Safe Trading Guidelines

Effective date: April 5, 2026

ShooterBoard (shooterboard.com) is a classifieds and messaging platform. ShooterBoard is not a party to any transaction, does not verify users, items, pricing, or legality, and does not provide buyer protection, seller guarantees, or escrow services.

You are responsible for your own safety. Use common sense. If something feels off, walk away. There will always be another deal.

1. Meeting in Person

  • Meet in public places with security cameras whenever possible — busy parking lots, coffee shops, bank lobbies, or police station safe-trade zones
  • Avoid late-night, secluded, or unfamiliar meetup locations
  • Bring a friend or let someone know where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return
  • Do not invite strangers to your home or go to a stranger’s home
  • Keep initial communications inside the platform’s messaging system until you have enough confidence in the other party
  • Trust your instincts — if a situation feels wrong, leave

2. Payment Safety

  • Do not send advance payment to strangers — this is one of the most common scam tactics
  • Be cautious of pressure tactics: “pay now or I’ll sell to someone else,” “wire the money today,” “deposit required to hold”
  • Be suspicious of deals that are significantly below market value — if it seems too good to be true, it usually is
  • Understand the risks and limitations of any payment method you choose (cash, money orders, electronic payments)
  • Avoid unusual payment requests — gift cards, cryptocurrency to unknown wallets, wire transfers to foreign accounts
  • For in-person deals, cash in hand at the time of exchange is generally the safest method
  • Keep records of all payment communications and confirmations

3. Shipping Safety

If you choose to ship items:

  • Use tracked and insured shipping — keep all receipts and tracking numbers
  • Photograph the item and packaging thoroughly before shipment
  • Do not accept unusual shipping requests: different recipient names, rerouting after shipment, “gift” labels to avoid duties, P.O. boxes when a physical address was expected
  • Clearly agree in advance on what happens if a package is delayed, damaged, or lost
  • If shipping a firearm, you must follow all applicable federal and state shipping laws — this typically means shipping to an FFL in the buyer’s state of residence
  • Do not use shipping methods that violate carrier policies (USPS, UPS, and FedEx each have specific rules for firearms and ammunition)

4. Verify What You Can

  • Ask clear, specific questions about the item: model, caliber, condition, round count, modifications, what is included
  • Request additional photos showing serial numbers (if applicable), overall condition, and any wear or damage
  • Compare photos and descriptions against known specifications — watch for stock photos or photos copied from other listings
  • If the seller cannot or will not provide basic information, consider it a red flag
  • Save all messages, screenshots, and records of your communications for your own protection

5. Follow the Law

  • You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
  • If a law requires a licensed FFL dealer, background check, waiting period, permit, or registration for the transfer — follow that process before any handoff
  • Interstate firearms transfers generally require going through an FFL in the buyer’s state of residence
  • Do not ask others to bypass legal requirements, and do not agree to bypass them yourself
  • If you are unsure about the correct legal process, use an FFL transfer — it is usually the safest and cleanest option
  • Review the ATF Links & Federal Basics page and the FFL Transfer Checklist on this site for additional guidance

6. Common Scam Patterns to Watch For

Red flags that suggest a scam:

  • Seller or buyer refuses to provide clear photos, details, or answers to reasonable questions
  • Extreme pressure to act immediately or pay before seeing the item
  • Price dramatically below market value with a rushed or emotional story
  • Request to move the conversation off-platform immediately (to email, text, or encrypted chat)
  • Seller claims to be military deployed, out of town, or otherwise unable to meet or show the item
  • Payment by wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency to unknown wallets, or other hard-to-reverse methods
  • Overpayment followed by a request to refund the difference
  • Requests for personal information beyond what is needed for the transaction (SSN, date of birth, bank login)
  • Listing is vague, uses stock photos, or description is copy-pasted from a manufacturer’s website without specific details about the actual item

If you see any of these patterns, stop the transaction and report it.

7. How to Report Problems

If you encounter scams, prohibited items, suspicious behavior, or rule violations, report it.

Email: info@shooterboard.com

Include:

  • Link to the listing or user profile
  • What happened (short and specific)
  • Screenshots or saved message history (if available)

8. Emergency

If you believe you are in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement (911) immediately.

Do not rely on a report to ShooterBoard as a substitute for contacting emergency services.