TexasCHLforum.com

About 20 years ago, I decided an HK USP 45 was the thing for me. I went to a gun show in Kansas City and found a dealer (dealer table) with a nice selection of guns including the HK 45. He was willing to do a straight cash, no ID, no paperwork transaction. Ashamed to say, I did the deal. At first, I thought this was great but then after a few days/weeks thinking about it, I realized this gun could have been stolen, used in a crime and maybe traceable because of SN and ballistics testing. Instead of feeling I was getting away with something, I was starting to think I might be the patsy. The gun was no longer enjoyable. I sold it in the same method I bought it so for all practical purposes I never owned the gun. Time and distance is the only thing that lets me tell the story today.

My tips - insist on paperwork, IDs in both directions, detail dates and serial numbers. Get copies of everything and store them in a safe place when buying or selling. At least everyone knows everyone is on the level.