Since Virginia passed a universal background check law in 2020, background checks are now required for all gun sales, including person-to-person or private sales. [2] X Research source For the sake of convenience, it’s usually also best to go ahead and complete the sale immediately after the background check is approved—so look for an FFL dealer that works for both you and the buyer.
Send a copy of the bill of sale to your buyer before you go to the dealer to finalize the transaction. That way, you can be sure that you agree on the price and a method of payment in advance.
If the dealer was making the sale, they would fill out the seller’s portion. But since this is a private sale that the dealer has nothing to do with, you’ll fill out that section yourself.
The dealer typically charges a fee to run the background check. The fee varies depending on the dealer but is usually less than $20. Make sure you and the buyer are on the same page about which one of you is paying the fee.
The dealer might instruct you to go to a private room, or even out in the parking lot, to complete the transaction once the background check is complete.
This isn’t the same thing as becoming an FFL dealer—it just means you have a table at the event and can display the firearms and other goods you have for sale. You’re still considered a private party for the purposes of a firearm transaction.
Having the forms ready to go saves you time at the gun show while also ensuring that you have a record of every transaction you complete there.
If you’re not a licensed dealer, you can only sell firearms at gun shows to fellow Virginia residents. [12] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms U. S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products Go to source
This makes things much easier if you’re thinking about buying a gun as a gift for someone who lives in another state. Just buy a gift card for a dealer that is local to them.
Generally, the person you want to give a firearm to has to be over the age of 18 with a clean criminal record. If you have questions about whether they’re legally allowed to possess a firearm, it’s a good idea to give them a gift card to an FFL dealer instead.
For example, if you’re trading a gun to a family member in exchange for them doing some work around your house, that wouldn’t qualify as a gift and your family member would need to get a background check. The Virginia State Police recommends calling the Firearms Transaction Center at (804) 674-2292 before you make the actual transfer. [19] X Research source This way, you can make sure your transfer follows all applicable federal and state laws.
