Bills of sale are advantageous in general, but when you are selling something as unique as a firearm, it’s even more critical to issue such a document. The firearm bill of sale is written proof that the ownership of a gun passes from seller to buyer.
Since weapons are different from other items people usually sell, there are some special regulations concerning these types of transactions.
That means the gun bill of sale is even more critical, it must be issued with care, and both parties must keep a copy for their records or registration purposes.
What Is a Firearm Bill of Sale?
The firearm bill of sale is the formal document that testifies to the purchase of a firearm. It registers the fact that the ownership of a particular weapon is transferred from one private party to another, in exchange for the price they have previously set.
The gun transfer form includes all the necessary identifying information on the firearm, and of the parties involved. Both the seller and the buyer must sign the document and keep a copy.
The seller has every interest to have written proof that the weapon is no longer in their possession; these are dangerous items, and it must be clear who is responsible in case something unfortunate happens.
As for the buyer, depending on the state they live in, they may have to register the gun, and for that, they need a firearm bill of sale.
Is a Firearm Bill of Sale Required by Law?
The gun bill of sale form is not mandatory in all states, but this document is extremely useful. And considering how easy it is to create one, it would be a shame not to do it.
Even if the state doesn’t force you to issue it, the private gun sales form has so many benefits that it makes no sense to avoid issuing one. Firearms involve a lot of responsibility.
At some point, the previous owner may be in a situation where they have to prove they are no longer liable for the misuse of that particular piece of weapon. In such a case, the firearm bill of sale is the perfect proof that someone else is the legal owner of the gun.
The gun bill of sale has all the relevant information necessary to establish that the transaction took place, and to point out who is the current owner of the firearm.
When it comes to legal requirements in the case of firearm transactions between private parties, the bill of sale is not the only one. Some states also require a criminal background check and a license, so check with local authorities before organizing such a transaction.
What to Include in a Firearm Bill of Sale?
The firearm bill of sale is a document that should be taken seriously and issued with the utmost care. Selling a firearm is not the same thing as selling a used car. There are many aspects to consider.
To make sure the gun bill of sale you issue is complete, use a template; there are many free ones available online. These are the sections any firearms bill of sale form should include:
- Identifying information of the seller and buyer: name, address, driver’s license.
- A detailed description of the firearm: make, model, caliber, serial number (SN).
- The price in USD.
- The date of the payment. It can be set in the future if both parties agree.
- If the firearm is part of a trade, this must be mentioned in the gun bill of sale.
- Buyer’s disclosure: that they have the legal age and right to own a firearm.
- Seller’s disclosure: that the firearm has a legit serial number, that they are the rightful owner of the weapon, that no illegal actions were taken using that particular firearm, and that their responsibility ends the moment the transaction is completed.
- Names and signatures of all parties involved, including witnesses (two witnesses are required).
- The notary public fills in the final mentions and adds their state seal to the document.
Conclusion
The bill of sale is even more important when the item sold is a weapon. The firearm bill of sale has many benefits both for the seller and the buyer. And since high responsibility is involved, it’s a great idea to issue a gun transfer form even if the state doesn’t require it.
That way, both parties have solid proof that the proprietorship of the firearm was transferred from the seller to the buyer. To make sure the bill of sale is as accurate and complex as possible, issue it using a template. You can also try the template created by CocoSign.