Firearm Bill of Sale Forms by State
What Is a Firearm Bill of Sale?
A Firearm Bill of Sale - also called a Gun Bill of Sale - is a legal document that records the sale of firearms, such as pistols, shotguns, rifles, grenade launchers, and others. The document serves as proof of payment and acts as a receipt documenting where and when the sale was performed, protecting both parties in case of a disagreement.
These forms can be subdivided into more specific categories and carry a name corresponding to the type of gun being sold (including Bills of Sale for handguns, rifles, used firearms, and so forth).
A customizable Firearm Bill of Sale template can be found through this link.
Federal Firearms License (FFL) Types
The Federal Firearms License - or the FFL - is a license that is given to shops and businesses that deal with gun sales. This is a permissive document that allows selling firearms legally. In a private sale, this document is usually not needed, unless local laws specifically require it. In case of buying a gun out of state, however, this license is obligatory. To apply for an FFL, you have to address the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) , but you need to know what type of a Federal Firearm License is needed in your case.
We have divided the ten FFL types into subcategories of license holders:
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FFL for Dealers:
- Type 1 – Dealer in firearms other than destructive devices;
- Type 2 – Pawnbroker in firearms other than destructive devices;
- Type 9 – Dealer in destructive devices.
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FFL for Manufacturers:
- Type 5 – Manufacturer of ammunition for firearms (covers all ammunition and reloading components except for armor-piercing and destructive devices ammunition);
- Type 6 – Manufacturer of ammunition for firearms (only allows manufacturing ammunition other than ammunition for armor-piercing ammunition and destructive devices);
- Type 7 – Manufacturer of firearms other than destructive devices;
- Type 10 – Manufacturer of destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices, or armor-piercing ammunition.
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FFL for Importers:
- Type 8 – Importer of firearms or ammunition for firearms other than destructive devices or ammunition other than armor piercing ammunition;
- Type 11 – Importer of destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices, or armor piercing ammunition
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FFL for Collectors:
- Type 3 – Collector of curios and relics.
How to Sell a Firearm?
If you’re wondering how to sell a gun, here are some useful tips:
- First of all, make sure you have all the documents and permits needed for legally selling a gun in your state. It is better to consult the federal law and your local gun regulations, in order not to accidentally break any laws.
- Another important thing to remember while selling a gun is that it should not get into the hands of a person with a criminal record. The best thing you can do is to sell your gun to a person you know, or at least check on the potential buyer. You should always ask the potential customer for proof of identity. If you find a person suspicious, you may always do a criminal background check using one of the specialized websites.
- Don't forget to check whether there is a serial number on your gun, as selling a gun without one may be considered a misdemeanor.
- Make sure you agree on the conditions and create a Bill of Sale to record the price, form of payment, and other details. The form must be signed by both parties, and all participants of the deal should get a copy of this contract.
How to Write a Bill of Sale for a Gun?
Even though a Gun Bill of Sale is not always required by state law, it is strongly recommended to have one to protect your interests and be able to prove the transaction. If you decide to create the form on your own, it should include the following:
- Seller’s contact information.
- Buyer’s contact information.
- Location of property (county, state, and ZIP Code).
- A detailed description of the weapon including the make, model, serial number, caliber, and other details.
- Purchase price.
- The form of payment.
- Sales tax information.
- Warranties (if any).
- Date of sale.
- Witness information (if any).
- Buyer’s signature.
- Seller’s signature.
What Do I Need to Sell a Gun?
Depending on the volume and the frequency of your gun sales you may need an FFL license. If you are regularly selling firearms to make a profit, you are engaging in the firearms-selling business. In this case, you are obliged to be licensed to operate lawfully.
If you are to perform a single sale, you do not need a license. You need to have your gun documents and, optionally, a Bill of Sale to sell a gun to an unlicensed buyer in your state. If you are willing to sell the weapon to a resident of another state, the deal is to be made through FFL. In this case, you will be probably asked to fill out a firearm transfer form.
Can You Sell Guns on Craigslist?
If you are considering selling a gun online, make sure the website policy allows this. It is better to check with the website rules and terms of use beforehand. Weapons and firearms of any kind, as well as all the components, are amongst the prohibited goods on Craigslist. Etsy, eBay, and Letgo have the same rules concerning weapons and ammunition.
What Do I Need to Buy a Gun?
If you are performing an occasional in-state purchase of a weapon, you do not need to have a license to buy a gun. However, it is advised to get a Gun Bill of Sale while performing this kind of deal to protect yourself if any issues arise.
While purchasing a gun from an FFL holder a firearm transaction record (also known as Form 4473) is needed to be filled out. When buying a gun off-state the transaction is performed through the FFL. In this case, an FFL employee will likely ask you to complete a Record of Firearm Transfer Form.
There may be state or local regulations that govern this type of transaction and it is a good idea to contact state policy units or state attorney general office for information on the gun legislation. Don't forget that firearms registration may be required by state or local law. To inquire about restrictions and laws on this topic, consult our sections as well.
Select your state of residence from the list above to find out more about gun laws by state and other related U.S. Regulations.
Related Forms and Templates:
Documents:
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Download this Bill of Sale to protect yourself from legal issues if they arise in the future and to have a record of your transaction. You can use it for a legal transfer of any firearm, i.e. rifles, pistols, and others.
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This document is a handgun bill of sale specifically designed for co-ownership arrangements in Wyoming County, New York. It is used to legally transfer ownership of a handgun between two individuals who share ownership of the firearm.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a firearm in Monroe County, New York.
This Form is used for recording the sale of firearms in California. It is a worksheet that dealers use to keep track of the necessary information required for the Dealer's Record of Sale (DROS) process.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of the gun transfer. This form contains information for easy identification of the seller, buyer, and the sold firearm. It was issued by the Michigan State Police and is the official form you must use for this kind of transaction.
Fill out this form if you wish to transfer a gun from one party (the seller) to another (the buyer). This document is used by firearms dealers, as well as non-licensed sellers.
Download this Florida Firearm Bill of Sale if you wish to document your firearm purchase. This document, if properly completed, becomes a legally binding form containing important information about your transaction.
An Alabama Firearm Bill of Sale is a form that records the sale of a gun or pistol within the jurisdiction of the state of Alabama.
This is a legal form used to document evidence of the gun transfer from a seller to a buyer. This document is used for the change of ownership of a firearm.
The Alaska Firearm Bill of Sale is a legally binding agreement that testifies the transfer of any kind of firearm from one party to the other.
Use this form if you wish to document your transaction of a firearm. The form is used to record the transfer of any type of gun from the seller to the buyer. If properly filled out, it becomes a legally binding agreement and can serve as a receipt for the buyer.
Download this form if you need to legally transfer the ownership of a firearm (pistol, rifle, or any other handgun) from the seller to the buyer. The deal goes for individuals or entities.
A California Firearm Bill of Sale is a document used to record the transfer of different kinds of firearms from one party to the other (from the seller to the buyer). This properly completed and signed form is considered a legally binding agreement that proves the fact of sale.
You can use this document to fill out and sign as legal proof a firearms' transfer from the seller to the buyer. It has important information about the sale and is a legally binding contract in the case if you need to substantiate a lawful claim.
Download this legal document that serves the purpose of the transfer of guns or firearms transfer in the state of Georgia. This document records the history of the item, details of the seller and the buyer, and shows their mutual consent to enter into the transaction.
This form generally includes information about the buyer and the seller, as well as details about the firearm and constitutes a legally binding agreement between the involved parties. It may be used by firearm dealers and individuals in Idaho.
This document is filled out during the transfer of a firearm from one party to another. Thus, it becomes a legally binding contract that contains the necessary details pertinent to the purchase. Although there is no government-issued form for this matter, any basic template may be used.
Create this document to record the transfer of a firearm from a seller to a buyer. This form can be used by licensed dealers, as well as by non-licensed individuals. It contains the important basic details needed for the identification of the seller, the buyer, and the transferred gun.
This document serves as a legally binding agreement and is used to finalize the sale and purchase of a firearm. It records the transfer of all types of legal firearms. Iowa gun laws require you to compose a Bill of Sale as proof of purchase.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm, so you may document the fact of gun transfer. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold firearm.
This form contains information about the buyer and the seller of a firearm, as well as details about the firearm and constitutes a legally binding agreement between parties of a deal. It may be used by firearm dealers and individuals in Kentucky.
This document normally includes information about a buyer and a seller, as well as details about the firearm, and constitutes a legally binding agreement between the parties. It may be used by firearm dealers and individuals in Louisiana.
Use this template to provide information about a buyer and a seller, as well as details about the firearm. It is a legally binding agreement between a seller and a buyer. It may be used by firearm dealers and individuals in Maine.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of a firearm transfer. This document usually contains information for the easy identification of the seller, buyer, and the sold firearm.
Use this document if you need to sell or purchase a watercraft in the state of Minnesota. This form is equally important for both the seller and the buyer. Its main purpose is to serve as proof of payment for the gun transfer.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of the gun transfer. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold firearm. The State of Mississippi does not possess any official forms you can use in this case, but you are welcome to use our template.
Download this form when you sell or buy a gun, so you may document the fact of a firearm transfer. This form usually includes important information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold firearm.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of gun transfer in the state of Montana. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold gun.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm in the state of Maryland, so you may document the fact of a gun transfer. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the parties to a transaction, about the transaction itself, and the sold firearm.
Download this form when you purchase a firearm so you may record the fact of the gun transfer. This form usually contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold gun.
Download this form when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of the gun transfer. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold firearm.
Download this template when you sell or buy a firearm so you may document the fact of the gun transfer. This form normally contains information for easy identification of the seller, the buyer, and the sold firearm.
Fill out this form completed by the seller and the buyer in order to have a written record of the firearm transfer form one party to another. This form typically contains the most essential information about the deal, such as the names of both parties of the sale, description of the sold firearm, sales price, date of sale, and signatures of both parties.
Fill out this New Mexico document completed by the seller and the buyer in order to have a written record of the firearm transfer form one party to another. This form contains the most essential information about the deal, e.g. the names of the parties of the sale, description of the sold firearm, sales price, date of sale, and signatures of both parties.
Fill out this document in order to have a written record of the firearm transfer form one party to the other. The form contains the most essential information about the deal. Several counties have their own official Bills of Sale for firearms.
This document is used for transferring ownership of a firearm in Saratoga County, New York. It is a legal agreement between the seller and buyer and contains important information about the gun being sold.
This document is a private bill of sale for a gun in Genesee County, New York. It is used to legally transfer ownership of a firearm between private individuals in the county.
This document is for transferring a handgun through an estate in Genesee County, New York.
This form is used for the sale or gifting of firearms in Steuben County, New York.
This document should be completed by a seller and a buyer in order to have a written record of a firearm transfer from one party to another. This form normally contains the most essential information about the deal, such as the names of both parties of the sale, description of the sold firearm which allows it to be clearly identified, sales price, date of sale, and signatures of both parties.
