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Free Maine Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

Maine is one of the most permissive states in the Northeast for firearms transactions. There is no permit-to-purchase, no state firearm registry, constitutional carry for handguns since 2015, and — critically — no universal background check requirement on private sales (Maine voters rejected Question 3 in 2016). Private party-to-party transfers between Maine residents who are both legally allowed to possess firearms are lawful without a dealer or background check. A bill of sale is not legally required, but it protects both parties: it documents the date, parties, and serial number, which matters if the firearm is later misused, lost, or stolen. Federal rules still apply to dealer sales, NFA items, and interstate transfers.

Maine Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 5.5% 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? →

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

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
N/A
No state agency (Maine is permissive — no permit-to-purchase, no state firearm registry)
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
5.5%
Title Required
No
Maine does not register firearms or require titles. Federal NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, machine guns) require ATF Form 4 and tax stamp.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Maine 5.5% sales tax applies to retail firearm purchases through dealers. Private casual sales between Maine residents are not subject to sales tax collection by the seller, though use tax technically applies to the buyer.

Inspection Requirements

No firearm inspection or registration in Maine. Federal law still applies: licensed dealer transfers require Form 4473 and NICS background check.

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

  1. Verify both parties are Maine residents and legally allowed to possess firearms (not prohibited persons under 18 USC 922(g))
  2. Write a bill of sale: buyer/seller full names and addresses, date of birth, driver's license numbers, firearm make/model/caliber/serial number, sale price, and date
  3. Both parties retain a signed copy permanently (no state filing required)
  4. For interstate transfers, federal law requires the firearm to ship to a licensed FFL dealer in the buyer's state for Form 4473 and NICS check
  5. For NFA items (suppressors, short-barrel rifles, machine guns), use ATF Form 4 with $200 tax stamp and CLEO notification — months-long wait
  6. Optional but recommended: voluntary NICS check via a licensed FFL ($25-$50) before private transfer to confirm buyer is not prohibited
  7. If selling to someone you do not personally know, ask for a state ID and document it on the bill of sale

Common Pitfalls

  • Selling to someone you have reason to believe is a prohibited person (felon, domestic abuser, addict) — federal felony exposing seller to up to 10 years in prison even without a state background check requirement
  • Failing to use an FFL for an out-of-state buyer — federal felony under 18 USC 922(a)(5), regardless of how casual the sale seems
  • Transferring an NFA item without a tax stamp — 10 years federal prison and forfeiture; a $200 stamp and 6-12 month wait is the only legal path
  • No bill of sale, then the firearm is later used in a crime — without documentation of the transfer, the original purchaser of record (you) faces investigative scrutiny
  • Assuming Maine's permissive law overrides federal law — it does not; federal age limits, prohibited-person rules, and NFA rules apply in full

Pro Tip

Maine's permissive system puts responsibility on the seller. A two-page bill of sale and a quick ID check protect you legally and morally — there is no excuse to skip them.

Maine Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I need a background check to buy or sell a gun privately in Maine?
No. Maine voters rejected universal background checks in 2016 (Question 3), so private sales between Maine residents do not require a NICS check. Both parties must be Maine residents and legally allowed to possess firearms. Selling knowing or having reason to know the buyer is a prohibited person is a federal felony regardless of state law. Many sellers voluntarily use an FFL for $25-$50 to run a NICS check anyway — it shifts liability and provides documentation. For interstate sales, federal law requires an FFL transfer.
Is a bill of sale legally required for a Maine gun transfer?
No, Maine does not require one for private sales. But it is strongly recommended. The bill of sale documents that ownership left your hands on a specific date — if your previously-owned firearm is later traced from a crime scene, ATF will start with the last documented purchaser (you). Without a bill of sale, you have nothing to show the firearm was lawfully transferred. Include both parties' names, addresses, IDs, the firearm's make/model/serial, and signatures. Keep it permanently.
Can I sell a gun to someone in New Hampshire or Massachusetts directly?
No. Federal law (18 USC 922(a)(5)) prohibits private interstate firearm sales — they must go through a licensed dealer (FFL) in the buyer's state, who runs a NICS background check on Form 4473. This is true even if your buyer is your neighbor across the New Hampshire line. Massachusetts buyers face additional state-level restrictions (compliance roster, permits). Plan for FFL fees ($25-$75 each side) and shipping costs. Violating this is a federal felony with up to 5 years imprisonment.
Does Maine sales tax apply to private gun sales?
Technically, Maine 5.5% use tax applies to private firearm purchases by Maine residents, but enforcement on casual person-to-person sales is essentially nonexistent. Retail purchases through a Maine FFL include sales tax collected at point of sale. If you buy from out-of-state through an FFL transfer, the receiving Maine FFL typically collects use tax. For high-value collections sold privately, document the price honestly — if Maine Revenue Services audits, having the bill of sale supports your reporting position.

Other Maine Templates

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