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Free New York Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

New York is the most regulated firearms state in the country, and a private-party gun "bill of sale" is essentially a record of a transaction that must legally go through a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) under the 2013 NY SAFE Act. ALL private transfers — handguns and long guns — require an FFL-conducted NICS background check (the only exception is immediate-family inheritance). Handguns additionally require the buyer to hold a NY Pistol Permit issued by their county (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and the rest of NY each have their own permit application processes, often taking 6-12+ months) AND to amend that permit to list the specific firearm BEFORE the transfer can be completed. The SAFE Act bans assault weapons by feature definition and limits magazines to 10 rounds. NYC layers on its own permit and registration system. Skip any of this and you're looking at a Class E felony for handguns or a Class A misdemeanor for long guns. Use the bill of sale only as a written record AFTER the FFL transfer is complete — never as a substitute for the legal process. If you're reading this and unsure whether your sale is legal, the answer is: see an FFL before money changes hands.

New York Requirements: Transfer title within 180 days. 8% 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? →

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

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
NY State Police
New York State Police — Pistol Permit Bureau (handguns) / Federal Firearms Licensee (all transfers)
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
New York is one of the strictest firearms states in the country. The 2013 NY SAFE Act made ALL private firearm transfers — handguns AND long guns — go through a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) for a NICS background check. Handguns also require a county-issued NY Pistol Permit (the buyer's permit must list the specific firearm via amendment before transfer). Long guns require a Firearm Owner ID-equivalent process and the SAFE Act background check. Direct private-party transfer without an FFL is a Class A misdemeanor (long guns) or Class E felony (handguns). NYC adds further restrictions including a separate NYC permit and registration system for residents.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

New York does not impose sales tax on private-party firearm transfers between individuals (non-dealer). FFL transfer fees ($25-100) and NICS background check fees are paid to the FFL directly and are not taxable. Dealer sales include ~8% NY sales tax in the purchase price.

Exemption: Inheritance transfers between immediate family members are exempt from the FFL/NICS requirement under SAFE Act § 5 — but the recipient must still possess a valid NY Pistol Permit for any handgun received, and the transfer must be reported to the State Police within 10 days. Out-of-state inheritances must be transferred through an FFL.

Inspection Requirements

NY does not require firearm inspections, but: (1) all handguns must be on the buyer's NY Pistol Permit before transfer (amendment process via the issuing county); (2) the SAFE Act bans certain "assault weapons" defined by features (detachable magazine + one military-style feature) and magazines over 10 rounds — verify the firearm is legal in NY before agreeing to buy; (3) NYC has additional bans and registration requirements that go beyond state law. The FFL conducting the transfer will refuse any non-compliant firearm.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Pistol Permit Bureau (handguns) / NY State Police (all firearms via NICS) — not the same agency that handles cars in New York. Plan for separate filings.

New York Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Confirm the firearm is legal under the NY SAFE Act — NOT an assault weapon by feature definition, magazines hold 10 rounds or fewer
  2. For handguns: verify the buyer holds a valid NY Pistol Permit issued by their county of residence
  3. For handguns: complete the permit-amendment process to add the specific firearm to the buyer's permit BEFORE transfer
  4. Schedule the transfer at a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) — required for ALL private transfers under the SAFE Act
  5. Both parties bring government-issued photo ID, the firearm (unloaded, cased), and any permits to the FFL
  6. Buyer completes ATF Form 4473 at the FFL and passes a NICS background check
  7. Pay the FFL transfer fee ($25-100) — separate from any payment to the seller
  8. Record the firearm's make, model, caliber, serial number, condition, and accessories on the bill of sale (kept by both parties)
  9. For NYC residents: complete additional NYC permit and registration requirements before possession
  10. Both parties keep the bill of sale, FFL transfer record, and permit amendments indefinitely — NY State Police can audit

Common Pitfalls

  • Conducting a private transfer without an FFL — Class E felony for handguns, Class A misdemeanor for long guns under the SAFE Act
  • Selling a handgun to someone who lacks a NY Pistol Permit — felony for both parties, even if the buyer applies later
  • Selling without amending the buyer's permit first — the buyer cannot legally take possession even after the FFL transfer until the amendment is complete
  • Transferring an "assault weapon" by SAFE Act definition (detachable mag + pistol grip, folding stock, threaded barrel, etc.) — banned for transfer to most NY residents
  • Selling a magazine over 10 rounds — banned for sale or transfer in NY since 2013
  • NYC residents skipping the additional NYC permit/registration — separate from state requirements and strictly enforced
  • Assuming inheritance bypasses everything — only IMMEDIATE-FAMILY inheritance skips the FFL, and the recipient still needs a Pistol Permit for any handgun
  • Treating the bill of sale as the legal transfer document — the FFL's 4473 + NICS is the legal transfer; the bill of sale is only a payment record

Pro Tip

NY is the strictest gun state in the country: every private transfer (handgun OR long gun) requires an FFL + NICS check, handguns require a Pistol Permit amendment before transfer, and NYC adds another permit layer — skip any step and you're facing felony charges.

New York Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs

Can I sell a long gun privately in NY without going through a dealer?
No — the 2013 NY SAFE Act made private long-gun transfers go through a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) for a NICS background check, just like handguns. The only exception is immediate-family transfers (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild). Any other private long-gun transfer — friend, neighbor, online stranger — must be conducted at an FFL with a 4473 and NICS check. Skip the FFL and you're committing a Class A misdemeanor (first offense) or felony (subsequent offenses), with the firearm subject to forfeiture. The FFL transfer fee is typically $25-50, and the process takes 30 minutes if NICS comes back instant. There is no legal shortcut.
How does the NY Pistol Permit work for buying a handgun?
Every NY county (and NYC, separately) issues its own Pistol Permits, with applications going through the county's licensing officer (usually a judge or sheriff). Application processes take 6-12+ months and include fingerprinting, character references, an application fee ($10-340 depending on county), and in many counties a safety course. Once issued, the permit lists every handgun you own — and to BUY a new handgun, you must first amend the permit through the issuing county (forms vary, typically ~$3-5 per amendment) BEFORE you take possession. The seller cannot transfer a handgun to you until your amendment is approved. NYC permits do not transfer to upstate counties and vice versa — moving counties requires a new permit. Plan months ahead.
I inherited my dad's rifles. Do I need to do an FFL transfer?
No, immediate-family inheritance is exempt from the FFL/NICS requirement under SAFE Act § 5 — that includes spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, and sibling. For long guns, you can take possession directly. For handguns, you still need a valid NY Pistol Permit (or apply for one and the firearms can be held in escrow by an FFL or the executor in the meantime), and you must amend the permit to add each handgun within a reasonable time (10 days is the customary reporting window). Out-of-state inheritances (your dad lived in NJ, you live in NY) DO require an FFL transfer because the firearms cross state lines. Document everything with the executor's letter and the will — NY State Police occasionally audit inheritance claims.
How do I know if a rifle I want to buy is legal under the SAFE Act?
The SAFE Act bans semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine PLUS one of: pistol grip, folding/telescoping stock, thumbhole stock, second pistol grip, bayonet lug, flash suppressor, muzzle brake, threaded barrel, or grenade launcher. Pre-1994 features (folding stock alone, etc.) may be exempt if registered. Most modern AR-15s and AK-pattern rifles are banned for transfer to NY residents UNLESS modified to a "NY-compliant" configuration (fixed magazine, no pistol grip, featureless build, etc.). Magazines over 10 rounds are banned regardless of rifle. Before agreeing to buy, ask the seller for the rifle's exact configuration — pistol grip Y/N, threaded barrel Y/N, magazine capacity — and confirm with the FFL conducting the transfer. The FFL will refuse non-compliant transfers and you'll lose your deposit if you didn't verify first.
The seller wants to do a "no paperwork" cash deal. What's the risk?
For you, catastrophic. A private NY firearm transfer without an FFL is a Class A misdemeanor for long guns (up to 1 year jail, $1,000 fine) or a Class E felony for handguns (up to 4 years state prison, $5,000 fine), with the firearm forfeited. For a handgun, a no-paperwork buy ALSO means the firearm isn't on your Pistol Permit — possessing an unlisted handgun is itself a Class A misdemeanor minimum. If the firearm was used in a crime by the previous owner, you have NO record of when you got it, NO NICS clearance, and NO defense — you're the last documented owner, and NY State Police will treat you as a suspect. The FFL transfer fee is $25-50. Pay it. There is no scenario where a "no paperwork" gun sale ends well in New York.

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