Selling your firearm checklist
This is a practical checklist for a compliant transfer. If anything feels unclear or high-risk, using a licensed dealer is the simplest way to ensure the transfer is correctly documented and legally compliant.
-
1
Confirm the buyer is legally eligible.
Arizona allows private firearm sales, but sellers must not transfer firearms to anyone they know or reasonably believe is prohibited under state or federal law.
-
2
Verify residency and age requirements.
Ensure the buyer is an Arizona resident and meets federal age requirements—typically 18 for long guns and 21 for handguns purchased from a dealer.
-
3
Avoid interstate private transfers.
Do not sell firearms privately to out-of-state residents. Interstate transfers must go through licensed dealers.
-
4
Document the transaction when possible.
While not required, maintaining a basic bill of sale or record of the transfer can help demonstrate good-faith compliance.
-
5
Consider selling to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com provides clear documentation, compliance support, and eliminates private-sale uncertainty.
Updated: February 14, 2026
State laws for selling a gun in Arizona
Arizona generally allows private firearm sales between Arizona residents without a state-run background check or waiting period. Even so, sellers are still responsible for ensuring the transfer is lawful and the buyer is eligible.
If anything about eligibility or residency is unclear, or if the buyer is out of state, use a licensed dealer transfer and confirm details using the official links below.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | NO | Arizona does not require a background check for a private, in-state transfer between two Arizona residents. |
| Waiting periods for private transfers | NO | Arizona does not impose a state waiting period for private transfers. |
| Can I sell to an out-of-state buyer | NO, unless you go through an FFL | Do not transfer a firearm privately across state lines. Use a licensed dealer transfer (typically in the buyer’s state). |
| Minimum age: Dealer | YES | From a Licensed Dealer (FFL): 18+ for long guns, 21+ for handguns. |
| Minimum age: Private transfer | Use caution | Arizona does not impose a universal private-sale age check. As a best practice, confirm the buyer is an Arizona resident and 18+ with valid ID, and do not transfer if anything is unclear. |
| Prohibited persons | Do not sell | Never sell to someone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited under federal law. Stop the transaction if red flags appear. |
| Bill of sale | Not required | Not required by Arizona for a standard private sale but strongly recommended. Record buyer name, Arizona residency, date, and firearm make, model, and serial. |
State law details
Understanding Arizona firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding Arizona firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
Arizona private sales are generally legal between Arizona residents, but you should still treat identification and documentation as your first line of risk control. If the buyer’s residency or eligibility is unclear, use a licensed dealer transfer.
- Private sale: confirm the buyer is an Arizona resident and verify government-issued photo ID
- Document the transfer with a basic bill of sale for your records
- Record firearm details (make, model, serial) and the transfer date
- A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons. Includes unlawful transfer activity tied to prohibited status and other weapons-related restrictions.
Background checks in private sales
Arizona does not require a background check for private, in-state transfers between residents. If a dealer is involved for shipping, intake, or transfer processing, the dealer runs the federal background check (NICS) as part of the transfer.
- Private in-state sale: no Arizona background-check requirement
- Dealer transfer: NICS is required and the dealer controls the transfer process
- Interstate scenario: treat it as dealer-required and route it through an FFL
- A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons. Reinforces the legal risk of transfers that involve prohibited persons or unlawful conduct.
Age & eligibility
For dealer transfers, federal rules apply: 18+ for long guns and 21+ for handguns. For private transfers, the practical risk is eligibility. Do not transfer if the buyer’s status is unclear or if you see red flags.
- FFL transfers: 18+ long guns and 21+ handguns
- Do not transfer to anyone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited
- When eligibility is unclear, use a dealer transfer for documentation and compliance guardrails
- A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons. Covers multiple unlawful weapons-related acts including conduct tied to prohibited status.
Waiting periods
Arizona does not impose a state waiting period for private transfers. If a dealer is involved, the only practical delays are procedural, including potential NICS delays or dealer processing timelines.
- No Arizona waiting period for private transfers
- Dealer transfers can be delayed by NICS responses or dealer processing timelines
- If speed matters, submit clean documentation and follow the dealer’s instructions closely
- A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons. Useful reference point for general weapons-transfer compliance risk.
Prohibited persons
Federal law sets the baseline categories of prohibited persons. For private transfers, your legal risk increases if you ignore red flags or proceed when you reasonably suspect the buyer is prohibited.
- Do not sell if you know or reasonably suspect the buyer is prohibited
- Red flags: refusal to show ID, evasive answers, urgency to avoid paperwork, straw-purchase vibes
- If anything feels off, stop the transaction or route it through a licensed dealer
- A.R.S. § 13-3102 - Misconduct involving weapons. Addresses multiple prohibited and unlawful weapon-related acts, including conduct tied to prohibited status.
Know when a private sale becomes a risk
Arizona allows private firearm sales, but sellers remain legally responsible for ensuring the buyer is eligible. Selling to the wrong person—even unintentionally—can carry serious consequences. Using a licensed buyer removes this uncertainty.
We’ve purchased over 345 firearms from Arizona sellers through a fully licensed process that ensures eligibility checks and clear transfer documentation.
Arizona residents must follow federal laws for private transactions
ATF guidance and prohibited person requirements
Federal law requires that the buyer of a firearm must be legally eligible to own a gun.
Local ordinances, city rules and county policies
Arizona has broad state-level preemption over firearm laws. Cities and counties generally cannot create their own firearm transfer rules, but local policies can still affect where and how transfers occur, especially when dealers are involved.
- State preemption of firearm laws: Arizona law largely preempts local governments from regulating the sale, transfer, or possession of firearms. This means the rules for selling a firearm are generally consistent statewide.
- Dealer zoning and business regulations: While cities and counties cannot regulate firearm transfers themselves, they may regulate where licensed firearms dealers can operate through zoning and business licensing rules. This can affect which FFLs are available locally.
- Local property and facility restrictions: Certain local government buildings or properties may restrict firearm possession on-site. These rules do not change transfer legality but can affect meeting locations or pickup arrangements.
In Arizona, local ordinances rarely change whether a firearm can be sold. Most seller risk comes from eligibility questions or interstate issues. Using a licensed buyer provides clear documentation and avoids uncertainty if a dealer transfer becomes necessary.