What due diligence to privately sell a 4.5mm BB air pistol?

[Mario149]

I've listed a 4.5mm BB air pistol for sale on Gunstar - this is the first time I've sold an item like this, is there any due diligence I have to do on the purchaser? Does the transaction have to be face to face so I can see they're 18+? Or can I just post it? Should I ask them for proof of age?

[eccles]

i know there are restrictions on posting air weapons, so I'd check if BB guns fall into that category, or have any other restrictions on them.
I'd certainly check the rules on ownership of BB guns before selling, and if there are age restrictions, ask them for some sort of proof (like a photo of a driving licence etc).

[paintman]

"Remember: You DO NOT have to be a registered firearms dealer (RFD) to sell your airgun as part of a private transaction, and this transaction DOES NOT have to be 'face to face' (unless the airgun is FAC-rated)- though you must ensure the buyer is over 18."
https://www.airgunshooting.co.uk/classifieds/place...

Seems bizarre that to buy from a shop that has to be an RFD it has to be a face to face transaction either with that RFD OR an RFD nearer to you that the first can send it to but that joe public only has to ensure the buyer is over 18.
But I suppose our law makers knew what's best for us.

How you can be absolutely sure that the person you believe you are selling to is actually the person they purport to be & that anything they send to you in support of that is not fake or a forgery without actually seeing them in person is beyond me.
Or am I just old & cynical? (Rhetorical question as the answer is 'yes' to both )

Edited by paintman on Sunday 6th January 12:05