Firearm Transfers & Consignment Compliance

Private Party Transfer Requirements

When a private individual brings a firearm to your shop for transfer to another private individual, you're facilitating the transaction as an FFL. This means the firearm must be logged into your bound book as an acquisition, a 4473 must be completed by the receiver, a NICS check must be conducted, and the firearm must be logged out of your bound book as a disposition.

The fact that you're facilitating rather than selling doesn't reduce your compliance obligations. Treat every facilitated transfer with the same rigor as a sale from your own inventory. In states with universal background check laws — including Nevada — private parties are required to use an FFL for most transfers.

Interstate Transfer Rules

Federal law requires that interstate firearms transfers between non-licensees go through an FFL in the recipient's state of residence. If someone from another state wants to buy a handgun from your shop, the firearm must be shipped to an FFL in their home state for transfer. Long guns may be transferred across state lines if the sale complies with both states' laws.

As the shipping FFL, you must verify the receiving FFL's license before shipping. As the receiving FFL, you must process the transfer as any other — full 4473, NICS check, and bound book entries. Do not release the firearm until you've completed all compliance steps, regardless of what documentation the buyer shows from the shipping FFL.

Consignment Firearms Compliance

Consignment creates specific compliance obligations. When you accept a firearm on consignment, you're taking possession of it — which means it must be logged into your bound book as an acquisition. If the item sells, the sale is processed through your FFL with a full 4473 and NICS check for the buyer.

If the item doesn't sell and you return it to the consignor, you log a disposition back to the original owner. Track consignment items separately in your inventory system so you can distinguish between owned inventory and consigned goods — this matters for financial reporting and for the consignor's records.

Bravo's consignment POS handles this workflow automatically, maintaining separate tracking for consigned items while keeping your bound book compliant.

Estate and Inheritance Firearms

Firearms inherited through an estate follow specific rules. Direct inheritance by a lawful heir does not require a 4473 or NICS check under federal law — but the firearm must still comply with state law in the heir's state of residence. If the heir is in a different state than the deceased, an interstate transfer through an FFL is typically required.

When an estate executor brings firearms to your shop for sale or transfer, treat each firearm as a standard acquisition — log it into your bound book, verify the executor's authority (letters testamentary or letters of administration), and process any subsequent sale or transfer with full compliance.

Transfer Fees and State Variations

There is no federal regulation on transfer fees — you set your own pricing. Industry standard ranges from $20 to $75 per transfer depending on your market and the volume of transfer business you handle. Some states cap or regulate transfer fees; verify your state's requirements.

States vary significantly on which transfers require FFL facilitation. Some states require universal background checks on all private transfers. Others only require them for handguns. Many have no requirement beyond the federal baseline. Know your state's rules and communicate them clearly to your customers.