GunTransfer
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about legal private firearm transfers, background checks, state rules, and the $50 flat fee.
How It Works
Do I actually need GunTransfer for a private sale?
It depends on your state and the buyer’s state. Federal law does not require a background check for in-state private sales between two non-prohibited individuals. But 17 states have Universal Background Check (UBC) requirements that mandate a check on most private sales — even in-state. Interstate sales always require an FFL transfer to the buyer’s state, by federal law. GunTransfer handles both situations cleanly.
Is the background check real?
Yes. GunTransfer runs NICS background checks through our licensed FFL partner network. The PASS or FAIL result is the same NICS result you would get at a gun shop, with the same legal weight.
How long does the whole process take?
Most transfers complete in 10–20 minutes if both parties are signed in and have their IDs ready. The background check itself is typically returned in 60–90 seconds. In rare delayed cases, NICS can take up to 3 business days.
Can I do everything online, or do I need to go somewhere?
For the 37 states we serve directly, the entire transfer happens online from both parties’ phones. For states that mandate in-person FFL handoffs (CA, HI, IL, MA, NJ, NY, and situationally CO, DE, MD, OR, RI, VA, VT, WA), we prepare the paperwork online and you complete the in-person step at an FFL near you.
What if the buyer fails the background check?
The transfer is stopped. The seller is notified, the firearm stays with the seller, and you receive a full refund minus the NICS fee. The buyer can request the FBI explain the denial through standard NICS appeal channels.
States
Which 37 states do you serve directly?
The 37 states where private firearm transfers can be completed legally without an in-person FFL handoff. The states currently requiring in-person FFL transfers are CA, HI, IL, MA, NJ, NY, and (situationally) CO, DE, MD, OR, RI, VA, VT, WA. In those states, GunTransfer helps you find an FFL and prepares the paperwork, but the final transfer is in-person.
What if I’m in a state you don’t serve?
We serve all 50 states, but in restrictive states the transfer requires an in-person FFL appointment. GunTransfer still handles the paperwork, NICS check, and bill of sale — you just have to drive to the FFL to complete it.
What if the buyer and I are in different states?
Federal law requires interstate firearm transfers to go through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in the buyer’s state. GunTransfer locates an FFL near the buyer, ships through our network, and the buyer picks up after the NICS check clears.
Do you handle in-state and interstate sales the same way?
No. In-state sales in our 37 supported states are 100% online. Interstate sales always involve an FFL in the buyer’s state, which adds a shipping and pickup step but keeps the same flat $50 fee.
Cost
Is it really $50 flat?
Yes — $50 covers the NICS background check, identity verification, the bill of sale, and our document storage. No per-state add-ons, no “premium” tier, no surprise FFL transfer fee built in.
Are there hidden fees later (FFL fee, NICS fee, etc.)?
For interstate or in-person-required transfers, the receiving FFL charges their own transfer fee directly to the buyer (typically $25–$50). That fee is set by the FFL, not by us, and we tell you the amount upfront before you pay anything to GunTransfer.
Do you offer bundle discounts for multiple transfers?
Yes. If you’re transferring more than one firearm in a single appointment between the same two parties, additional firearms are $25 each instead of $50. Dealers and estate-liquidation clients can request volume pricing.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit/debit (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH bank transfer. We do not accept cryptocurrency or money orders at this time.
Can I get a refund if something falls through?
Yes. If the buyer fails NICS or backs out before the transfer completes, we refund everything except the $25 NICS fee (which we paid to the FBI on your behalf). If you cancel before the NICS check is run, you get a full refund.
Documentation
Is the bill of sale legally valid?
Yes. Our bill of sale is signed electronically by both parties using ESIGN-compliant signatures, timestamped, and stored on our secure servers. It satisfies every state’s record-keeping requirements for private firearm sales.
Where is the bill of sale stored?
Both parties receive a PDF copy by email immediately. We also keep a copy in your GunTransfer account vault for 10 years — longer than most state record-keeping requirements.
Do you report the transfer to ATF?
We don’t routinely report private transfers to ATF. We only respond to lawful subpoenas, court orders, or ATF traces tied to a specific firearm. We do not maintain a searchable database of who owns what.
What documents do both parties get?
Both parties receive: (1) a signed bill of sale PDF, (2) a NICS background check confirmation, (3) a copy of both IDs (redacted to the last 4 digits), and (4) a transfer certificate showing the date, location, and serial number.
What if I lose access to my account or paperwork?
We can re-issue all transfer documents for any transfer you completed through us. Just verify your identity through our support team. Documents are kept for 10 years from the transfer date.
Special Cases
Can I transfer NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, full-auto)?
Not through our standard $50 flow. NFA items require a federal Form 4 transfer, a $200 tax stamp, and ATF approval that typically takes 6–12 months. Contact our specialty team and we can connect you with an SOT-licensed FFL who handles NFA transfers.
Can I transfer a firearm I inherited?
Yes. Inheritance transfers are exempt from federal interstate restrictions when going to an immediate family member, but the state of the new owner still applies. If your state requires a background check for private transfers, you’ll still need to run NICS through us — even on an inherited gun.
Can I transfer an antique or pre-1898 firearm?
Antique firearms (manufactured before 1898) and qualifying pre-1898 replicas are exempt from federal Gun Control Act requirements, including NICS. You don’t legally need GunTransfer for these, but you may still want a bill of sale — we offer one for $15 with no background check.
What about home-built firearms (80% lowers, “ghost guns”)?
Federal law as of 2022 requires home-built firearms to have a serial number engraved by a licensed gunsmith before transfer. If your build has a compliant serial, we can transfer it normally. If not, we can’t help — you’ll need to get it serialized first.
Are there any firearms you won’t transfer?
We don’t transfer: unserialized firearms, post-86 machine guns (illegal for civilians), stolen firearms (we run serial-number checks), and firearms involved in active criminal investigations. We can transfer pre-86 transferable machine guns through our NFA specialty channel.
Account & Privacy
Is my transfer history private?
Yes. Your transfer records are stored in your private GunTransfer vault and not shared with anyone except: (1) the other party in each transfer, (2) the FBI for NICS purposes, and (3) law enforcement responding to a valid subpoena tied to a specific firearm.
Who can see my bill of sale?
Only you and the other party in the transfer. Our staff cannot browse user records — bill of sale access requires either party’s authentication, or a court order.
Do you share data with any third parties?
No. We do not sell, rent, or share your firearm transfer data with advertisers, data brokers, insurers, or any third party. We share only what’s legally required: NICS check data with the FBI, and serial numbers with manufacturers when running theft checks.
Can law enforcement subpoena my records?
Yes — like any business, we respond to lawful subpoenas tied to specific firearms or investigations. We don’t voluntarily hand over data, and we notify you when legally permitted to do so.
How long do you keep transfer records?
10 years from the transfer date, after which records are permanently deleted unless you request a longer retention. This matches the longest state-level record-keeping requirement.
