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Free Connecticut Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

Connecticut has one of the strictest firearms-transfer regimes in the country. Every sale or transfer of a firearm — including private-party sales — must go through a federally licensed dealer (or local law enforcement for long guns) who performs a federal NICS background check, verifies the buyer's state-issued credential (Pistol Permit, Eligibility Certificate, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate), and submits the DPS-3 form to the CT State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit. Connecticut also enforces an Assault Weapons Ban and large-capacity magazine ban enacted after 2013. A bill of sale supplements but does not replace the state's mandatory transfer paperwork.

Connecticut Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 6.35% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Gun / Firearm Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

Important: Federal and state laws may require a background check for firearm transfers. This bill of sale does not replace any legal requirements for background checks, waiting periods, or other regulations. Please consult your local laws before completing this transaction.

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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? →

Connecticut Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
CT DESPP
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
0.0635%
Title Required
No
Firearms are not titled. Connecticut requires every transfer (including private sales) to go through a federally licensed dealer or law enforcement for a background check, and a DPS-3 (Sale or Transfer of All Firearms) form must be filed with the state Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

CT 6.35% sales tax generally applies to firearms sold by dealers; private-party sales are subject to 6.35% use tax, self-reported by the buyer.

Inspection Requirements

No mechanical inspection, but Connecticut law requires that the buyer present a valid Connecticut Pistol Permit, Eligibility Certificate for Pistols and Revolvers, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate before any firearm transfer. The dealer/LEO conducts a NICS background check and the DPS-3 transfer form is filed with CT State Police.

Connecticut Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Confirm the buyer holds a valid CT Pistol Permit, Eligibility Certificate for Pistols and Revolvers, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate
  2. Schedule the transfer at a federally licensed dealer (FFL) or, for long guns, with local law enforcement
  3. The FFL/LEO performs a federal NICS background check on the buyer
  4. Complete and submit the DPS-3 (Sale or Transfer of All Firearms) form to CT State Police within 48 hours
  5. Verify the firearm is not on Connecticut's Assault Weapons list and that magazines comply with the 10-round limit
  6. Buyer and seller execute a bill of sale listing make, model, caliber, serial number, sale price and date
  7. Buyer self-reports CT 6.35% use tax if the sale was private and untaxed

Common Pitfalls

  • Conducting a "private" sale without going through an FFL or LEO — illegal in CT and a Class D felony
  • Selling to a buyer without verifying their state Eligibility Certificate or Permit
  • Transferring a banned assault weapon or magazine over 10 rounds
  • Forgetting to file the DPS-3 form within 48 hours of transfer
  • Skipping the bill of sale and lacking proof of transfer if the firearm is later misused
  • Assuming long guns are unregulated — CT requires a Long Gun Eligibility Certificate for every long-gun transfer

Pro Tip

Connecticut firearm transfers must go through an FFL or LEO with a NICS check, verified state eligibility credential, and DPS-3 filing — the bill of sale is supplemental. Verify CT compliance before listing any AR/AK-pattern rifle or high-capacity magazine.

Connecticut Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs

Can I sell a gun privately in Connecticut without going through a dealer?
No. Since 2013 (post-Sandy Hook), Connecticut requires every firearm transfer — handgun or long gun, dealer or private — to go through a federally licensed firearms dealer or, for long guns, a local law enforcement agency. The intermediary verifies the buyer's eligibility credential, runs a federal NICS background check, and submits the DPS-3 transfer form to the CT State Police. Conducting an off-the-books private sale is a felony. The bill of sale you exchange is supplemental documentation, not a substitute for the state-mandated process.
What state credential does the buyer need to purchase a firearm in CT?
For handguns: a valid Connecticut Pistol Permit (carry permit) or an Eligibility Certificate for Pistols and Revolvers. For long guns (rifles and shotguns): a Long Gun Eligibility Certificate. All three are issued by CT DESPP after a state and federal background check, fingerprinting, and a state-approved firearms safety course. There is no exception for "private" sales — the buyer must present one of these credentials at the FFL or LEO transfer, and the seller must verify it. Out-of-state buyers must comply with their home-state and federal law.
What is the DPS-3 form and who files it?
The DPS-3, formally titled "Sale or Transfer of All Firearms," is the Connecticut State Police form that documents every firearm transfer in the state. It captures the seller, the buyer, the firearm's make, model, caliber and serial number, and the buyer's eligibility credential. The federally licensed dealer or law enforcement officer who facilitates the transfer files the DPS-3 with the CT State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit within 48 hours. The seller and buyer also retain a copy. This is in addition to the federal ATF Form 4473.
Are assault weapons or large-capacity magazines legal in Connecticut?
Connecticut's 2013 law expanded the state's Assault Weapons Ban and prohibited the sale or transfer of magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Pre-ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines lawfully owned before April 4, 2013 had to be registered/declared with CT State Police; they cannot be sold or transferred to another CT resident, only to an FFL, out-of-state buyer, or by inheritance. Selling a banned firearm or magazine in violation of the law is a serious felony. Always verify any AR/AK-pattern rifle is CT-compliant before transferring.
What information should I put in a Connecticut gun bill of sale?
Include both parties' full legal names, addresses, dates of birth and ID/credential numbers (the buyer's Pistol Permit, Eligibility Certificate, or Long Gun Eligibility Certificate number); the firearm's make, model, caliber, type and serial number; the sale price and date; the FFL or law-enforcement agency that processed the transfer; and the DPS-3 confirmation. Both parties should sign. The bill of sale plus the DPS-3 protects the seller if the firearm is later misused — it shows lawful transfer through proper channels. Notarization is not required but is a sensible precaution for valuable firearms.

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