Louisiana is one of the most permissive firearm states in the country — no permit-to-purchase, no waiting period, no firearm registration, and as of July 4, 2024, full constitutional carry for any law-abiding adult 18 or older. A private-party firearm sale between Louisiana residents requires no background check, no FFL transfer, and no government paperwork. That said, a written (and ideally notarized) bill of sale is strongly advised: it documents the date and serial number you transferred ownership, which protects you if the firearm later turns up at a crime scene. Sales of NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, machine guns) are governed by federal ATF rules, not Louisiana law.
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? →
Louisiana Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Louisiana Firearm Bill of Sale (Notarized recommended)
Firearms have no state title in Louisiana. The bill of sale plus the federal Form 4473 (when purchased through a Federal Firearms Licensee) constitutes the ownership record. Private party sales between Louisiana residents do not require an FFL transfer or background check under state law. NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, machine guns) require ATF Form 4 transfer with $200 tax stamp and CLEO notification — those are federal, not state.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Private-party firearm sales between Louisiana residents are generally treated as casual non-dealer transactions and not subject to sales tax collection at the point of transfer. Dealer sales are subject to standard 4.45% state + parish sales tax (8–11% combined).
Exemption: Casual private-party isolated sales between individuals (non-dealers) are not subject to sales tax. Dealer-to-consumer sales are taxed.
Inspection Requirements
No state-mandated inspection or registration of firearms in Louisiana. Louisiana adopted CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY effective July 4, 2024 (Act 2 of 2024 First Extraordinary Session) — any law-abiding adult 18+ may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The Louisiana State Police still issues optional concealed handgun permits for reciprocity with other states. No permit-to-purchase, no waiting period, no firearm registration, and no "assault weapon" or magazine-capacity restrictions exist at the state level.
Louisiana Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
Confirm both buyer and seller are Louisiana residents and legally allowed to possess firearms (not prohibited persons).
Record make, model, caliber, and serial number on the bill of sale.
Include date, sale price, and full names/addresses of buyer and seller.
Ask to see the buyer's Louisiana ID — though not legally required, it documents residency.
Notarize the bill of sale (recommended in Louisiana given civil-law tradition).
For NFA items, complete ATF Form 4, pay $200 tax stamp, wait for ATF approval before transfer.
Keep your copy of the bill of sale indefinitely as proof of transfer date.
For interstate private sales, federal law requires shipment through an FFL.
Common Pitfalls
Selling to a person you know or suspect is a prohibited person — federal felony regardless of state law.
Failing to record the serial number — you lose your paper trail if the gun is later used in a crime.
Ignoring NFA rules for suppressors/SBRs/machine guns — federal ATF requirements still apply.
Shipping a firearm directly to an out-of-state buyer — federal law requires FFL-to-FFL transfer.
Assuming constitutional carry means anyone can carry — prohibited persons (felons, domestic-violence misdemeanants, etc.) still cannot.
Pro Tip
Louisiana is permissive — no permit, no waiting period, no registration — but a notarized bill of sale with the serial number is still smart paperwork.
Louisiana Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Louisiana require a background check for private firearm sales?
No — Louisiana does not require a background check, FFL transfer, or any government paperwork for a private-party sale of a firearm between Louisiana residents who are both legally allowed to possess firearms. There is no state firearm registry. Federal law still applies: it is a federal crime to knowingly sell a firearm to a "prohibited person" (felon, domestic-violence misdemeanant, person under indictment, drug user, dishonorably discharged veteran, etc.), and ignorance of buyer status is a thin defense if the gun is used in a crime. A bill of sale documenting the buyer's ID and the transfer date is your best protection.
What is constitutional carry and when did it take effect in Louisiana?
Constitutional carry — sometimes called "permitless carry" — means any law-abiding adult 18 years of age or older may carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana without obtaining a permit. Louisiana enacted constitutional carry through Act 2 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session, signed by Governor Jeff Landry on March 5, 2024, with an effective date of July 4, 2024. Open carry has long been legal in Louisiana for adults 18+. The Louisiana State Police continues to issue optional concealed handgun permits because many other states only honor permit-holders for reciprocity. Federal "gun-free zones" (post offices, federal courthouses, schools, etc.) remain off-limits regardless of constitutional carry.
Should I notarize a private firearm bill of sale?
Notarization is not legally required for a private firearm transfer in Louisiana, but it is strongly recommended given the state's civil-law tradition and the legal weight courts give notarized documents. Notarization establishes that both parties actually signed on the date stated, which becomes important if the firearm is later recovered at a crime scene with the seller still listed as the last known owner. For $5–$10 at a bank or UPS Store you get a Louisiana notary acknowledgment that virtually closes the door on "I never sold him that gun" disputes. Always record make, model, caliber, and serial number.
Can I sell a firearm to a buyer from another state?
Not directly — federal law (Gun Control Act of 1968) prohibits a non-licensee from transferring a firearm to a resident of another state except through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in the buyer's state of residence. To sell a handgun to an out-of-state buyer, you ship it to an FFL in their state, and the FFL runs a NICS background check and completes a Form 4473 before releasing the firearm. Long guns may be sold in person across state lines if the FFL handles the transfer in either state and the sale complies with both states' laws. Louisiana state law alone does not permit private interstate transfers — federal law preempts.
Do I need to do anything special for NFA items like suppressors or short-barreled rifles?
Yes — NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, AOWs, destructive devices) are governed by federal law regardless of Louisiana's permissive stance. Transfers between individuals require ATF Form 4, a $200 tax stamp ($5 for AOWs), photographs, fingerprints, CLEO notification, and ATF approval that typically takes 6–12 months. You may not transfer the item until ATF approves the Form 4. NFA trusts and individual ownership are both valid in Louisiana. A Louisiana state bill of sale is fine as supplementary documentation but does not substitute for the federal Form 4 process.