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.
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1
Confirm the buyer is a Florida resident and legally eligible.
For a private sale in Florida, confirm the buyer is a Florida resident and that you do not know or reasonably suspect they are prohibited from possessing firearms.
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2
Decide between a private sale or a licensed dealer transfer.
Florida allows private sales, but using a licensed dealer creates a documented transfer and removes eligibility and compliance uncertainty.
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3
Document the transaction for your records.
While not required by Florida law, a written bill of sale recording the firearm details, date, and buyer information helps establish that the firearm was legally transferred.
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4
Avoid interstate transfers without a dealer.
Do not sell a firearm privately to an out-of-state resident. Interstate transfers must be completed through a licensed dealer.
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5
Consider selling directly to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com provides a compliant, documented process without the risks of private meetups.
Updated: February 14, 2026
State laws for selling a gun in Florida
Florida generally allows private firearm sales between residents, but sellers are still responsible for avoiding prohibited-person transfers and following federal rules for interstate sales.
If anything about the buyer’s eligibility is unclear or the transfer involves an out-of-state resident, use a licensed dealer or sell to a licensed buyer and confirm details using the official links below.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | NO | Florida does not require a background check for a private, in-state transfer between two Florida residents. |
| Waiting period for private transfers | NO (statewide) | Florida does not impose a statewide waiting period on private transfers. Retail handgun purchases may involve local waiting period rules in some counties. |
| 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. Interstate transfers must go through a licensed dealer in compliance with federal law. |
| Minimum age: Dealer | YES | From a licensed dealer (FFL): 18+ for long guns, 21+ for handguns under federal law. Some Florida dealer sales may be more restrictive depending on circumstances. |
| Minimum age: Private transfer | YES | Do not transfer to anyone under 18. When age is unclear or the firearm type creates legal risk, use a dealer transfer for documentation and compliance guardrails. |
| 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 Florida for a standard private sale but strongly recommended. Record buyer name, Florida residency, date, and firearm make, model, and serial. |
State law details
Understanding Florida firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding Florida firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
Florida permits private firearm sales between residents, but you should still verify residency and keep basic documentation. If the transfer involves shipping, uncertainty around eligibility, or an out-of-state resident, use a licensed dealer transfer.
- Private sale: confirm the buyer is a Florida resident and document the transfer with a basic bill of sale
- Dealer transfer: bring government-issued photo ID and follow the dealer’s intake and transfer paperwork
- Record firearm details (make, model, serial) and the transfer date for your files
- Fla. Stat. § 790.065 - Sale and delivery of firearms; background checks for dealer sales
Background checks in private sales
Florida does not require background checks for private, in-state firearm transfers between residents. If a dealer is involved for intake, shipping, or transfer processing, the dealer must conduct the background check through the FDLE/ATF process.
- Private in-state sale: no Florida background-check requirement
- Dealer transfer: background check is required and the dealer controls the transfer process
- Interstate scenario: treat it as dealer-required and route it through an FFL
- Fla. Stat. § 790.065 - Dealer background check procedures and approvals (FDLE Firearm Purchase Program)
Age & eligibility
Dealers must follow federal age minimums and background check requirements. For private transfers, your legal risk increases if you proceed when the buyer’s age or eligibility is unclear. If anything feels off, stop the sale or route it through a dealer.
- FFL transfers: 18+ for long guns and 21+ for handguns under federal law
- 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
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(d) - Prohibits transferring a firearm to a person known or believed to be prohibited
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) - Federal age limits for dealer firearm sales (handguns 21+, long guns 18+)
Waiting periods
Florida does not impose a statewide waiting period for private firearm transfers. Some counties apply waiting period rules to retail handgun purchases, and dealer timelines can also vary based on background check processing.
- No statewide waiting period for private transfers
- Retail handgun purchases may be subject to county waiting periods
- Dealer transfers can be delayed by background check responses or dealer processing timelines
- Fla. Const. art. VIII, § 5(b) - Allows counties to adopt waiting periods for handgun purchases from retail sources (local option)
Prohibited persons
Federal law sets the baseline prohibited-person categories. In private transfers, your 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
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(d) - Federal prohibition on transferring firearms to prohibited persons
- Fla. Stat. § 790.065 - Florida dealer transfer background check requirements and prohibitions
Reduce risk in a private-sale state
Florida allows private firearm sales, but sellers are still exposed if a firearm is later traced or a buyer turns out to be prohibited. Using a licensed buyer provides a documented transfer and removes uncertainty.
We’ve purchased over 970 firearms from Florida sellers through a fully licensed process that provides a documented transfer without private-sale uncertainty.
Florida 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
Florida broadly preempts local governments from regulating firearms and ammunition. The core legal rules for selling and transferring firearms are set at the state and federal level. In practice, most “local rules” that still matter relate to where you meet, how you transport a firearm, and policies for locally owned buildings and facilities.
- Government buildings and local facilities: Cities and counties can enforce rules for entry into locally owned buildings and controlled spaces. If you are meeting someone, avoid government facilities and follow posted signage and security screening policies.
- Discharge and safe handling rules: Local discharge ordinances are common and can affect where you test or handle a firearm. Keep handling to safe private locations and do not treat “remote areas” as automatically legal for discharge.
- Event, venue, and property policies: Local venues and properties can set their own firearm policies. This does not change transfer legality but it can affect meetup locations, parking lots, and public events.
Local rules rarely change whether a firearm can be sold, but they can complicate where you meet and how you move the firearm. If you want a clean paper trail without meetup logistics, selling to a licensed buyer is the simplest path.