Private Firearm Purchases From Other States

March 12, 2025, 07:18 AM

Is it legal for citizens of a given state to sell/buy firearms from a different state? For example, is it legal for me (a Texan) to purchase a firearm from my friend in Louisiana? I know this is not allowed in liberal states, but how about free states?

March 12, 2025, 08:12 AM

dking271

Any pistol purchase from a different state has to be transferred through an FFL. So yes, you can buy a firearm from a friend, but that friend has to have it shipped to an FFL in your state. I think however, you are asking if you can you buy and take possession of a gun from a friend in another state which is a hard no. That would violate federal law.

March 18, 2025, 10:49 AM

shovelhead

A couple of weeks ago I had a caller at work playing the “I’m getting a pistol from my friend who lives in another state and how do I register it?” game. Told him federal law prohibits it, has to go through an FFL.

Then came the “what if I” B.S. from him. Once he starts different scenarios it’s evident that he’s a wannabe lawyer who has a fool for a client.

Finally told him to call the A.T.F and the State Police and ask them. Problem solved.

May 04, 2025, 10:29 PM

copaup

It's absolutely legal.

It just has to go through an FFL. All interstate transfers require an FFL. When my father in law passed we had to arrange FFL transfers for a number of his firearms that he left to my wife. It is up to the FFL what they charge for this service.

May 10, 2025, 11:39 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by copaup:

It's absolutely legal. It just has to go through an FFL.

Adding to copaup's post... The FFL has to be in the buyer's state. An FFL in the seller's state will not be able to complete the transaction, although the seller's state FFL can send the firearm to an FFL in the buyer's state using low-cost Priority Mail.

May 11, 2025, 12:20 PM

trapper189

May a person who resides in one state and owns property in another state purchase a firearm in either state?

If a person maintains a home in two states and resides in both states for certain periods of the year, they may, during the period of time they actually reside in a particular state, purchase a firearm in that state. However, simply owning property in another state does not alone qualify the person to purchase a firearm in that state.

[27 CFR 478.11]

May 13, 2025, 07:49 PM

Rick Lee

I don't think any FFL is going to sell or transfer to someone whose gov't. issued ID isn't from the same state where the FFL is located. You would need a GIID from each state where you want to buy guns.

May 14, 2025, 03:44 PM

trapper189

The thread title says "Private Firearms Purchases From Other States".

Without utilizing an FFL, I have legally bought, sold, and gifted firearms to and from people who are not residents of the state I'm a resident of by following the laws at both the state and federal level.

I had one FFL in FL tell me he regularly sold to snowbirds. I didn't ask about the mechanics of the transaction.

May 19, 2025, 10:59 AM

nhracecraft

quote:
Originally posted by copaup:
It's absolutely legal.

It just has to go through an FFL. All interstate transfers require an FFL. When my father in law passed we had to arrange FFL transfers for a number of his firearms that he left to my wife. It is up to the FFL what they charge for this service.

Transfers of Inherited Firearms are generally state and situation dependent, primarily affected by whether the beneficiary was specifically named in the will, and on how the beneficiary will transport the firearms to their home state. An FFL transfer is not required by Federal Law.

From the ATF website:

quote:
To whom may an unlicensed person transfer firearms under the GCA?

A person may transfer a firearm to an unlicensed resident of their state, provided the transferor does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the transferee is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under federal law. There may be state laws that regulate intrastate firearm transactions. A person considering transferring a firearm should contact their State Attorney General’s Office to inquire about the laws and possible state or local restrictions.

Generally, for a person to lawfully transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person who resides out of state, the firearm must be shipped to a federal firearms licensee (FFL) within the transferee’s state of residence. The transferee may then receive the firearm from the FFL upon completion of an ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check.

A person may loan or rent a firearm to a resident of any state for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes, if they do not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under federal law. Another exception is provided for transfers of firearms to nonresidents to carry out a lawful bequest or acquisition by intestate succession. This exception would authorize the transfer of a firearm to a nonresident who inherits a firearm under the will of a decedent.

A person may transfer a firearm to a licensee in any state. However, a firearm other than a curio or relic may not be transferred interstate to a licensed collector.

[18 U.S.C 922(a)(5) and 922(d); 27 CFR 478.30, 478.32]

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/q...r-firearms-under-gca

Essentially, per Federal Law a beneficiary may legally take possession of inherited firearms in the state of the decedent, without a background check, and transport them back to their home state of residence. Depending on the state you live in YMMV.