Missouri Firearm Bill of Sale
Missouri does not require a bill of sale for an eligible in-state private firearm sale — an occasional transfer between eligible Missouri residents generally needs no FFL or background check. Missouri law does make it a felony to knowingly sell, lend, give, or otherwise deliver a firearm to a person disqualified under RSMo 571.070, and separately bars recklessly providing a firearm to anyone under 18 without consent from the minor's custodial parent or guardian.
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 Missouri-specific template mirrors the fields Missouri 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 Missouri'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 Missouri template, print it, and bring it to the meeting.
Download Missouri PDF TemplateMissouri private-sale law snapshot
Background check: An occasional same-state private transfer between eligible Missouri residents generally needs no background check.
Bill of Sale requirement: Missouri generally requires no bill of sale for an occasional lawful private transfer, although a record can be useful.
An occasional transfer between eligible Missouri residents generally needs no FFL or background check.
Missouri makes it a felony to knowingly sell, lend, give, or otherwise deliver a firearm or ammunition to a person disqualified under RSMo 571.070. Federal law separately bars a transfer when the seller knows or has reasonable cause to believe the recipient falls within a federal prohibited-person category.
A transferor also may not recklessly provide a firearm to a person under eighteen without consent from the minor's custodial parent or guardian, or recklessly provide a firearm or ammunition to an intoxicated person. Missouri also criminalizes knowingly using materially false information or inducing a dealer or private seller to complete an unlawful transfer.
Interstate transfers ordinarily must pass through an FFL in the recipient's state, and a person who is engaged in the business of dealing in firearms must be federally licensed. An occasional lawful intrastate sale is treated differently from operating as a dealer.
When to use a Missouri Bill of Sale
- Confirm both parties are Missouri 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 disqualified under RSMo 571.070 or otherwise prohibited under federal law.
- If the buyer is under 18, get consent from the minor's custodial parent or guardian first — providing a firearm to a minor without it is treated recklessly under Missouri law.
- Never act as the named buyer for someone else, and never accept materially false information intended to disguise an unlawful sale.
- Record the firearm's make, model, caliber or gauge, and serial number exactly as they appear on the firearm, along with the price and transfer date, then have both parties sign and keep a copy.
Missouri Firearm Bill of Sale FAQ
- Do I need a bill of sale to sell a gun in Missouri?
- No. Missouri generally requires no bill of sale for an occasional lawful private transfer, and an occasional transfer between eligible Missouri residents generally needs no FFL or background check either. A voluntary bill of sale does not legalize an otherwise prohibited transfer.
- Can I sell a gun to anyone in Missouri without a background check?
- For an occasional, eligible in-state private sale between Missouri residents, generally yes — Missouri does not require an FFL or background check for that specific case. You still may not knowingly sell, lend, give, or deliver a firearm to someone disqualified under RSMo 571.070, or recklessly provide one to a person under 18 without parental or guardian consent.
- Does a Missouri bill of sale need to be notarized?
- No — this template does not require a notary, and the reviewed Missouri 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?
- Interstate transfers ordinarily must pass through an FFL in the recipient's state, and a person engaged in the business of dealing in firearms must be federally licensed. An occasional lawful intrastate sale is treated differently from operating as a dealer.
- Is this Missouri 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.