An Arkansas firearm bill of sale is a form a gun owner uses to transfer firearm ownership to another individual.
This document proves the firearm transfer from the seller to the buyer.
Firearm laws: Art. II, § 5, enacted 1868, art. I, § 5, Arkansas Code Section § 5-73-101
Restrictions: Yes
State permit to purchase: No
Registration of firearm: No
License to own: No
Assault weapon law: No
Magazine capacity restriction: No
Permit for concealed carry: No
Permit for open carry: No
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
You do not need a state permit to sell or purchase firearms in Arkansas (Art. II, § 5, enacted 1868, art. I, § 5), and you do not need to register your firearm.
Requirements
There are no special requirements to purchase or own a gun in Arkansas, aside from making sure the buyer is not prohibited by federal or state law.
Restrictions
One of the most important things to know when selling a firearm is the list of people prohibited from owning one. You could face legal issues if you sell a firearm to a prohibited owner.
Arkansas Code Section § 5-73-101 and A.C.A. § 5-73-103 utlines who cannot own firearms, which include:
- Minors (under the age of 18)
- Any person convicted of a felony
- People with a judgment of mental illness or who have been treated in a mental institution
A person can regain their rights. If this is the case, they should be able to present you with documentation that you will want to attach to the Arkansas firearm bill of sale.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Arkansas does not have any specific inheritance laws about firearms.
You need to follow the general rules about prohibited owners. Having a formal account of the transfer is a good idea, such as with a will or a gun trust.
Registration
There is no requirement to register a firearm in Arkansas or to alert police that you have sold or purchased a gun.
Concealed Carry Permit
While you do not need a license to own a firearm in Arkansas, you must secure a license to carry a concealed handgun, according to Arkansas law §5-73-301. You will need to go through the state police to get the permit.
How to Apply
You must meet the following requirements:
- Be an Arkansas resident for at least 90 days
- Be a US citizen
- Be at least 21 years old or 18 if you are a member of the US armed forces
- Be free of mental illness
- Be free of physical issues that would prevent you from safely handling a gun
- Have no felony convictions or active warrants
- Not be federally prohibited from possessing a firearm
- Be free of substance addiction
- Swear that carrying is for your personal defense
Step 1 – Fill Out Application
Complete an application with the Arkansas State Police.
Step 2 – Consent to Background Check
All applicants must pass a background check.
Step 3 – Pay Fees
Pay a $50 license fee. The fee is $25 if the applicant is 65 years of age or older. (current as of June 2023)
Step 4 – Wait for Approval or Denial
The state police will issue the license once it processes and approves your application.
Gun Reciprocity
Under Arkansas law §5-73-321, all concealed handgun carry permits issued from other states are recognized. However, you must follow all laws in the state for carrying.
Other states may honor an Arkansas license, subject to each state’s laws.
Arkansas Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of an Arkansas firearm bill of sale.
