Louisiana Firearm Bill of Sale
Louisiana does not require a bill of sale for an eligible in-state private firearm sale — an occasional lawful transfer between eligible Louisiana residents generally needs no FFL or background check. Louisiana law does make it a crime to intentionally transfer a firearm to someone the transferor knows is prohibited, and separately bars a sale or other delivery for value to a person under 18, with lack of knowledge of the recipient's age not a defense.
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 Louisiana-specific template mirrors the fields Louisiana 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 Louisiana'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 Louisiana template, print it, and bring it to the meeting.
Download Louisiana PDF TemplateLouisiana private-sale law snapshot
Background check: An occasional same-state private transfer between eligible Louisiana residents generally needs no background check.
Bill of Sale requirement: Louisiana generally requires no bill of sale for an occasional lawful private transfer, though a record can be useful.
An occasional lawful transfer between eligible Louisiana residents generally needs no FFL or background check.
Louisiana does not generally require an occasional, intrastate transfer between unlicensed residents to go through a dealer. State law does, however, make it a crime to intentionally give, sell, lend, deliver, or otherwise transfer a firearm to someone the transferor knows is prohibited under state or federal law.
A sale or other delivery for value to a person under eighteen is prohibited, and lack of knowledge of the recipient's age is not a defense. Separately, Louisiana generally bars a person under eighteen from knowingly possessing a handgun on the person, but lists exceptions for safety courses, range use, hunting, certain travel, possession at home or on permitted property, and possession with written parental permission.
Federal law ordinarily requires a transfer between residents of different states to be completed through an FFL in the recipient's state, even when the parties meet in Louisiana. An unlicensed person also may not repeatedly buy and resell firearms as a business without the required federal license.
When to use a Louisiana Bill of Sale
- Confirm both parties are Louisiana 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 is prohibited under state or federal law.
- Confirm the buyer is not under 18 — a sale or other delivery for value to a minor is prohibited, and not knowing the buyer's age is not a defense.
- 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.
Louisiana Firearm Bill of Sale FAQ
- Do I need a bill of sale to sell a gun in Louisiana?
- No. Louisiana generally requires no bill of sale for an occasional lawful private transfer, and an occasional lawful transfer between eligible Louisiana residents generally needs no FFL or background check either. A voluntary bill of sale documents a transaction but does not legalize a prohibited transfer.
- Can I sell a gun to anyone in Louisiana without a background check?
- For an occasional, eligible in-state private sale between Louisiana residents, generally yes — Louisiana does not require an occasional, intrastate transfer between unlicensed residents to go through a dealer. You still may not transfer to someone you know is prohibited, or sell or deliver for value to a person under 18.
- Does a Louisiana bill of sale need to be notarized?
- No — this template does not require a notary, and the reviewed Louisiana 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?
- Federal law ordinarily requires a transfer between residents of different states to be completed through an FFL in the recipient's state, even when the parties meet in Louisiana. Confirm residency, identity, age, and eligibility before relying on the in-state private-sale rules described here.
- Is this Louisiana 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, or any other legal requirement that applies to a specific sale — for example, an interstate transfer, or a sale involving an NFA-regulated firearm.