Help center · Buying guide

How to buy a firearm safely

Private firearm purchases are completely legal in most states between same-state residents. They’re also the place where most firearms-classifieds scams happen. This guide walks through how to do it right.

01

Find a listing

Browse listings filtered to your state. Use the category, manufacturer, and caliber filters in the sidebar. Sort by newest to catch fresh inventory; sort by price for budget hunts. Save a search to get a daily email when new matches appear.
02

Vet the seller

On any listing detail page, you’ll see badges:
  • ✓ Phone verified — required for posting
  • ✓ In-state IP match — listing posted from this state
  • ✓ Account age — older accounts are lower-risk
  • ⚠ Out-of-state IP — proceed with caution
  • ⚠ New account — fewer than 7 days old
  • ⚠ Photos match prior listing — possible repost or stolen photos
Two-or-more warnings? Move on to a different listing.
03

Message through the platform

Use the "Contact seller" form. It relays your message via our messaging system — your email and phone stay private. Sellers’ contact info also stays private until you agree to meet.

Hard rule: if a seller pushes you off-platform to text or WhatsApp before you’ve agreed on terms, that’s a scam pattern. Stay on-platform until you’ve confirmed price and meet-up.

04

Agree on price + meet-up

Common patterns:
  • Price: cash on the spot, no haggling after meeting
  • Location: a public place — coffee shop parking lot, gun-shop lot, FFL transfer counter
  • Time: daytime, your schedule, never theirs only
  • Inspection: bring a flashlight, dummy snap caps, function-check the action
05

At the meet-up

  • Both of you should be 21+ for handguns, 18+ for long guns (varies by state)
  • Both should be the same-state residents — verify state ID
  • Inspect the firearm cleared (action open, mag out)
  • Function-check trigger reset, mag insertion, slide release
  • Pay only after you’ve inspected and accepted
  • Cash only, count both ways
  • If your state requires a bill of sale, both parties sign and date
06

If your state requires FFL routing

In CA, NY, NJ, MA, IL, CT, MD, DC, HI, WA, and PA-handguns: the transfer must go through a licensed FFL. Both parties bring the firearm to the dealer, who runs the NICS check on the buyer and processes the paperwork. Typical fee: $25–$75. The platform shows a list of FFL dealers in your state.

Red flags — never proceed if

Selling guide →Avoiding scams →