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 legally eligible.
Louisiana does not mandate dealer involvement for most private sales, but you must not knowingly transfer a firearm to someone prohibited under state or federal law.
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2
Verify residency for private in-state transfers.
Private sales are generally limited to Louisiana residents. If the buyer is from another state, the transfer must go through a licensed dealer in the buyer’s home state.
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3
Document the transaction details.
While not legally required, creating a bill of sale that includes the date, firearm details and buyer information can help demonstrate good-faith compliance.
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4
Do not proceed if there are red flags.
If the buyer indicates criminal history, restraining orders or other disqualifying factors, stop the transaction. Federal law applies even when state procedures are minimal.
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5
Consider selling directly to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com adds documentation and compliance structure without requiring you to evaluate eligibility on your own.
Updated: February 14, 2026
State laws for selling a gun in Louisiana
Louisiana generally allows private firearm sales between eligible Louisiana residents without requiring dealer processing. However, sellers still carry risk if they transfer to someone prohibited under state or federal law.
If you are selling a firearm in Louisiana, the biggest compliance issues usually involve prohibited persons, interstate transfers, and situations where a dealer is required under federal law. Use the official resources below to verify how the rules apply to your situation.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | NO (state required) | Louisiana does not require private sellers to run background checks. Dealer sales require a federal background check. |
| Dealer required for most private transfers | NO | Most in-state private transfers are allowed without an FFL, but federal law still applies for prohibited persons and interstate transfers. |
| Waiting period | NO | Louisiana does not impose a state waiting period. FFL transfers cannot complete until the federal background check is approved. |
| Can I sell to an out-of-state buyer | NO (directly) | Private interstate firearm transfers are prohibited. If the buyer lives out of state, the transfer must go through an FFL. |
| Minimum age: Dealer | YES | Federal age rules apply for dealer sales (typically 18+ for long guns and 21+ for handguns). |
| Minimum age: Private transfer | Use caution | Even if state law is permissive, do not transfer to someone you know or reasonably believe is prohibited. When in doubt, use an FFL. |
| Bill of sale | Recommended | Not generally required by Louisiana law, but a basic bill of sale helps document good-faith compliance. |
State law details
Understanding Louisiana firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding Louisiana firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
Louisiana generally permits private firearm sales between eligible Louisiana residents. While the state does not require a formal transfer form for most private sales, verifying identity and residency helps reduce risk and creates a basic compliance record.
- Confirm the buyer is a Louisiana resident for a private in-state sale
- Verify the buyer’s identity with valid government-issued photo ID
- Keep a simple bill of sale with firearm details, date, and buyer information (recommended)
- La. R.S. 40:1379.3 - Concealed handgun permits; eligibility and disqualifiers (useful reference point for prohibited categories)
Background checks & dealer transfers
Louisiana does not require private sellers to run background checks. Background checks occur when a firearm is sold or transferred through a federally licensed dealer (FFL). Sellers who want a documented eligibility check can route the transfer through an FFL.
- No state-mandated background check for most private sales
- Dealer sales and transfers require a federal background check
- If eligibility is uncertain, use an FFL or sell to a licensed buyer
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 (ATF prohibited persons overview) - Federal restrictions on prohibited persons and unlawful transfers (overview resource)
Age & eligibility
Louisiana private sales still require the seller to avoid transferring to someone prohibited under state or federal law. For dealer transactions, federal minimum ages and background checks apply.
- Dealer transfers follow federal minimum age rules
- Do not transfer to anyone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited
- When in doubt, route the sale through an FFL for added compliance documentation
- La. R.S. 14:95.1 - Possession of firearm by a convicted felon (state prohibited category)
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 (ATF prohibited persons overview) - Federal prohibited persons and unlawful transfer restrictions (overview resource)
Waiting periods
Louisiana does not impose a state waiting period on firearm transfers. For dealer transfers, timing is driven by the background check approval and dealer processing.
- No state waiting period for private sales
- FFL transfers cannot complete until background check approval
- Processing time can vary by dealer workload and system response
Prohibited persons
Even in a state with permissive private sale rules, transfers to prohibited persons are illegal and can create serious criminal exposure. If the buyer raises red flags or refuses basic verification, do not proceed.
- Do not sell if you know or reasonably suspect the buyer is prohibited
- Red flags include evasiveness, urgency to avoid documentation, or inconsistent identity/residency details
- If you want the lowest-risk path, sell to a licensed buyer or route the transfer through an FFL
- La. R.S. 14:95.1 - Prohibited possession: convicted felons (state-level restriction)
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 (ATF prohibited persons overview) - Federal prohibited persons categories and unlawful transfers (overview resource)
Avoid prohibited person and interstate transfer violations
Louisiana allows private sales, but federal law still governs who can legally receive a firearm. Selling to a prohibited person or across state lines without an FFL can carry severe penalties. Using a licensed buyer removes these risks.
We’ve purchased over 105 firearms from Louisiana sellers through a fully licensed process that complies with federal prohibited person restrictions and interstate transfer laws.
Louisiana 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 parish policies
Louisiana sets most firearm transfer rules at the state and federal level, and many parishes and cities have limited authority to regulate core ownership and transfer requirements. That said, local policies can still affect how smoothly a sale happens in the real world, especially around where you meet, where you can carry or store a firearm temporarily, and the policies of local facilities or law enforcement buildings. If you plan to use an FFL, local availability and dealer scheduling can also matter.
- Local facility and government property rules: Cities and parishes may enforce rules for firearms in certain government buildings, courthouses, schools, and controlled facilities. These policies do not change transfer legality but they can affect meeting locations and transport planning.
- Discharge and public safety ordinances: Many municipalities regulate firearm discharge within city limits or near occupied areas. While this is not a transfer rule, it can affect where you can safely meet a buyer or test-fire a firearm prior to sale.
- Dealer availability and appointment friction: If you choose to route a transfer through an FFL for added documentation, the practical friction can be local: dealer inventory policies, appointment scheduling, fees, and processing timelines.
Local rules rarely change whether a firearm can be sold, but they can add friction to how a transfer happens. If you want the cleanest, lowest-risk path with consistent documentation, using a licensed buyer can help avoid surprises tied to local procedures and logistics.