Free Kentucky Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale
Kentucky is a Constitutional Carry state under HB 169 (2019), meaning no permit is required to carry a concealed firearm — and no background check is required for private party firearm sales between Kentucky residents. While there is no legal requirement to use a bill of sale in a private sale, it is the single most important document you can create to protect yourself if the firearm is later reported stolen, used in a crime, or becomes subject to a legal dispute. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 527 governs firearms offenses.
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Kentucky Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Standard Kentucky sales tax of 6% applies to firearms purchased from dealers. Private party sales between Kentucky residents are not subject to sales tax collection obligations.
Inspection Requirements
No state inspection required. Machine guns still need an approved federal NFA transfer; ATF stopped requiring approval for suppressors on October 9, 2026.
Kentucky Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Record the firearm's make, model, caliber, and full serial number in the bill of sale
- Include the buyer's and seller's full legal names, addresses, dates of birth, and the date and location of the transfer
- Include a statement that the seller certifies, to the best of their knowledge, that the firearm is not stolen and they are legally permitted to sell it
- Include a statement that the buyer certifies they are legally permitted to possess firearms under federal and Kentucky law
- Both parties sign and date the bill of sale; each retains a copy
- Seller keeps their copy permanently — it is your evidence that the firearm left your possession on a specific date to a specific person
- For a machine gun, verify ATF has approved the Form 4 before transferring
Common Pitfalls
- Not using a bill of sale at all — if the firearm is later reported stolen or used in a crime, a bill of sale with the buyer's information is your primary protection; without it you may face difficult questions from law enforcement
- Selling to someone you have reason to believe is prohibited from possessing firearms — even without a background check requirement, knowingly selling to a prohibited person is a federal felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922
- Omitting the serial number — a bill of sale without the serial number does not definitively tie you to a specific firearm transfer
- Transferring a machine gun without an approved ATF Form 4 in the buyer's name — this is a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison
- Assuming Constitutional Carry eliminates all legal obligations — it only removes the state permit requirement for carry; all federal laws (background checks at dealers, prohibited persons, NFA rules) remain fully in force
Pro Tip
Store your gun bill of sale with your permanent records — not just digitally. In the event of a law enforcement inquiry about a firearm you previously owned, a paper copy with original signatures is far more persuasive than a digital file.