Resources & guides

Firearm Laws & Legal Selling Guides by State

Understand federal firearm laws, state transfer requirements, background check rules, and interstate shipping regulations before selling or transferring a firearm.

Selling a firearm in the United States is governed by both federal and state law. Federal law sets nationwide standards, but individual states and municipalities may impose additional requirements on private sales, dealer transfers, permits, or waiting periods.

This resource center explains how those laws work so you can make informed, compliant decisions before transferring a firearm.

Federal Firearm Transfer Laws

Federal law regulates who can possess a firearm, how interstate transfers must be handled and when a federally licensed dealer (FFL) must be involved.

Federal firearm laws are primarily enforced under 18 U.S.C. § 922 and administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Key areas governed at the federal level include:

Prohibited persons under 18 U.S.C. § 922
Interstate firearm transfers
Licensed dealer requirements
Background check procedures
Recordkeeping requirements

Under federal law, certain individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) maintains guidance on prohibited persons and related federal restrictions.

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Federal law establishes the baseline. State laws determine how transfers must actually be conducted.

State-by-State Firearm Transfer Laws

Every state has its own approach to regulating firearm sales and transfers. Some states allow private sales without additional requirements, while others mandate background checks, waiting periods, registration or transfer through a licensed dealer.

Select your state below to review current firearm transfer laws, dealer requirements, background check rules, and selling restrictions.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
These legal guides focus strictly on compliance and regulatory requirements. If you are looking to sell directly to We Buy Guns, visit our selling guides instead.

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