Posted: 4/28/2025 12:00:04 AM EDT
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I’m new to TN, so I would like to know what to expect and what is expected of me when buying, selling, and bartering guns. I’ll be at the Crossville Flea Market for starters and I don’t want to piss anyone off. When I buy, will the seller expect any proof of who I am? When selling, will the buyer be offended if I ask for ID? Will they be upset if I ask for a permit? I understand here in TN, private sellers and buyers do not need to undergo background checks or keep records. I won’t keep records, I love the freedom! |
| Welcome to Tennessee! If you are a legal resident of Tennessee you need a Tennessee driver license or ID. That’s all you need. You need to verify your buyer has a Tennessee ID as well. |
I think one of the major problems with America today is not enough families sit down to a big plate of squirrels momma just fried up.
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State law aside. OP, just make sure you’re “not engaged in the business of” buying, selling, etc. of firearms. In other words, not having an FFL when you should. In all fairness, this is a HUGE grey area. But flea markets are prime areas that get scrutinized by the feds. A lot will depend on how often you’re there doing your buying/selling. Again, this is a grey area as to how often you’re there. Several years ago there were a couple of guys here locally that were at Green Acres flea market selling and buying out of the trunk of their car and they ended up in a world of shit with the ATF. |
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Originally Posted By xciapup: Share with us a link to that statute please. I'm curious if this is codified as well. I've operated under the same method as bodybagger that you need to ensure you're not conducting an inter-state sale with someone, but the onus of being otherwise legal to purchase the weapon is on the buyer. It makes sense in my head, however in practice, isn't the onus of being a TN resident also on the buyer if you're a TN resident selling a firearm in TN? |
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Originally Posted By kcobean: I'm curious if this is codified as well. I've operated under the same method as bodybagger that you need to ensure you're not conducting an inter-state sale with someone, but the onus of being otherwise legal to purchase the weapon is on the buyer. It makes sense in my head, however in practice, isn't the onus of being a TN resident also on the buyer if you're a TN resident selling a firearm in TN? Originally Posted By kcobean: Originally Posted By xciapup: Share with us a link to that statute please. I'm curious if this is codified as well. I've operated under the same method as bodybagger that you need to ensure you're not conducting an inter-state sale with someone, but the onus of being otherwise legal to purchase the weapon is on the buyer. It makes sense in my head, however in practice, isn't the onus of being a TN resident also on the buyer if you're a TN resident selling a firearm in TN? It's not codified in state law as far as i know. That is just the going protocol of everyone trading at the gun shows so they don't get stuck in some alphabet honey pot. It has served well as long as you're not "engaged in the business" as stated before. |
I think one of the major problems with America today is not enough families sit down to a big plate of squirrels momma just fried up.
Joined:
Feb 2025
Posts:
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TN, USA
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I recently bought a hand gun at Ruel King in Crossville. I have a permit. It's not required. I just handed my drivers license then filled out the required form on the computer. (Are you a American citizen....etc) Then I grabbed a few boxes of shells and paid the man. I was out the door in 20 minutes. |
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Originally Posted By DonAdams: I recently bought a hand gun at Ruel King in Crossville. I have a permit. It's not required. I just handed my drivers license then filled out the required form on the computer. (Are you a American citizen....etc) Then I grabbed a few boxes of shells and paid the man. I was out the door in 20 minutes.  Red Dawn form 4473 |
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Originally Posted By kcobean: I'm curious if this is codified as well. I've operated under the same method as bodybagger that you need to ensure you're not conducting an inter-state sale with someone, but the onus of being otherwise legal to purchase the weapon is on the buyer. It makes sense in my head, however in practice, isn't the onus of being a TN resident also on the buyer if you're a TN resident selling a firearm in TN? Originally Posted By kcobean: I'm curious if this is codified as well. I've operated under the same method as bodybagger that you need to ensure you're not conducting an inter-state sale with someone, but the onus of being otherwise legal to purchase the weapon is on the buyer. It makes sense in my head, however in practice, isn't the onus of being a TN resident also on the buyer if you're a TN resident selling a firearm in TN? Originally Posted By bodybagger: Welcome to Tennessee! If you are a legal resident of Tennessee you need a Tennessee driver license or ID. That’s all you need. You need to verify your buyer has a Tennessee ID as well. Originally Posted By xciapup: Share with us a link to that statute please. The constitution. Not being a smart ass. In TN, just confirm state residency with an ID. A permit holder has a better chance of not being a felon. |
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Originally Posted By bodybagger: It's not codified in state law as far as i know. That is just the going protocol of everyone trading at the gun shows so they don't get stuck in some alphabet honey pot. It has served well as long as you're not "engaged in the business" as stated before. I've lost money on every gun i have sold. Not much of a business model. |
Joined:
Feb 2025
Posts:
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EE: 0% (0)
TN, USA
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If I was living in California or New York yeah then I agree with you. But Tennessee? This is America!! 
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Originally Posted By DonAdams: If I was living in California or New York yeah then I agree with you. But Tennessee? This is America!! Originally Posted By DonAdams: If I was living in California or New York yeah then I agree with you. But Tennessee? This is America!! I only posted this in jest, however……. Look at the major metropolitan area in TN. *For now*, yes, TN is red. But with the latest influx of Yankees and others from blue states, this very easily can change. Look at VA. The several most northern counties control state politics. TN might not be far behind. |
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Originally Posted By rebel_rifle: I only posted this in jest, however……. Look at the major metropolitan area in TN. *For now*, yes, TN is red. But with the latest influx of Yankees and others from blue states, this very easily can change. Look at VA. The several most northern counties control state politics. TN might not be far behind. Originally Posted By rebel_rifle: Originally Posted By DonAdams: If I was living in California or New York yeah then I agree with you. But Tennessee? This is America!! I only posted this in jest, however……. Look at the major metropolitan area in TN. *For now*, yes, TN is red. But with the latest influx of Yankees and others from blue states, this very easily can change. Look at VA. The several most northern counties control state politics. TN might not be far behind. 
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“America is a whorehouse where the revolutionary ideals of your forefathers are corrupted and sold in alleys by vendors of capitalism.”
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All I've ever done is ask if they are a Tennessee resident. If they say yes, they hand me money, I hand them the firearm and go about my day. There have been times when I've been asked if I'm a resident when buying something second hand. Sometimes not. No biggie to me either way. Never asked for a driver's license or carry permit as proof. The wife being from NY originally can't grasp the concept of it. It's kind of funny. But she is finally after 25 years understanding freedom. |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
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Originally Posted By rebel_rifle: I only posted this in jest, however……. Look at the major metropolitan area in TN. *For now*, yes, TN is red. But with the latest influx of Yankees and others from blue states, this very easily can change. Look at VA. The several most northern counties control state politics. TN might not be far behind. The rural areas far outnumber the 4 larger cities in Tennessee population wise. Tennessee will be red for a long time. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga may be blue inside the city limits, but quickly turns red outside of the city limits. Nashville, LaVergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro may be considered one city now. But outside those areas, they are red. |
I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals.
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis
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Originally Posted By 50cal: All I've ever done is ask if they are a Tennessee resident. If they say yes, they hand me money, I hand them the firearm and go about my day. There have been times when I've been asked if I'm a resident when buying something second hand. Sometimes not. No biggie to me either way. Never asked for a driver's license or carry permit as proof. The wife being from NY originally can't grasp the concept of it. It's kind of funny. But she is finally after 25 years understanding freedom. I understand freedom. However I'll be asking for a permit. |