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 Missouri resident.
Private firearm sales in Missouri generally require both parties to be Missouri residents. Do not proceed with a private interstate transfer.
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2
Verify the buyer is not prohibited from possessing firearms.
It is illegal to knowingly transfer a firearm to a prohibited person. If you have doubts about eligibility, do not proceed with the sale.
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3
Document the transaction for your records.
While not required by Missouri law, many sellers choose to keep a simple record of the sale including date, firearm details and buyer information.
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4
Use a licensed dealer if you want a background check.
Although not required for private sales, using an FFL ensures the buyer undergoes a federal background check and the transaction is formally recorded.
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5
Consider selling directly to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com removes uncertainty by handling compliance, shipping and documentation through a regulated process.
Updated: February 14, 2026
State laws for selling a gun in Missouri
Missouri generally allows private firearm sales between residents without a state background check requirement. However, sellers still need to understand where federal law controls the transaction and when a licensed dealer is required.
If your sale involves an out-of-state buyer or anything about eligibility is unclear, route the transfer through a licensed dealer and confirm details using the official resources below.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | NO | Missouri does not require a background check for a private, in-state transfer between two Missouri residents. |
| Waiting period | NO | Missouri does not impose a state waiting period on firearm 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 | YES | Missouri does not set a universal private-sale minimum age rule in the same way some states do, but you should not transfer to anyone you believe is underage or otherwise ineligible. When age is unclear, use an FFL. |
| 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 Missouri for a standard private sale but strongly recommended for documentation. |
State law details
Understanding Missouri firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding Missouri firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
Missouri generally allows private firearm sales between residents without dealer processing. Even when not required, sellers should confirm Missouri residency and document the transfer to reduce risk if the firearm is later traced.
- Confirm the buyer is a Missouri resident and verify a government-issued photo ID
- Record firearm details (make, model, serial) and the transfer date for your files
- If anything feels unclear, use a licensed dealer for documentation and compliance guardrails
- Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 571 - Missouri statutes covering weapons offenses and firearm-related restrictions
Background checks in private sales
Missouri does not require background checks for private, in-state transfers. If a dealer is involved, federal law requires the dealer to run the background check before completing the transfer.
- Private in-state sale: no Missouri background-check requirement
- Dealer transfer: federal background check applies and the dealer controls the process
- Interstate scenario: treat it as dealer-required and route it through an FFL
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 - Federal requirements governing dealer transfers, interstate sales, and prohibited persons
Age & eligibility
Dealer transfers follow federal minimum age rules: 18+ to acquire a rifle or shotgun from an FFL and 21+ to acquire a handgun from an FFL. For private transfers, avoid any sale where the buyer’s age or eligibility is unclear.
- FFL transfers: 18+ long guns and 21+ handguns
- Do not transfer to anyone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited
- If age or eligibility is unclear, use a dealer transfer for documentation and screening
- 18 U.S.C. § 922 - Federal restrictions on firearm transfers and prohibited persons
Waiting periods
Missouri does not impose a state waiting period. If a dealer is involved, the only practical delays are procedural, including potential background check delays.
- No Missouri waiting period for private transfers
- Dealer transfers can be delayed by background check responses or dealer processing timelines
- If speed matters, follow the dealer’s instructions and submit clean documentation
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
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) - Federal prohibited-person categories for firearm possession and transfers
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.070 - Unlawful possession of a firearm and related restrictions under Missouri law
Official & trusted resources
Avoid the risk of transferring to a prohibited person
Missouri allows private firearm sales, but the legal risk remains on the seller. If you unknowingly transfer a firearm to someone who is prohibited under federal law, you can face serious consequences. Using a licensed buyer provides documentation and a compliant transfer path.
We’ve purchased over 230 firearms from Missouri sellers through a fully licensed process that provides documentation and avoids the uncertainty of private meetups.
Missouri 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
Missouri sets most firearm transfer rules at the state and federal level, and the state preempts many forms of local firearm regulation. Even so, local realities still shape how and where a transfer actually happens. Meeting locations, transport rules in specific facilities, and dealer scheduling can all create friction if you do not plan ahead.
- City and county property rules: Local governments can regulate firearms on certain government property such as courthouses or administrative buildings. These rules do not change transfer legality, but they can affect where you can legally meet a buyer.
- Dealer availability and appointment logistics: If you choose to route a sale through a licensed dealer, practical friction often comes from appointment scheduling, documentation expectations, and local shop policies rather than from state law itself.
- Discharge and public safety ordinances: Many municipalities regulate firearm discharge within city limits. While this is not a transfer rule, it can affect whether you can test-fire a firearm before sale or where you can safely meet.
In Missouri, the legal framework for selling a firearm is relatively straightforward at the state level. The bigger risks usually involve federal law and practical logistics. If you want the cleanest, lowest-risk path with clear documentation, selling to a licensed buyer helps eliminate uncertainty tied to local procedures and interstate rules.