Searching for the Best Place to Pawn a Gun

A lot of people think of owning a gun as essential for protection. They don’t think of doing anything else with the gun other than taking it to the firing range for practice and having it on hand for “just in case.” But a gun is actually a very valuable possession. You can sell it or pawn it to get money you need fast. You just need to know where to go to get the best deals, and you need to know what the rules are for selling or pawning a gun.

Here’s what you need to know about taking your gun to a local pawn shop in Mesa or elsewhere in Arizona:

What to Look for in a Pawn Shop

Any business that buys or sells guns is required to be a Federal Firearms Licensee. If you are going to sell or pawn a gun, you must work with a pawn store that is licensed. Otherwise, you could end up in hot water yourself. The gun could end up in the wrong hands, and the chain of ownership could be traced back to you, leaving you with some awkward questions to answer.

In addition to making sure the Mesa pawn shop is licensed, you should also make sure the pawn shop buys the kind of guns you want to sell and that it offers the best prices. You’ll get a little more when you pawn the gun since the pawn store makes a profit on the interest. If you are selling the gun, the pawn shop has to offer you less to make room for re-sale profit. Ask around and do a little research online to find out what kind of experience others have had with the pawn shop.

What Types of Guns are Pawned

You can pawn just about any kind of gun you own so long as you find the right gun pawn shop. Some pawn stores trade in rare and antique guns, as well, and you can typically get top dollar for this. But most pawn shops that buy and sell guns will trade in anything that’s currently on the market. The gun should be in good condition and should be working properly.

If you have any questions about whether your gun will be accepted, either check out the website or call ahead to ask. Know that whatever gun you pawn, the pawn store should have the ability to store it securely. You shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of your gun while you are paying back the loan.

The Pawn Process

Before you head down to your local pawn shop with your gun, you should completely unload the gun and put it in a protective case. Be prepared to show your identification. The pawn shop will run your name and the gun to ensure that you are legally permitted to own the gun and that the gun is not stolen.

Your gun should have a serial number. If it does not, the pawn shop will not accept it. The employees may even put a call in to report the gun since it is illegal for a gun to not have a serial number.