A Pennsylvania Firearm Bill of Sale outlines the details of your private firearm transaction and serves as a record of the transfer.
It includes identifying information for the buyer and seller, critical details about the firearm, and purchase details, including the purchase price.
18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(a) requires that a seller wait 48 hours before delivering a firearm to a purchaser.
The firearm must also be securely wrapped and unloaded when it is transferred.
Firearm laws: 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(a), 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4
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: Yes
Permit for open carry: No
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
Private parties are allowed to sell firearms in Pennsylvania. A private party is treated as an individual who wants to transfer a firearm to another individual, not a licensed firearm dealer.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(c), a person who is not a licensed dealer can sell or transfer a firearm to another unlicensed person, but it must occur with a licensed firearms dealer or at a local county sheriff’s office.
This ensures that a proper background check is conducted during the sale. This requirement does not apply to long guns.
Requirements
Pennsylvania requires a bill of sale. In addition to your bill of sale, you must complete an Application/Record of Sale Form (SP4-113).
The actual form is only available upon request and supplied by the Pennsylvania State Police. A copy of the completed form is sent to the state police and kept in their records.
Under Pennsylvania law, you will need to include the following documents with your firearm bill of sale:
- Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473): This form includes buyer and seller information and details about the firearm.
- Application/Record of Sale (Form SP4-113): This form is only available upon request from the Pennsylvania State Police.
You must notarize your bill of sale under Pennsylvania law.
Restrictions
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 and applicable federal laws, the following persons are prohibited from purchasing a firearm:
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- A person convicted of an offense listed in subsection (b) of that statute
- A person convicted of a crime of violence
- A fugitive from justice
- A habitual drunkard, drug addict, or a person deemed mentally incompetent
- A person subject to an abuse protection order that removes firearm possession rights
- A person convicted of driving under the influence on three or more separate occasions
- A person illegally or unlawfully in the United States
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Firearms are personal property and can be inherited in Pennsylvania.
Most inherited firearms do not require a separate transfer form. Exceptions exist for destructive ordnance and specialized weapons.
Registration
18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4 prohibits government or law enforcement agencies from requiring formal registration of privately owned firearms.
Private sales of handguns are documented and sent to Pennsylvania State Police. Sales of long guns and other firearms that do not require a background check are not forwarded to law enforcement.
Concealed Carry Permit
A concealed carry license is required in Pennsylvania. To apply, you must be 21 years of age or older.
How to Apply
Take the following steps to apply for a concealed carry permit.
Step 1 – Obtain Application
Get a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms Application from your local sheriff’s office (sample License to Carry Firearms Application from City of Philadelphia Police Department)
Step 2 – Submit References
Present two valid references.
Step 3 – Submit ID
Provide a valid driver’s license or identification card with a current address.
Step 4 – Prove Residency
Show two forms of proof of residency.
Step 5 – Take Photos
Provide a 2″ x 2″ passport-style color photo.
Step 6 – Get Fingerprinted
Have your fingerprints taken during the application process.
Step 7 – Pay Fees
All applicants must pay a fee to obtain a permit per 18 PA Cons Stat § 6109(h).
A License to Carry Firearms allows the concealed carry of a firearm on a person or in their vehicle, and the license is valid for five years unless revoked.
Gun Reciprocity
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109(k), Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with all states except for the following states:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Washington
Pennsylvania Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Pennsylvania firearm bill of sale.
