Under Federal law, an individual can buy/sell/transfer a firearm to another resident of the same state without going through a FFL. Thus in "free" states that have no restrictive state laws, you can sell guns face to face with nothing needed other than a willing buyer and seller, provided that there is no known impediment to firearm ownership (you can't sell to a known felon). It's a good idea to to see driver's licenses to verify that both parties are residents of the same state.

Here, there is a local (statewide) gun forum with a very active classified section. There is also a statewide sportsmans magazine with an active classified. You can also get a table at a gun show as an individual and sell your stuff. These are all ways to get legitimate fair market value for your guns without paying a commission. I'd assume that most "free" states have similar opportunities.

All that to say that you're probably better off taking your guns with you and selling after you settle in Idaho.

UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME GUNS THAT ARE GRANDFATHERED IN ILLINOIS THAT YOU COULD SELL THERE, THAT CAN EXCLUSIVELY BE PURCHASED IF ALREADY IN THE STATE LEGALLY. I don't know if Illinois has that sort of list or system, but if so then those guns would demand a premium in Illinois that you wouldn't get selling them elsewhere.

Try your local IL Gun forums.

May I ask the reason for Idaho? Do you have a connection there? If not, take a look at SD, closer, rates well with retirement metrics.

If you want to sell some firearms, Bauer Auction in Mattoon is a good place.

I wouldn’t sell anything on Marketplace. Too many stories lately of people being targeted by thieves.

A couple of decent firearms auction houses are Amoskeag Auction and Rock Island Auction.

Other than wanting to not take anything but the shirt on your back and some clean skivvies why not take them with you out west.

Unless you're going to CA, which wouldn't make sense escaping IL to go there, most all states are gun friendly. Hold them until the market turns and you can get a better price.

Local dealers are going to cut them in half, so if you're up to dumping them just getting what you can and getting rid of them that's a way to go.

Or trade them in on something you really want and take that one or two special pieces with you, there isn't a state on the way to Idaho that won't let you transport.

Audio equipment, FB Marketplace is really a good place to sell things like that, from Cars to table knick knacks. FB has it's issues but it's really not the devil and could help you find a really interested buyer, just join up some audio groups on there, login get acquainted and then pop the question.

quote:

Other than wanting to not take anything but the shirt on your back and some clean skivvies why not take them with you out west.

I was thinking that as well.

quote:

The time has come to get out of this HELL HOLE of IL. I don't like the writing on the walls.

Lon,
Congrats on getting out of Chicago.
Email sent.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Unless you're going to CA, which wouldn't make sense escaping IL to go there, most all states are gun friendly.

Nothing on the Pacific coast is gun friendly anymore, unless you're thinking about Alaska. Oregon and Washington are in a race to see which can be the first to out-crazy California, and 2A restrictions are at or near the top of their agendas. That and inventing new taxes. So far, Washington is leading the race. The "writing on the walls" was the biggest reason why I retired early and escaped from Oregon three years ago. Best decision I ever made.

For gun friendly options, Idaho is good as are Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. Utah and Nevada are, I think, pretty decent. Colorado, not so much.

Shipping costs for stereo equipment will be very high, due to size and weight. You’ll want to sell them locally if possible.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Other than wanting to not take anything but the shirt on your back and some clean skivvies why not take them with you out west.

Unless you're going to CA, which wouldn't make sense escaping IL to go there, most all states are gun friendly. Hold them until the market turns and you can get a better price.

Agree on taking with, and most western states are better than CA, but I would NOT consider any western coastal state. While WA and OR may not (currently) be as bad or worse than CA, it isn’t for lack or trying and their direction on gun laws seems to be exactly the wrong way. I’d also cast a critical eye on NM before considering it. ID, MT, WY, sure no problem. AZ likely the same, though it is starting to look more purple politically. Hopefully their attitudes toward guns don’t change. NV is a lot more sane on guns than CA, but it seems to be in the process of being “Kaliforniacated” and I’d also look hard at where they are and where they seem to be headed before considering settling there.

YMMV, but I’d be cautious. The cancer that is well on the way to consume CA is working hard to metastasize wherever it can…

ETA: After seeing Expert308’s post, my apologies to Alaska. In my comment on avoiding all west coast states I was stuck in a CONUS mindset and completely forgot Alaska is also a west coast state. I’d guess they are a lot more sane about a lot of things than their “lower brothers”. The weather and daylight shift might require a little adjustment, but I wouldn’t expect any stupid gun laws there.

Lifetime ESS speakers fan here. Couldn’t have picked more impractical choice from my location.


Out of curiosity, what have you got?

0-0

Ampzilla and Thaedra?

I had an SAE parametric EQ that I wish I still had.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Unless you're going to CA, which wouldn't make sense escaping IL to go there, most all states are gun friendly.

Nothing on the Pacific coast is gun friendly anymore, unless you're thinking about Alaska. Oregon and Washington are in a race to see which can be the first to out-crazy California, and 2A restrictions are at or near the top of their agendas. That and inventing new taxes. So far, Washington is leading the race. The "writing on the walls" was the biggest reason why I retired early and escaped from Oregon three years ago. Best decision I ever made.

For gun friendly options, Idaho is good as are Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. Utah and Nevada are, I think, pretty decent. Colorado, not so much.

That's true I should have been a bit more specific and said "other than the coastal states... But the Commies in CA were moving north when I lived in CA back in the 80's many "escaping" CA to Seattle and Portland, but they bring their mentality with them and ruined both states.

NV, ID, WY, MT, ND, SD are good states as is TX , FL and TN.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Ampzilla and Thaedra?

I had an SAE parametric EQ that I wish I still had.

Son of Ampzilla
THOEBE

quote:

Originally posted by 0-0:
Lifetime ESS speakers fan here. Couldn’t have picked more impractical choice from my location.


Out of curiosity, what have you got?

0-0

Concept CE1 speakers
Heil air motion transformer
10" woofer
12" passive radiator

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
May I ask the reason for Idaho? Do you have a connection there? If not, take a look at SD, closer, rates well with retirement metrics.

I have zeroed in on Idaho because of a milder Winter climate and it being a Gun friendly state and will REMAIN so.
I have no connection there. I have been retired for several years.

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
And what firearms do you want to sell?
I still have never owned a Garand.

I hope you will someday buy a Garand, however it will not be mine. The Garand is on my never sell list.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
If you have a bit of patience left, there's "rumor" that Classifieds is coming back.

I would wait for that.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Lon, you probably know the Chicago coppers on here. Maybe they'd have interest in some of your firearms and other Chicagoland members...I know there are several. I don't know what the rules are selling to other FOID holders in IL.

Good luck with everything and I'm happy to hear you're getting out.

Thanks Carl, as you know this Chicago area, you can appreciate my caution as to mentioning specific firearms on any open forum or anybody connected here.
What was once legal is no longer, What is legal in IL is not legal in Cook County, What was once legal in Cook county is not legal in Chicago.
A rabbit hole I have to pussy foot around very cautiously!