Understanding Armslist: Reasons Why This Is The Marketplace

The first time I laid eyes on Armslist (Armslist.com), I was hooked. Even if I couldn’t buy anything at the time, I still had the pleasure to browse tons of firearms and accessories and see how so many others were setting up their guns. It’s a rabbit hole from which you could look up and realize you’re in the next calendar day. Over the years, I have utilized this unique Second Amendment marketplace to buy, sell, and trade firearms and gear and have never had a single issue. But there are some misconceptions out there, and I figured we should talk about them. 

Armslist was founded by Jon Gibbon and Brian Mancini in 2007. The two met at the Air Force Academy and came up with the idea for Armslist after discovering that Craigslist was changing its policy to prohibit firearm-related ads. However, the road hasn’t always been an easy one as anti-Second Amendment groups have targeted the website on multiple occasions in their quest to pass the buck on criminal behavior and individual responsibility to serve their ultimate disarmament agenda. Unfortunately, this brand of discriminatory practice perpetrated by these groups with the help of activist judges is a storm that those of us in the firearms industry have learned to weather. 

Through it all, Armslist has never backed down, especially with the law on its side, but that hasn’t stopped actions like Webber v. Armslist LLC. This was a Wisconsin suit that sought to circumvent 47 U.S.C. § 230 and place liability on the company for the criminal actions of an individual who used the website to find a local seller. This abomination of a claim was dismissed originally based on 47 U.S.C. § 230 provisions, only to be reversed by a court of appeals. Ultimately, it was thrown out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Aside from having been on the front lines of Second Amendment and, frankly, First Amendment defense, Armlist is a corporate sponsor of the Second Amendment Foundation and the organization’s endeavor to protect American gun rights. 

As a marketplace, Armslist is friendly to both buyers and sellers, not charging transaction fees to either party, whether the seller is private or a registered vendor. Instead, the company tries to minimize fraudulent ads by charging a nominal monthly fee of $6.99 for private sellers or $2.99 with a military discount, a barrier most scammers will choose to avoid. Registered retail vendors pay a set $30 monthly fee or $300 annually, there is also a military discount for veteran-owned businesses that brings the cost all the way down to $12.99 per month. This structure is easy on both the private and commercial sides, especially with the absence of transaction fees piling up one after another. Make no mistake, buyers. You don’t pay a transaction fee on other sites, but you’re paying for it in the price of the items you purchase. 

I suggested a buyer/seller rating system to further secure transactions from scammers, and there are ways you can perform your own due diligence when dealing with an individual you are not familiar with. Most of them are common sense solutions, such as confirming feedback on other major firearm forums, auctions, and classifieds. I also try to avoid purchasing from accounts that are very new to the site, especially if they are offering a price that is too good to be true. You know the saying. 

Overwhelmingly, however, you’ll find like-minded, law-abiding gun owners on Armslist, and I’ve started some lasting friendships making deals on the site. Speaking of which, don’t be fooled by the media or ridiculous claims by leftist hacks. Whether you’re working with someone locally or across state lines, all state and federal rules apply. There isn’t any free ride just because Armslist exists on the internet. If you live in a free state where local deals are at the discretion of the buyer and seller, then you’re all set. If not, you’ll still need to visit a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) to complete the transaction. If you’re shipping across state lines, then federal rules apply, and all firearms need to be sent to the buyer’s chosen FFL, where they will undergo the same background check and fill out the same 4473 as they would have at your local store. 

Armslist has been a great tool over the years, if not for the fact that I’m always wondering what might be new on the site rather than doing other things that need to get done. The company highlights great online deals and posts notices for giveaways, all of which can be accessed from the site’s home page. There are countless private party classifieds and official dealer ads to browse free of charge, and the low membership fee is great when you want to post a listing of your own, contact people about their listings through the messenger system, or throw your support behind a pro-Second Amendment company that made such a marketplace possible when others wouldn’t. Have fun, be safe out there, and happy gun shopping.

About the Author: Darwin Nercesian is a long-time gun rights advocate and shooter of targets far, far away. As the News Field Editor at Firearms News, Darwin writes about the Second Amendment, firearms, and related gear. Follow him on Instagram, X, and YouTube @DTOE_Official.

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