Reader question, asked April 2025
Short answer: You can if your local laws allow it, but you’ll usually get more money selling the parts or the guns privately and donating that.
The details
- Buybacks usually pay a flat amount, often a gift card, no matter what the gun is worth.
- Read the event’s rules first. Some only accept working, serialized guns. Some states also regulate unserialized home builds.
- Selling the parts, or selling complete guns through a dealer, usually brings in more money for the cause.
- Some gun owners do this on purpose as a statement. Either way, how you raise the money is your call.
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