Arizona has been a constitutional-carry state since 2010 and treats lawful firearms transactions between residents as a private matter. There is no state firearm registry, no permit-to-purchase, no waiting period, and no state-mandated background check on private-party sales between Arizona adults who may legally own guns. A bill of sale is still strongly recommended as the buyer's and seller's record of the transaction — make, model, serial number, caliber, date, and signed acknowledgment that both parties believe the other is a lawful possessor. Federal law overlays the basics: NFA items require ATF approval, and inter-state transfers must go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder.
Private firearm sales carry more legal requirements than most buyers realize — background check laws, waiting periods, and prohibited-person rules vary widely by state. Our guide explains when a bill of sale is legally required and what it must say. Read: Do I Need a Bill of Sale? →
Arizona Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Firearms are not titled in Arizona. The bill of sale plus the buyer's personal records and any optional voluntary background check are the documentation.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
No private-party sales tax on firearms in Arizona. Dealer (FFL) sales include the 5.6% state TPT plus city/county add-ons (effective 7-9.5%).
Exemption: Private-party transfers between Arizona residents are not subject to TPT. Family transfers and gifts are also untaxed.
Inspection Requirements
Arizona is a constitutional-carry state — no permit, no registration, no waiting period, and no state-mandated background check for private-party transfers between two Arizona residents who lawfully may possess firearms. Federal law still applies: NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, machine guns) require ATF Form 4 transfer with tax stamp; inter-state transfers must go through an FFL.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by No state firearm registry in Arizona — not the same agency that handles cars in Arizona. Plan for separate filings.
Arizona Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
Record make, model, caliber, type (handgun/long gun), serial number, sale price, and date
Both parties affirm Arizona residency and that neither is a federally prohibited person
For inter-state transfers, ship to an FFL in the buyer's state and complete ATF Form 4473 there
For NFA items (suppressor, SBR, machine gun), file ATF Form 4 with $200 tax stamp before transfer
Optional: voluntary FFL background check on a private-party sale for extra peace of mind
Each party keeps a signed copy — Arizona has no state filing requirement
Verify any local city or HOA restrictions if relevant
Common Pitfalls
Selling to someone you have reason to believe is a prohibited person — federal felony regardless of state law
Shipping a firearm directly across state lines instead of through an FFL
Transferring an NFA item without filing ATF Form 4 and waiting for approval
Confusing constitutional carry with no rules — federal prohibitions still apply
Forgetting to record the serial number, leaving no proof if the firearm is later recovered
Assuming a CCW permit is needed — Arizona requires no permit for adults 21+ to carry concealed
Pro Tip
Arizona's firearms law is among the most permissive in the country — and the bill of sale is your private record. Capture serial number, confirm legal possession, and follow federal rules on inter-state and NFA transfers.
Arizona Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs
Do I need a background check to buy a gun privately in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not require background checks on private-party firearm transfers between two Arizona residents who may lawfully possess firearms. There is no state registry, no permit-to-purchase, and no waiting period. Federal law still prohibits transferring a firearm to anyone the seller knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a prohibited person — felons, those under domestic-violence orders, certain mental-health adjudications, illegal drug users, and others. Many private sellers ask the buyer to sign a statement of eligibility and show ID, and some pay an FFL a small fee to run a voluntary NICS check for additional protection.
Is Arizona a constitutional carry state?
Yes. Since 2010, Arizona has been a constitutional-carry state, meaning any adult 21 or older who may legally possess a firearm can carry it openly or concealed without a permit. Arizona still issues optional CCW permits — useful for reciprocity with other states and for purchases at FFLs that bypass the federal NICS waiting period. Federal "gun-free school zone" rules and federal-property restrictions still apply, and individual businesses, federal buildings, polling places, secured airport areas, and certain other locations remain off-limits. Constitutional carry does not change the rules for prohibited persons or for NFA items.
Can I sell a gun across state lines from Arizona?
Not directly. Federal law requires that any inter-state transfer of a firearm to a non-licensed individual go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. The Arizona seller ships the firearm to an FFL in the buyer's state; the buyer completes ATF Form 4473 and the FFL runs a NICS check before releasing the gun. Long guns may sometimes be sold face-to-face in a contiguous state if both states' laws allow, but the safer path is always FFL-to-FFL. Sending a firearm directly to an out-of-state non-licensee is a federal felony.
Do I owe tax on a private gun sale in Arizona?
No. Arizona's 5.6% Transaction Privilege Tax (plus city/county add-ons reaching 7-9.5%) applies to retail sales by licensed firearms dealers, not to casual private-party sales between Arizona residents. There is also no state excise tax on firearms or ammunition beyond regular TPT on dealer sales, and no use-tax filing requirement on private transfers. Federal taxes apply only to NFA items: $200 tax stamp on most Form 4 transfers (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, machine guns) and $5 on Any Other Weapons (AOWs). Keep your bill of sale as proof the transaction was an untaxed private-party transfer.