1) If you see people coming to sell in the parking lot, then you buy face to face 2) You will take a loss on the prices ---- so if you are starting out you need to buy face to face to begin. 3) Yes. Great reason to not keep all your eggs in a single hen house.
Better to find them in the newspaper or online. Where I live, since background checks are required at gunshows, they have made it required to get the background check if the deal is made anywhere on the premises, even in the parking lot, even if you buy it later in private.
I am an LEO and am stuck knowing that if they come to take they will have a list of some of what I have. I will give them what I know is on the list. Why to fight later. I will also help myself to other things that I can get as I leave my employment.
A lot better than a single shot 12.. It depends on how long one has been into firearms and what type firearms they collected.