2026 Interactive Guide
Gun Transfer Laws By State
Select your state below to see the private firearm transfer laws. This interactive guide explains how responsible gun owners complete transfers safely using GunTransfer.com.
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Find Your State's Gun Transfer Laws
Click your state below to learn the laws governing private firearm transfers.
Firearms in America
Key statistics about private firearm ownership and transfers.
400M+
Estimated civilian-owned firearms
Millions
Private transfers occur annually
50 States
Each with unique transfer regulations
Complete Your Private Gun Transfer Safely
GunTransfer.com provides a secure firearm transfer system designed specifically for private gun owners. Using GunTransfer helps complete private firearm transfers responsibly, ensures transfers follow applicable laws, and promotes responsible firearm ownership.
Full 50-State Guide
Comprehensive breakdown of private firearm transfer laws for every state.
Alabama Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Alaska Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Arizona Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Arkansas Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
California Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 10 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Colorado Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 15 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Regulated
Waiting period: 3 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Connecticut Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Delaware Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 17 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Florida Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: 3 days (dealer sales)
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
Strict transfer regulations
Hawaii Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds (handgun)
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 14 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Georgia Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Idaho Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Illinois Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 long gun / 15 handgun
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 72 hours
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
private sales generally allowed
Indiana Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: No
Suppressor legality: No
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Iowa Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: No
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
Kansas Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Kentucky Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Louisiana Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Maine Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: 72 hours (limited contexts)
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
private sales generally allowed
Maryland Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 7 days (handguns)
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Massachusetts Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Michigan Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
Minnesota Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Regulated
Waiting period: Partial
Background Check: Partial
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
Mississippi Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Missouri Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Montana Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
private sales generally allowed
Nebraska Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Partial
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
Nevada Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
New Hampshire Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
New Jersey Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 7 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
New Mexico Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: 7 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
New York Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
North Carolina Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: No
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
North Dakota Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Ohio Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Oklahoma Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Oregon Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Pennsylvania Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: No
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Partial
FFL Required: No
Additional transfer regulations
Rhode Island Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 7 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: No
Strict transfer regulations
South Carolina Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
South Dakota Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Tennessee Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Texas Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Utah Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Vermont Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 long gun / 15 handgun
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: 72 hours (limited)
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Virginia Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Regulated
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Washington Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: Banned
Waiting period: 10 business days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
Strict transfer regulations
Washington DC Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: 10 rounds
Suppressor legality: Banned
Assault weapon policy: Ban
Waiting period: 10 days
Background Check: Required
FFL Required: Yes
private sales generally allowed
West Virginia Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Wisconsin Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Wyoming Private Gun Transfer Laws
Private sales between residents are generally permitted without a background check.
Magazine limit: None
Suppressor legality: Legal
Assault weapon policy: None
Waiting period: None
Background Check: Not Required
FFL Required: No
private sales generally allowed
Select Your State:
Support
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is a private gun transfer?
A private gun transfer is the sale, gift, trade, or other transfer of a firearm between two private individuals who are not licensed firearms dealers. These transfers are subject to both federal and state laws.
Do I need a background check for a private sale?
It depends on your state. Some states allow private sales without background checks, while others require all transfers to go through a licensed dealer (FFL) with a background check. Check your state’s specific requirements above.
Is it legal to sell a gun to a friend?
In many states, yes — as long as both parties are residents of the same state, and the buyer is not a prohibited person. However, some states require all sales to go through an FFL. Always verify your local laws.
Do I need a bill of sale for a private gun transfer?
While not always legally required, a bill of sale is strongly recommended. It documents the transaction and can protect both buyer and seller. GunTransfer.com provides a secure system for documenting transfers.
Can I sell a gun to someone in another state?
Federal law requires interstate firearm transfers to go through a licensed dealer (FFL). The firearm must be shipped to an FFL in the buyer’s state, where they will complete the transfer and background check.
What happens if I sell a gun to a prohibited person?
Selling a firearm to a person you know or have reasonable cause to believe is a prohibited person is a federal felony. This includes convicted felons, domestic violence offenders, and others prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922.
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Legal Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws may change and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Always consult official state resources or a qualified professional for guidance.
OFFICIAL GUN LAW RESOURCES
United States of America Gun Laws
GunTransfer helps firearm owners complete private firearm transfers responsibly while helping buyers and sellers remain compliant with applicable firearm laws.
