If you’re interested in adding a new firearm to your collection, there are multiple avenues through which you can go for your purchase, from private sales to purchases from registered dealers. But if you have a local pawn shop, you might be able to get some good deals on pre-owned guns, or even find some antique or otherwise hard-to-find firearms.
Of course, buying pawned guns in Olathe, KS is a different experience from visiting a dedicated gun store. Here are a few of the things you should think about when going to a pawn shop for your gun purchase.
Licensure issues
Any time you’re looking to purchase a firearm, it’s important that you are aware of the gun sale laws in your state. While it’s incumbent on anyone selling a firearm to follow state law, it’s still important for you to be aware of these laws as well so you don’t inadvertently end up purchasing an illegally sold firearm, which could result in the sale being revoked.
Pawn shops must have proper licensure to be able to legally sell firearms. Most states do not require a background check if the seller isn’t a licensed gun dealer, but almost all states will have certain restrictions and regulations on private sales of firearms, which can include waiting periods, maintaining certain records and liability for any damage caused by the buyer using the gun. A pawn shop purchase will not allow you to get around your state’s firearm laws, because there are licenses required for pawn shops to sell firearms.
Quality issues
Another issue that can arise when purchasing weapons from a pawn shop is the quality of the gun itself. When you purchase a gun new, you can generally assume it will be in perfect operating condition. There’s a bit more risk of coming across a lemon when you go through a pawn shop and purchase a secondhand weapon.
To avoid purchasing a gun that is clearly defective, you should inspect it carefully before buying it. If allowed, see if you can dry fire the gun, or field strip it. Ask about other types of inspections you can make, including taking the grip off or inspecting certain parts. If you come across anything in your inspection that gives you pause, you should save your money and wait for a weapon to come through the shop that doesn’t come with any red flags.
Another reason to avoid purchases of iffy firearms from pawn shops is that many of these shops have a no return or exchange policy, meaning you’ll be on the hook for the purchase. There almost certainly won’t be any kind of warranty that will cover the gun, unless it’s still new enough that the initial warranty still applies even after transfer of ownership.
Looking for more tips about how to purchase firearms from a pawn shop? Get familiar with gun laws in Kansas and get in touch with Harrison Street Pawn with any questions you have about buying pawned guns.