Firearm Bill of Sale

A firearm bill of sale gives both sides a written record of a lawful private transfer: the serial number, the date and who it went to. It does not replace any background check or dealer transfer your state requires.

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1 Seller and buyer

2 The firearm

3 Price and terms

Original · Seller

Firearm Bill of Sale

I, __________________________ ("Seller"), of ________________________________, in exchange for the sum of $____________ (______________________________ dollars), paid by cash, the receipt of which is acknowledged, sell and transfer to __________________________ ("Buyer"), of ________________________________, the following firearm:

Make______________
Model______________
Caliber / gauge______________
Type______________
Serial number______________
Buyer ID (type and number)____________________________

Terms

The firearm is sold "as is, where is", with no warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect it and accepts it in its present condition.

The Seller states that they are the lawful owner, that the firearm is free of all liens, loans and encumbrances, and that they have the right to sell it.

The Buyer states that they are of legal age to purchase this firearm, are not prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under federal, state or local law, and are a resident of the state in which this transfer takes place.

Signed on ____________________.

Seller signatureBuyer signature
Seller printed nameBuyer printed name

What a firearm bill of sale should include

  • Make, model, caliber and serial number
  • Buyer's ID type and number
  • Buyer statement that they are not prohibited from owning a firearm and are of legal age
  • Date, place and price

Not giving any promises about condition? Keep the as-is clause ticked. Need a notary? See which states require one.

After you both sign

  1. Make two copies. Each side keeps a signed original or copy.
  2. Seller: keep your copy with your records for at least three years.
  3. Buyer: keep the bill of sale as your proof of ownership.

Questions people ask

Are private gun sales legal?

Under federal law an unlicensed person may sell to another unlicensed resident of the same state if they have no reason to believe the buyer is prohibited. Many states go further and require private sales to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) with a background check. Check your state's law before you sell.

Can I sell a gun to someone in another state?

Not directly. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922) requires interstate transfers between private parties to go through a licensed dealer in the buyer's state.

Why keep a bill of sale?

If the firearm is later used in a crime or reported stolen, a dated record showing it left your hands protects you.

Firearm bill of sale by state

Pick your state for the agency, official form number and notary rules. The generator above works for every state.

Other bill of sale forms