So, you’re thinking of pawning a gun with us? Great! Let’s go over a few differences between pawning a regular item and pawning a firearm. It’s fairly simple, but the differences are important to know about.
It’s a Fed Thing
The first thing you should know is that, as a safety precaution, the government keeps records of transactions involving a firearm. Chances are, if you’ve purchased a firearm in the past, you’re familiar with this. We know, it’s an extra complication, but the idea is to do our homework at the outset to avoid unnecessary complications later.
Required Forms and Background Checks
Because of this, anyone that purchases a gun fills out a 4473 Form as part of the process; this includes, among other things, a background check. If you’re a gun aficionado, you’re probably very familiar with this process. But did you know that you’ll also be asked to fill out this form at the end of your pawn deal before you reclaim your gun?
State Law
It’s also important to be aware of state regulations regarding gun transactions. However, as Texans, we’re in luck: as long as you are 18 or above and are not a felon, Texas law considers you in the clear.
Safety
The co-founder of PawnGuru points out that it’s also a good idea to make sure you deliver gun in a safe manner. Really, it’s a simple matter of following gun safety basics: make sure it’s unloaded and locked, and “secure in its locked case,” David advises. Above all, treat the gun like it’s loaded, as you always do.
Conclusion
Besides these few differences, you should find the process of pawning a firearm similar to other pawning experiences in most other respects. The process shouldn’t be terribly complicated once you know what to expect.
And, as with any item you’re going to pawn, be sure to familiarize yourself with the value of the firearm you want to pawn, if you haven’t already. This will ensure the best deal for you.
We hope we’ve provided you with the resources to make a more informed decision for your particular situation. Please comment below with any questions, and do come see us soon!
Image: Mitch Barrie
Katherine
5 years agoMy husband pawned 2 of my guns while i was out of state. He needed the money for an emergency. They never asked him if he was the registered owner or if he had permission to pawn them not did they explain to him that he would have to fill out the paperwork as if he were buying a fire arm when he came back to t then it if pawn. He was denied after he filled out the paper work. They would not let me get them out of pawn because it would be considered a “straw purchase” even though the guns are mine and are registered to me. So they kept my guns and did not offer to pay a reasonable price for them. My husband awned 2 guns worth over a thousand dollars total for only $300. They just kept them. It seems to me they probably keep a lot of guns this way. Is that legal?
Crissie B
5 years agoUnfortunately, this is within the law. It is illegal to let someone, in this case the wife, pick up the firearms to circumvent the law. Technically, if an ffl holder knows that someone in the household is not allowed to own a firearm, the ffl holder cannot knowingly transfer one to someone in that household. You can contact the atf or the occc if you would like to pursue it further. Additionally, there is no such thing as registration for firearms in Texas.