A Nebraska Firearm Bill of Sale is a document that proves the sale and ownership transfer of a gun from one Nebraska resident to another.
It is a form that evidences legal ownership, and it helps minimize risks in a gun sale transaction.
Nebraska has a mix of relaxed and strict firearm laws. When selling a firearm, it is essential to understand the rules to avoid legal trouble.
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
The state does not require you to have a Nebraska firearm bill of sale.
You should consider creating one on your own to serve as proof of the transaction and that you collected all necessary information from the buyer.
Requirements
Private sellers must require buyers to have a certificate to purchase a firearm (Nebraska Revised Statute § 69-2403).
There are some exceptions:
- You are selling an antique gun.
- The buyer is a licensed firearms dealer under federal law.
- The buyer is authorized to do so on behalf of law enforcement.
- The buyer is a close family member (spouse, sibling, parent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or grandparent).
- The buyer has a valid concealed carry permit.
Note the certificate requirement only applies when you are selling a handgun. Buyers do not need a certificate to buy rifles or shotguns.
Buyers apply for a certificate through their local sheriff or chief of police (Nebraska Revised Statute § 69-2404).
They must undergo a background check, be at least 21, and not be on the prohibited buyer list.
The process takes two days, and the certificate remains valid for three years.
Restrictions
Nebraska defers to federal law for determining who is prohibited from possessing a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922).
Under federal law, the following conditions make a person ineligible:
- Felony conviction
- Fugitive from the law
- Substance addiction
- Not a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Dishonorable discharge from the military
- Subject to a court order for domestic violence
- Misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence
- Commitment to a mental institution
Firearm Inheritance Laws
If you wish to leave someone a firearm in your will, the heir is not required to get a certificate provided the recipient is at least 18 and a close family member as defined by state law.
Registration
You can purchase a firearm in the state without registration.
Law enforcement officials conducting background checks may only collect data as necessary to determine eligibility for purchasing and possessing a handgun (Nebraska Revised Statute § 69-2409.01).
Police do not keep records of firearm sales in the state.
Concealed Carry Permit
To apply for a concealed handgun permit in Nebraska, you must complete an application process.
Per Nebraska Revised Statute § 69-2433 and § 69-2441 an applicant must meet the following requirements to get a permit:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Not be a prohibited person under federal law
- Pass an eyesight test
- Have no felony convictions
- Have no misdemeanor crime of violence convictions in the last ten years
- Have no mental illness or dangerous-person finding in the past ten years
- Be a resident of the state for 180 days before the application
- Have no firearms-related convictions
- Not be on probation, parole, work release, or house arrest
- Undergo a background check
- Complete an approved handgun training and safety course per Nebraska Revised Statutes § 69-2432
The permit comes from the Nebraska State Patrol. It will include your name, address, and photo and the permit’s expiration date (Nebraska Revised Statute § 69-2434).
It is valid for five years.
How to Apply
Step 1 – Get Trained
Complete a valid handgun safety and training course. [1]
Step 2 – Complete Application
Fill out a Concealed Handgun Permit Application.
Step 3 – Show Proof of Training and Vision
Attach proof of handgun training and adequate vision.
Step 4 – Submit Application
Deliver your application to the nearest State Patrol Headquarters.
Step 5 – Get Fingerprinted
Submit fingerprints to the State Patrol and pass a Federal background check pursuant to NE Rev. Stat. § 69-2431.
Step 6 – Pay Fees
All applicants must pay an application fee.
Step 7 – Wait for Approval or Denial
The State Patrol approves or denies applications within 45 days of receiving them.
Gun Reciprocity
Nebraska recognizes permits from states with permit processing similar to its standards.
The current list of states includes:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- District of Columbia
Nebraska will honor permits from several additional states, but with limitations.
The following states permits are valid only if the holder is at least 21 years old:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Maine
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Wyoming
Nebraska will honor permits from the following states that meet the following specifications:
- Idaho – must be an enhanced permit only
- Iowa – must be a non-professional permit only
- Kansas – must be a standard permit only
- North Dakota – must be a Class 1 license only
- South Dakota – must be an enhanced permit only, with no restrictions enhanced
- Tennessee – must be an Enhanced Handgun Carry permit only and the holder must be at least 21 years old
- Utah – must be a Utah Code § 53-5-704 permit only
- West Virginia – must be a West Virginia Code § 61-7-4 CHL permit only
For all other states, individuals can bring their handguns through Nebraska when traveling without penalty, but they must have them secured, inaccessible, and unloaded.
Nebraska Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Nebraska firearm bill of sale.
