Arkansas Firearm Bill of Sale
Arkansas does not require a bill of sale for an eligible in-state private firearm sale — neither state nor federal law makes one a condition of the transfer. Arkansas law does prohibit furnishing a firearm to a minor without consent from a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the minor's general supervision, and treats furnishing a handgun to a known felon as a separate offense.
A Bill of Sale still earns its place at the meetup. It's the buyer's and seller's own record of what was sold, to whom, and when — useful if a firearm is ever reported lost or stolen, if a question comes up about who owned it on a given date, or simply so both sides have something in writing beyond a handshake.
This Arkansas-specific template mirrors the fields Arkansas gun owners actually need: full party details, the firearm's make, model, caliber, and serial number, the sale terms, and an eligibility acknowledgment written around Arkansas's private-sale rules.
No printing required. Both parties can complete and sign the Bill of Sale from their phones when you meet, then receive signed PDF copies by email.
Prefer paper instead? Download the blank Arkansas template, print it, and bring it to the meeting.
Download Arkansas PDF TemplateArkansas private-sale law snapshot
Background check: An occasional private sale between eligible Arkansas residents generally does not require a background check.
Bill of Sale requirement: No general Arkansas or federal rule requires a record for an occasional same-state private sale, but a bill of sale can document it.
An occasional private transfer between eligible Arkansas residents generally does not require an FFL or background check. Do not transfer to a prohibited person or furnish a firearm to a minor without the consent required by Arkansas law.
Federal law does not require an FFL, background check, or federal record for an occasional transfer between unlicensed residents of the same state. The reviewed Arkansas statutes do not add a universal private-transfer mandate.
Arkansas prohibits furnishing a firearm or other deadly weapon to a minor without consent from a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the minor's general supervision. Furnishing a handgun is treated more seriously under the statute.
A seller must not transfer a firearm to a prohibited recipient. Arkansas separately criminalizes furnishing a handgun to a person the transferor knows has a felony conviction, while federal law adds its own prohibited-person rules.
A transfer to an out-of-state resident generally must go through an FFL in the recipient's state. Gifts and family transfers ordinarily remain subject to the federal interstate-transfer rule.
A bill of sale is not generally required for an occasional Arkansas private sale, but it can document the parties, firearm, date, consent where applicable, and eligibility representations.
When to use a Arkansas Bill of Sale
- Confirm both parties are Arkansas residents — an in-state private sale is treated differently under federal law than a sale to an out-of-state resident, which generally has to go through an FFL.
- Confirm the buyer is not someone you know or have reason to believe is prohibited from possessing a firearm — Arkansas separately criminalizes furnishing a handgun to a person you know has a felony conviction.
- If the buyer is a minor, get consent from a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the minor's general supervision before furnishing the firearm.
- Record the firearm's make, model, caliber or gauge, and serial number exactly as they appear on the firearm.
- Agree on and record the price or other consideration and the transfer date, then have both parties sign and keep a copy.
Arkansas Firearm Bill of Sale FAQ
- Do I need a bill of sale to sell a gun in Arkansas?
- No. Federal law does not require an FFL, background check, or federal record for an occasional transfer between unlicensed Arkansas residents, and the reviewed Arkansas statutes do not add a universal private-transfer mandate. A Bill of Sale is optional, but it gives both parties a written record of the transaction.
- Can I sell a gun to anyone in Arkansas without a background check?
- For an occasional, eligible in-state private sale between Arkansas residents, generally yes — Arkansas does not require an FFL or background check for that specific case. You still may not furnish a firearm to a minor without the supervisory consent Arkansas law requires, or furnish a handgun to someone you know has a felony conviction.
- Does an Arkansas bill of sale need to be notarized?
- No — this template does not require a notary, and the reviewed Arkansas sources do not identify a notarization requirement for a private firearm sale. If a specific transaction calls for one, wait to sign until the notary is present.
- What if the buyer is from out of state?
- A private seller generally may transfer to an eligible resident of their own state without going through a dealer, but a transfer to an out-of-state resident generally must go through an FFL in that buyer's state. Gifts and family transfers ordinarily remain subject to that federal interstate-transfer rule.
- Is this Arkansas bill of sale a substitute for an FFL transfer?
- No. A Bill of Sale documents a transaction; it does not replace an FFL transfer, background check, required supervisory consent for a minor, or any other legal requirement that applies to a specific sale — for example, an interstate transfer, or a sale involving an NFA-regulated firearm.