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.
New Hampshire allows private firearm sales, but you may not sell to anyone you know or reasonably suspect is prohibited under federal law.
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2
Verify residency and identity.
Private firearm sales should occur only between New Hampshire residents. Verify the buyer’s government-issued photo ID before proceeding.
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3
Avoid interstate transfers.
Do not sell a firearm privately to an out-of-state resident. Interstate transfers must be processed through a licensed firearms dealer.
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4
Document the transaction.
While not required by New Hampshire law, keeping a bill of sale with buyer and firearm details is strongly recommended for personal records.
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5
Consider selling directly to a licensed buyer.
Selling to a federally licensed buyer like WeBuyGuns.com removes eligibility uncertainty and provides a documented, compliant transfer.
Updated: February 14, 2026
State laws for selling a gun in New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows private firearm sales between residents with few state-level transfer requirements. However, federal law still controls key areas like prohibited persons and interstate transfers.
If your buyer is out of state, if anything about eligibility feels unclear, or if you want a clean paper trail, route the transfer through a licensed dealer or sell to a licensed buyer.
| Topic | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Background check for private transfers | NO | New Hampshire does not require background checks for private, in-state firearm transfers between residents. |
| Waiting period | NO | New Hampshire does not impose a state waiting period on firearm transfers. |
| Can I sell to an out-of-state buyer | NO (directly) | Private interstate firearm transfers are prohibited under federal law. Use an FFL for any out-of-state buyer. |
| Minimum age: Dealer | YES | Federal rules apply at dealers: typically 18+ for long guns and 21+ for handguns (with limited exceptions). |
| Minimum age: Private transfer | Use federal baseline | New Hampshire has few state transfer restrictions, but sellers should avoid any transaction where age or eligibility 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 New Hampshire for standard private sales but strongly recommended for your records. |
State law details
Understanding New Hampshire firearm sale rules
A detailed breakdown of common requirements.
Understanding New Hampshire firearm sale rules
Identification & documentation
New Hampshire does not require a dealer for most private, in-state firearm sales between residents. Even so, you should confirm identity and residency and keep basic documentation for your records.
- Private sale: confirm the buyer is a New Hampshire resident and verify photo ID
- Recommended: use a simple bill of sale with the transfer date and firearm details (make, model, serial)
- If anything is unclear, route the transfer through an FFL for documentation and guardrails
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159:14 - Sale of pistols and revolvers; restrictions and penalties
Background checks & private sales
New Hampshire does not require background checks for private transfers. Dealers must follow federal background check requirements when they are involved in the transfer.
- Private in-state sale: no New Hampshire background-check requirement
- Dealer transfer: the dealer runs the required federal background check (NICS)
- If eligibility is uncertain, do not proceed privately and use a licensed dealer
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(d) - Federal prohibition on transferring firearms to prohibited persons
Age & eligibility
New Hampshire does not add extensive state transfer requirements, but federal rules still matter. Avoid any transaction where the buyer’s age or eligibility is uncertain and stop the sale if red flags appear.
- Dealer transfers: federal age rules apply (typically 18+ long guns and 21+ handguns)
- Private sales: avoid transfers where age, eligibility, or residency is unclear
- Never transfer a firearm if you know or reasonably suspect the buyer is prohibited
- 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) - Federal dealer age minimums for firearms sales
Waiting periods
New Hampshire does not impose a state waiting period. If a dealer is involved, the only delays are procedural, including NICS delays or dealer processing timelines.
- No New Hampshire waiting period for private transfers
- Dealer transfers can be delayed by NICS responses or dealer workload
- Clean documentation and clear eligibility reduce avoidable delays
Prohibited persons
Federal law sets the baseline categories of prohibited persons. For private sales, 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 categories of prohibited persons
Private sales are allowed—but risk still exists
Even in a low-regulation state like New Hampshire, sellers remain legally responsible for ensuring the buyer is eligible and the transfer complies with federal law. Selling directly to a licensed buyer removes guesswork and liability.
We’ve purchased dozens of firearms from New Hampshire sellers through a fully licensed process that simplifies lawful transfers while minimizing seller risk.
New Hampshire 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
New Hampshire maintains strong statewide preemption over firearm laws. Cities and towns generally may not create their own rules governing firearm sales, transfers, ownership, or possession beyond what state law allows.
- Statewide preemption: New Hampshire law broadly preempts municipalities from regulating firearms. Local governments may not impose their own transfer rules, licensing requirements, or sale restrictions.
- Limited local authority: Cities and towns may regulate firearm discharge, hunting activity, or possession in specific municipal buildings, but these rules do not affect the legality of firearm sales or transfers.
- Dealer zoning and operations: Local zoning rules can affect where licensed firearm dealers operate. This can influence which FFLs are available if you choose to route a transfer through a dealer.
In New Hampshire, state law—not local ordinance—controls firearm sales and transfers. If a transaction feels unclear or you want formal documentation, using a licensed buyer or dealer provides structure without relying on inconsistent local rules.