ChesterP
Well-Known Member
Was almost caught out today when selling one of my rifles. The buyer wanted it sent via RFD as he was too far away to collect. I had misunderstood the whole RFD to RFD process so a cautionary tale here folks, and choose to do what you will, but this was what happened:
I brought the rifle to my RFD and he had details of the RFD it was to be sent to. Perfect I thought, now just the paperwork and we're done. Not so. My RFD piped up with "have you marked this up on the buyers certificate because if not, I can't send it on, that's the law?"
That threw me because I thought that the rifle stayed in my ownership until the person buying had transferred the funds and that the RFD "took possession" hence I am passing to his stewardship, hence I thought he provided me with details confirming that I had transferred the rifle to him, then he would do the same with the receiving RFD, who in turn would do the same with the buyer, so I could notify the police that I had transferred the firearm to the RFD. Not so. I checked with the Gun Trade Association via a call from my RFD and confirmation was received that RFD's act as couriers (receivers and senders only) and do not take legal possession, therefore if sending via RFD or receiving, the normal rules apply: ie you have to receive the buyers certificate by mail, fill in the relevant section, then post it back to him. He then presents it to the receiving RFD who can then legally transfer the rifle to the new owner.
You learn something new every day. I mention this as a cautionary tale because plenty I know don't do it this way, they just leave with their RFD who is happy to transfer onto their possession then the RFD at the other end does the same, but strictly speaking, that's not legal because you are not selling to the RFDs (this was how it was explained to me anyway).
It just means that a few extra days need to be planned for when transferring firearms to new owners using this system to ensure you have the paperwork in order (and use guaranteed special delivery for everything!).
I'm probably teaching granny to suck eggs but thought this worth mentioning in case others were caught out.
I brought the rifle to my RFD and he had details of the RFD it was to be sent to. Perfect I thought, now just the paperwork and we're done. Not so. My RFD piped up with "have you marked this up on the buyers certificate because if not, I can't send it on, that's the law?"
That threw me because I thought that the rifle stayed in my ownership until the person buying had transferred the funds and that the RFD "took possession" hence I am passing to his stewardship, hence I thought he provided me with details confirming that I had transferred the rifle to him, then he would do the same with the receiving RFD, who in turn would do the same with the buyer, so I could notify the police that I had transferred the firearm to the RFD. Not so. I checked with the Gun Trade Association via a call from my RFD and confirmation was received that RFD's act as couriers (receivers and senders only) and do not take legal possession, therefore if sending via RFD or receiving, the normal rules apply: ie you have to receive the buyers certificate by mail, fill in the relevant section, then post it back to him. He then presents it to the receiving RFD who can then legally transfer the rifle to the new owner.
You learn something new every day. I mention this as a cautionary tale because plenty I know don't do it this way, they just leave with their RFD who is happy to transfer onto their possession then the RFD at the other end does the same, but strictly speaking, that's not legal because you are not selling to the RFDs (this was how it was explained to me anyway).
It just means that a few extra days need to be planned for when transferring firearms to new owners using this system to ensure you have the paperwork in order (and use guaranteed special delivery for everything!).
I'm probably teaching granny to suck eggs but thought this worth mentioning in case others were caught out.