Firearms Bill of Sale

[duramax]

I've never done a bill of sale when I've sold any of my guns private party. However, recent events have made me wish I did. I had 2 SWAT officers come to my door the other day and asked about an AR15 I had purchased 4 years ago. I had sold it about 2 years ago to some guy thru Armslist. Turns out it was involved in a crime in TN (not a murder thankfully). All I had was the email conversation saved in my gmail which only had his email address and not his full name. All I could do was forward that to the detective involved in the case. I have no idea whether he was involved in the crime, or whether he had sold it recently. I haven't heard anything back on the matter from law enforcement, but it made me realize that a bill of sale is a good thing to CYA just in case.

[eSJay]

Good idea, but my method works flawlessly.
Only buy guns, never sell.
I know it's not practical for everyone.

[Wildfowler]

I'm thinking that in today's environment I'm not going to sell a gun I have to someone I don't know unless it gets transferred via a local FFL.

That's pretty scary stuff.

[MudHog]

Anything that shows your information, buyer's information, and item being purchased is all you need. Include both driver's license and what state and serial number/s of items being purchased.



I'm the same way, buy only. I'm 35 and sold 2 guns in my lifetime. Both to members on Ducksouth. I bought one back and trying my hardest to buy the other so I can officially say I've never sold a gun in my life.

[cwink]

Many people think there is a gun registration, but that is not true.. The Serial number is traced from the Manufacturer to the distributer to the FFL Dealer that you bought the gun from.. As long as you have documentation that you sold it then, they go on to the next person in the chain..Most chains are broken in private party sales.. Many people that sell to individuals are now doing a bill of sale and are asking for DL for their records are wanting to see a copy of their firearms permit to know they are legal to own firearms..

[stang67]

Be responsible and enjoy your freedom while you still have it.
https://www.atf.gov/questions-and-answe ... unlicensed

When a transaction takes place between unlicensed persons who reside in the same State, the GCA does not require any record keeping. An unlicensed person may sell a firearm to another unlicensed person in his or her State of residence and, similarly, an unlicensed person may buy a firearm from another unlicensed person who resides in the same State. It is not necessary under Federal law for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) to assist in the sale or transfer when the buyer and seller are “same–State” residents.

[cwink]

Be responsible and enjoy your freedom while you still have it.
https://www.atf.gov/questions-and-answe ... unlicensed

When a transaction takes place between unlicensed persons who reside in the same State, the GCA does not require any record keeping. An unlicensed person may sell a firearm to another unlicensed person in his or her State of residence and, similarly, an unlicensed person may buy a firearm from another unlicensed person who resides in the same State. It is not necessary under Federal law for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) to assist in the sale or transfer when the buyer and seller are “same–State” residents.

No documentation is required, the documentation is for your own benefit. A Driver's license is proof the buyer lives in your state, and firearms permit is proof the buyer is legally allowed to own a firearm... Say you sell a gun off craigs list or facebook and 3 hours later that gun shows up in a crime scene in a neighboring state. You may have some legal issues to deal with.. Especially if the buyer is from another state, or they are a felon that is not allowed to own firearms.. Again, you are not required to have documentation, but if the ATF shows up at your door and you show them a copy of the buyers DL and/or CCP that takes much of the responsibility off of you..

[MrGoodtime]

Ain't nobody that doesn't have a ffl seeing, much less copying my dl

[teul2]

I am on the same page as eSJay. But, i have sold 2 guns. One to chuckle on here (I still want to buy that ole 870 back dude), and a pistol I won in a raffle so I could upgrade a little. When I sold that pistol, the gentleman wanted to do a bill of sale. I agreed. he told me why he wanted to and it made a lot of sense.

He had purchased a gun from a "friend" a few years back. With in a month, the "friend" reported the gun stolen, and told the sheriff what he knew who stole it. Sheriff and "friend" showed up at the guys house and took the gun back. There was no record of the transaction but even the sheriff admitted that he thought it was fishy. The man argued but the sheriff's hands were tied. He lost the gun and purchase price. So we both signed a piece of paper listing our names, date, make, model, and serial of the gun.