A Federal Firearms License (FFL) is given to gun shops and businesses and allows them to sell, manufacture, and transport firearms and ammunition in the United States. FFL businesses have to abide by certain procedures, including customer background checks, in order to allow customers to purchase firearms from them.

• How to Apply
• Application (Part B)

In most cases, gun owners do not need to have an FFL when selling a gun privately unless outlined in their state or local laws. However, it is necessary for the public and private sale of firearms over state lines.

A concealed carry is possessing a firearm while in public in a hidden manner. A permit is required in most parts of the United States, while some states have constitutional rights to possess a concealed carry weapon without a license. A concealed carry is usually a gun such as a pistol or similar handgun.

Getting a concealed carry permit depends on the laws in the carrier’s jurisdiction. Concealed carry is legal in every part of the United States, although local laws and permits must be followed. For most Midwest areas, there are constitutional rights to concealed carry without a license, while cities like New York have strict permitting laws.

Use Usconcealedcarry.com as a guide to state laws and reciprocity.

This is very important. Some states require permits to be held by the buyers while others require all sales to be processed through authorized dealers. in California for example, the sale of a private gun, outside an authorized dealer, is considered a misdemeanor.

Use This Table as a guide to viewing the laws in each state regarding the sale of a firearm.

An owner of a firearm cannot sell it on the internet with sites like eBay or Craigslist. However, in most states, almost any individual without a criminal record is allowed to buy a gun.

As a responsible gun owner, it’s best to be careful with whom you sell your gun. Therefore, it’s recommended to only sell to someone you may know personally, such as friends, family, or neighbors. If this isn’t possible, be cautious and ask interested buyers to provide proof of identity before moving forward with the transaction.

It’s always best to just walk away if you feel something is off about the exchange or the individual’s character.

If you are unsure if the buyer has a clean record it’s best to perform a criminal background check to verify the person is who they claim to be. Use one of the following sites depending on the type of query:

Criminal Background Search

• CriminalWatchdog.com – $18.95
• SentryLink.com – $19.95
• BeenVerified.com – $26.89 (1-month subscription with unlimited queries)

Sex Offender Search

• www.nsopw.gov – Free

After the buyer has been approved, it’s time to negotiate the sale. This usually involves a source of payment such as cash, although trading guns is common. It’s best to have an oral agreement made to outline the basic terms, such as the purchase price, payment source (cash, check, etc.), and the number of installments.

Use the instructions to complete a bill of sale that details the terms of the transaction. All buyers should also be required to sign a disclaimer requiring the individual to verify they can purchase the firearm. In the event the gun is used in an illegal manner this will hold the seller harmless of any wrongdoing.

After the terms have been signed it’s now time to complete the sale and meet. The buyer should be prepared to have the payment ready and the seller should have the gun in their possession. Once the trade has commenced, the sale becomes final, and both buyer and seller are free of liability to one another.

Serial Number (#) – If you are the buyer, it is imperative that the serial number is located on the gun. If not, the sale may not be deemed legal. In addition, firearms without serial numbers are commonly used in criminal activity.