Auctioneers sometimes become involved with raffling a firearm … at a benefit, charity or other similar event.
If the organization owns the gun being raffled, and all other laws are being followed in that particular state about raffles, that organization can likely raffle that firearm as a “private sale” meaning only in-state transfers.
If a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) is involved with this raffle, basically the FFL can either transfer the firearm to the representative of the organization and they can proceed with their “private sale,” or the FFL can maintain the firearm in inventory — and transfer the firearm to the raffle winner with possession taking place at the licensee’s licensed location.
One advantage of the FFL maintaining possession is the raffle winner can be an out of state resident although possession may need to be completed with a transfer to an FFL in his/her state of residence, along with any other state-specific paperwork.
Here is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives article with details regarding licensees and the raffling of firearms: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/how-may-licensee-participate-raffling-firearms-unlicensed-organization.
The options for raffling a firearm are not that different from firearm laws generally. Private transfers can take place in-state and background checks and out-of-state sales can (typically) be facilitated by properly involving a Federal Firearms Licensee.
Firearm laws in the United States begin with federal laws which apply to all 50 states in the United States. Then, essentially a state or local political subdivision could (can) create further burdens to purchase so long as generally, those additional requirements do not create an undue burden.
We’ve written about firearm laws several times including our well-known article from 2016: https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/15-things-about-auctioneers-and-guns/.
Raffles are often used in fundraisers all across the United States. With particular attention to federal firearm laws as well as any local laws, firearms can be raffled creating both interest and benefits to the organization sponsoring the event.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy and America’s Auction Academy. He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by the The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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