A Virginia Firearm Bill of Sale records a private firearm sale.
Buyers and sellers can use it to record transactions and protect themselves from fraud.
A firearm bill of sale contains details about the firearm transferred and the seller’s and buyer’s names and signatures.
Virginia law does not have a waiting period for purchasing firearms and there are few laws restriction possession.
Firearm laws: Virginia Code § 18.2-308.2:5, Virginia Code §§ 18.2-308
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
Any Virginia resident who can legally own and purchase a firearm by state law can also sell one privately.
Requirements
There are no specific requirements when purchasing a firearm in Virginia.
Restrictions
Note that Virginia Code § 18.2-308.2:5 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 has undergone a criminal history background check.
Additionally, according to Virginia Code § 18.2-308.2, the following people cannot purchase or own a firearm:
- 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
Per Virginia Code § 18.2-309, people under 18 are prohibited from owning or buying firearms.
Anyone who knowingly sells a firearm to a minor will be deemed to have committed a Class 6 felony.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
You do not have to register a firearm you inherited from a relative.
Registration
You do not have to register a gun in Virginia.
Virginia law does not require you to send a record of firearms to the police.
Concealed Carry Permit
Under Virginia Code §§ 18.2-308 and 18.2-308.01, 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.
Per Virginia Code §§ 18.2-287.4 and 18.2-282, Virginia allows permitless open carry for people 18 or older except under the following circumstances:
- 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
How to Apply
Per Virginia Code § 18.2-308.02, any person who is 21 or older may apply for a five-year CHP.
Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1 – Obtain Application
Download and complete the CHP application.
Step 2 – Submit Proof of Competence
Attach proof of firearm competence as required by Virginia Code § 18.2-308.02(B).
Step 3 – Turn in Application
Submit the application in person or by mail to your local county or city court clerk.
Step 4 – Pay Fee
All applicants must pay the appropriate filing fee.
The clerk will approve or deny the application within 45 days of receiving it.
Gun Reciprocity
According to Virginia Code § 18.2-308.014, Virginia recognizes the concealed carry permits of all states that issue them to their residents.
Every state recognizes Virginia permits except for the following:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Virginia Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Virginia firearm bill of sale.
