Cheaper, older guns trending at gun auctions
John Tamlin of Lonsdales Auctioneers has spotted a growing trend for gun buyers to buy up cheaper, older guns. There is increasing competition for purchasing these guns for export.
In many cases the guns are then shipped out to the USA, which was the second largest importer of cartridges and shotguns from the UK in 2023. (Source: Statista.)
What is behind the popularity of cheaper, older guns in US market?
Gun market in the USA
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) says: “The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) generally prohibits the importation of firearms, firearm frames or receivers, firearm barrels and ammunition into the United States. However, the GCA creates several narrow categories of firearms the Attorney General shall authorize for importation. In general, the GCA provides in Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 44, Section 925 that firearms or ammunition may be imported into the United States:
(1) for the purpose of scientific testing or research or for competition training under the provisions of Title 10, Chapter 401;
(2) as unserviceable firearms, other than a machine gun as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5844, (not readily restorable to firing condition) if imported as a curio or museum piece;
(3) if the firearms or ammunition are of a type generally recognised as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to “sporting purposes”.
Time to sell an old gun?
The demand for cheaper, older guns creates an opportunity for sellers to realise the value of any such firearms they may own by putting them into auction and benefitting from the capital raised.
John Tamlin says: “Lonsdales will be holding an early spring sale in 2025 focusing on this market and hopefully a clear-out of low-priced older guns will realign future values.”
Interested parties should contact john@lonsdales-auctioneers.com with details.