Free Missouri Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale
Missouri is one of the most permissive firearm states in the country. Constitutional carry has been law since 2017, there is no permit-to-purchase, no waiting period, no firearm registry, and no state-mandated background check for private-party transfers between Missouri residents. Federal law still applies: a licensed dealer (FFL) must run a NICS background check on any sale they make, you cannot knowingly sell to a prohibited person, and NFA items move only through ATF-approved transfers. A clear written bill of sale is therefore the seller's primary protection if the buyer later misuses the firearm or walks into a crime scene with it.
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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? →
Missouri Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Private / FFL
Private firearm transfer (no state registration); federal background check requirements apply through licensed dealers (FFLs)
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
Missouri does not register, license, or title firearms. Private-party transfers between Missouri residents do not require a background check, permit, or waiting period under state law. NFA items (suppressors, short-barreled rifles, machine guns) follow federal ATF rules.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Casual private-party firearm sales between individuals are generally not subject to Missouri sales tax. Sales by licensed firearm dealers are taxed at the standard 4.225% state plus local rate.
Inspection Requirements
No state inspection or registration; federal NFA items require ATF Form 4 transfers and approval before possession.
Missouri Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- List buyer, seller, sale date, sale price, and full identification (driver's license number and state) for both parties.
- Record the firearm's make, model, caliber, type (handgun, rifle, shotgun), and serial number exactly as engraved.
- Have buyer affirm in writing that they are a Missouri resident, are at least 18 (long gun) or 21 (handgun) years old, and are not a prohibited person under federal law.
- Sell "as-is" with no warranty; both parties sign and each keeps a copy.
- For NFA items, do not transfer until ATF approves the Form 4; the bill of sale dates from approval, not purchase.
- Consider running the transfer through an FFL voluntarily; the dealer runs NICS and gives both parties a documented chain of custody.
- Keep your copy indefinitely; serial-numbered records are the seller's defense if the gun surfaces in an investigation.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling to someone you suspect is a prohibited person; that is a federal felony regardless of Missouri's permissive state law.
- Selling a handgun to anyone under 21 or a long gun to anyone under 18.
- Transferring an NFA item before ATF Form 4 approval; that is illegal possession.
- Skipping the bill of sale because Missouri does not require one; if the gun is later used in a crime, you have no record showing when it left your hands.
- Selling a private firearm across state lines without going through an FFL in the buyer's state.
Pro Tip
Keep your signed bill of sale indefinitely. Missouri has no firearm registry, so this document is the only proof you owned the gun, when it left your hands, and to whom it transferred.
Missouri Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Missouri require a background check for private-party gun sales?
No. Missouri law does not require a background check, permit-to-purchase, or waiting period for private firearm transfers between Missouri residents. Constitutional carry has been law in Missouri since 2017, meaning permitless concealed carry is also legal for most adults. Federal law still applies: licensed dealers must run NICS background checks on every sale, and any private seller who knowingly transfers a gun to a prohibited person (felons, domestic abusers, drug users, illegal aliens, dishonorable discharges) commits a federal felony. Many Missouri private sellers voluntarily route transfers through an FFL for the documentation and peace of mind.
Why do I need a bill of sale if Missouri does not require one?
Because the bill of sale is your defense if the firearm is later used in a crime. Missouri has no firearm registry, so once you sell a gun there is no state record that it left your possession. If law enforcement traces the serial number back to you, a signed and dated bill of sale identifying the buyer and including their ID information is your proof that you transferred ownership before any criminal use. It also proves the buyer agreed to the sale, the price, and the as-is condition. Skipping the paperwork to save five minutes is one of the worst decisions a private firearm seller can make.
What are the age limits for buying a gun in Missouri?
Federal law sets the floor: 18 to buy a long gun (rifle or shotgun) and 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer. Missouri does not impose stricter state limits, but federal law also applies to private sales: a private seller cannot transfer a handgun to anyone under 18 (state limit) and federal law generally bars transferring handguns across state lines outside of FFL channels. Selling a handgun to someone under 21 in a private Missouri sale is a gray area federally and is best avoided. Always check the buyer's ID and confirm Missouri residency before a private transfer.
Are NFA items like suppressors and SBRs legal in Missouri?
Yes. Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns lawfully registered under the federal National Firearms Act are legal to own in Missouri. Transfers go through the ATF using Form 4 (for individuals or trusts), require a $200 tax stamp per item ($5 for AOWs), include fingerprints and photos, and take months to clear. The seller cannot release the item until ATF approves the transfer, and the bill of sale should be dated to the approval date, not the original payment date. Missouri does not impose any additional state-level NFA registration or fees on top of federal requirements.
Can I sell a Missouri firearm to someone from out of state?
Not directly. Federal law requires that long guns sold across state lines move through an FFL in the buyer's state, and handguns must move through an FFL in the buyer's state of residence. The simplest path: ship the firearm to an FFL near the buyer (handguns must ship via common carrier from an FFL or licensed shipper, long guns can sometimes ship from the seller directly to the receiving FFL), the FFL runs NICS, and the buyer picks it up. Selling a firearm directly to a non-Missouri resident in person is a federal violation even if both parties have clean records.