Virginia Firearm Bill of Sale Form

A Virginia firearm bill of sale records a private firearm sale. Buyers and sellers can use it to record gun transactions and protect themselves from fraud. This document contains details about the seller, the buyer, and the gun transferred.

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State Laws for Selling a Gun in Virginia

Minimum Age to Purchase

A person must be at least 21 to purchase a handgun from a licensed firearms dealer and at least 18 to purchase a shotgun or rifle from a licensed firearms dealer. [1]

Permit for Purchase

You don’t need a permit to buy a firearm in Virginia. You will need to undergo a criminal history record information check unless certain scenarios apply to you. For example, you don’t need this check to purchase an antique or replica. [2]

Register a Gun

You do not have to register a gun in Virginia. The state only requires machine guns to be registered with the Virginia State Police.

Open Carry Permit

Virginia allows permitless open carry for people 18 or older except under the following circumstances: [3] [4]

• If the firearm holder is in a city or county that does not allow open carry
• If the firearm holder is carrying a specific type of firearm that is not permitted in certain cities or counties

Concealed Carry Permit

Concealed carry is legal in Virginia for residents with a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) and non-residents with any valid state permit or license. [5] [6]

How to Apply

Any person who is 21 or older may apply for a five-year CHP. [7] Follow these steps to get started:

• Step 1 – Obtain Application: Fill out the CHP application.
• Step 2 – Submit Proof of Competence: Attach proof of firearm competence. [8]
• Step 3 – Turn in Your Application: Submit the application in person or by mail to your local county or city court clerk.
• Step 4 – Pay the Fee and Wait: All applicants must pay the appropriate filing fee. The clerk will approve or deny your application within 45 days of receipt.

Gun Reciprocity

Virginia recognizes the concealed carry permits of all states that issue them. [9] Thirty-six states recognize Virginia’s concealed carry permit.

Restrictions on Firearm Ownership

Virginia prohibits any person from selling a firearm for money, services, or anything else of value unless the seller has received verification from a licensed firearms dealer that the State Police have approved the buyer and that the buyer has undergone a criminal history background check. [10]

The following people cannot purchase or own a firearm: [11]

• People convicted of felonies
• People who were adjudicated delinquent as juveniles 14 years or older for specific violent crimes
• People under the age of 29 who were adjudicated delinquent as juveniles 14 years or older for offenses that would be felonies if committed by adults
• People acquitted of a crime due to insanity
• People who have been legally declared incapacitated or incompetent
• People who were involuntarily admitted to a facility and required to undergo mandatory outpatient treatment
• People subject to protective orders
• People who have been convicted of two misdemeanor offenses for possessing controlled substances within a 36-month consecutive period
• People subject to emergency substantial risk orders or substantial risk orders

People under 18 are prohibited from owning or buying firearms. [12] Anyone who knowingly sells a firearm to a minor will be deemed to have committed a Class 6 felony.