Highlights:
- You can legally sell guns in West Virginia without a license.
- West Virginia doesn’t ask for background checks in private gun sales.
- West Virginia doesn’t require permits to buy guns.
- Many local ranges will allow you to put up your gun for sale in their posting boards.
- Cash for Arms gives West Virginians one of the easiest ways to sell guns for high prices.
Step 1: Get familiar with West Virginia’s Gun Sale Laws
Both federal and state laws affect gun sales in West Virginia. We’ve explained what these laws boil down to below.
Can You Sell Guns in West Virginia without a License?
You can sell guns in West Virginia without a license. Private gun sales are legal in West Virginia as well.
Things change if you’re selling large volumes of guns to the point where it’s a business. In that case, you’re required to get an FFL or Federal Firearms License from the ATF.
Does West Virginia Require Background Checks on Gun Sales?
No, West Virginia doesn’t require background checks on gun sales. Federal law only requires them for gun sales made by dealers with FFLs.
At What Age Can People Buy Guns in West Virginia?
People can buy long guns at age 18 and handguns at age 21 in West Virginia. This is when buying from FFL dealers.
If buying from private sellers, the minimum age is 18 to buy both handguns and long guns here. W. Va. Code § 61-7-8 exempts these people from that rule, though:
- People under 18 who are already married
- People under 18 who have been emancipated
Is a Permit to Purchase Needed to Buy Guns in West Virginia?
No, a permit to purchase isn’t needed to buy guns in West Virginia.
Is a License Needed to Buy Guns in West Virginia?
No, a license isn’t needed to buy guns in West Virginia.
Do You Need Registration for Guns for Sale in West Virginia?
No, West Virginia does not have a gun registry.
Do You Need to Keep Gun Sale Records in West Virginia?
No, you don’t need to keep gun transaction records in West Virginia. However, we recommend documenting the sale with a Bill of Sale to protect yourself legally.
Are There Waiting Periods on Gun Sales in West Virginia?
No, there aren’t waiting periods on gun sales in West Virginia.
Are There Limits on Bulk Gun Purchases in West Virginia?
No, there aren’t limits on bulk gun purchases in West Virginia. A buyer can buy as many as he wants at any one time. The same goes for sellers.
However, if you want the best deal for a large gun collection, consider using liquidation services. This will help you stay legally compliant, and you won't have to worry about the ATF thinking you're "in the business" of selling guns- which requires a license.
Is There Preemption in West Virginia?
Yes, there’s preemption in West Virginia. Municipal governments can’t create their own restrictions on gun trading or possession.
The exceptions to this are mostly irrelevant to gun sellers. So, just look at the federal and state laws for regulations affecting your gun sale.
Who’s Not Allowed to Buy Guns in West Virginia?
These people aren’t allowed to buy guns in West Virginia under state and federal law:
- Illegal aliens
- Fugitives from justice
- Habitual addicts to alcohol
- Unlawful users or addicts to controlled substances
- Those who’ve renounced US citizenship
- Those subject to domestic violence protective orders
- Those who’ve been adjudicated mentally incompetent
- Those under 18 (with just a few exceptions)
- Those who’ve been involuntarily committed to mental institutions
- Those who’ve been discharged dishonorably from the armed forces
- Those who’ve been convicted of or are being indicted for felony crimes
- Those who’ve been convicted of misdemeanor assault or battery offenses
Note that prohibitions on this list don’t apply to those whose convictions have been expunged, set aside, or unconditionally pardoned.
In addition, W. Va. Code § 61-7-7(f) can remove the prohibitions on some people. They just have to successfully petition a circuit court to regain the right to have a gun.
Step 2: Get Your Firearm Ready for Sale
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Now you can get your gun ready to be looked over by eligible buyers in the state. Here’s how to do that.
Get It Appraised or Research Its Value Yourself
This is a must for the smart seller. Without it, you won’t know when someone is undercutting you in an offer.
If you know your gun’s make, model, and other details, do the research yourself. Go to GunBroker and other platforms to see successful sale prices for similar guns.
Another option is to get the gun appraised by pros. Most of the buyers in Step 3 of this guide will do this for you themselves. We even do it for free!
Clean It and Prep for Shipping or Travel
Two reasons you want to do this:
- Cleaner guns look better and get higher offers.
- Selling a gun will involve handing it over to someone else sooner or later.
So, as part of this process, keep the weapon unloaded with a clear chamber. Do all you can to reduce the odds of an accidental discharge.
Get a secure (preferably lockable) container ready for it too. This is in case you need to travel with the gun at some point. For example, you may need to bring it to a private buyer yourself.
Step 3: Where to Sell a Gun to a Legal Buyer in West Virginia
You have several paths to take for buyers here. Let’s check out how to sell to each one.
Path 1: Sell Your Gun to Cash for Arms in West Virginia
Cash for Arms is synonymous with high offers, smooth sales, and quick responses. We even send most sellers offers within 1 hour of being shown a gun!
If you want the best results with us, pack detail in your gun submission. You never know what can make an offer go up. It could be a rare finish or a premium accessory!
How to Sell to Us:
- Submit the gun on our site.
- Accept the offer we send afterwards.
- Send the gun to us with our prepaid shipping label.
- Collect your payment the way you want to. We have multiple options!
Path 2: Sell Your Gun to Private Persons in West Virginia
Want to sell on as many of your own terms as possible? It’s hard to beat this option then. The main drawback to private gun sales is just the time and effort they demand.
If you’re struggling to find local buyers, go to a range. There are a lot of busy ones in the state, like the Peacemaker National Training Center or White Horse ranges.
Ask if you can put your gun up on their posting boards. You can even do some good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth! Another option is to use online platforms like Guns West Virginia.
How to sell your gun to a private person:
- Screen your buyers to make sure they’re allowed to buy guns in the state.
- Compare the offers for the eligible buyers.
- Finalize the terms for the one with the top offer.
- Do the sale in a public place.
Path 3: Sell Your Gun to a West Virginia Gun Store
If you have a lot of local stores that buy used guns, this could be a good option. You’ll get options for trade-in, in-person negotiation, and on-the-spot payment.
Be ready to bring your gun to stores for assessment. Want a tip to prevent wary responses when bringing out a gun at a store? If you can, open the action and run a chamber flag through it.
How to Sell to a Gun Store:
- Get the gun appraised at each store you’re considering selling to.
- Compare the stores’ offers (but get as many offers as you can first).
- Sell the gun to the store with the best offer.
Path 4: Sell Your Gun to a West Virginia Pawn Shop
Pawn shops with Type 02 FFLs are allowed to buy used guns in West Virginia. They pay on the spot too if they like your gun, so they’re another option for fast sales.
However, it’s standard for pawn shops to offer sellers the lowest prices of all. That means we only recommend going to them if you’re completely out of options.
How to Sell to a Pawn Shop:
- Get the gun appraised at the pawn shops you’re considering.
- Compare pawnbrokers’ offers (but get as many offers as possible first).
- Sell the gun to the pawn shop with the best offer.
Conclusion
That should tell you all you need to know about selling guns in West Virginia. If you want an easy sale process and great offers, consider us for your sale.
At Cash for Arms, we even let West Virginians sell guns from the comfort of home. It’s one of the smoothest ways to dispose of firearms you no longer want for a nice bit of money.