Transfer of ownership of pistol
- Thread starter .40 to go
- Start date
Justice06RR
New member
Unfortunately since you live in different states, I believe you have to go through an FFL. If you lived in the same state, it would not be an issue and he can just hand you the firearm with no legalities involved.
check with a local gun shop to be certain, but as far as I know, transfers involving 2 different states needs a FFL
check with a local gun shop to be certain, but as far as I know, transfers involving 2 different states needs a FFL
oneounceload
Moderator
As far as NC regs go, I can't help; but as far as transferring the gun - you need to find an FFL in your state to do the transfer - most charge somewhere in the $25 area. You will need to make sure that the FFL will accept the shipment from a non-FFL (your father). If he won't then your father will need to use a FFL on his end as well to ship it. This can actually be cheaper since a non-FFL can only ship via the UPS/Fedex route and that is very expensive, whereas a FFL can use USPS flat rate box
Frank Ettin
Administrator
The easiest thing for the OP to do is find a local FFL who will do the transfer. The OP's father, or an FFL on his behalf, can then simply send the gun to the OP's transfer FFL who will transfer the gun. It would be legal for the OP's father to send the gun directly to the transfer FFL, but some FFLs will not, as a matter of business practice, accept a gun for transfer directly from an individual.
The transfer FFL will transfer the gun to the OP with all normal formalities, i. e., completion of a 4473 and satisfaction of any state law requirements in the OP's State or residence.
[1] Under federal law, any transfer (with a few, narrow exceptions, e. g., by bequest under a will) from a resident of one State to a resident of another must be through an FFL.
[2] In the case of handguns, it must be an FFL in the transferee's State of residence. You may obtain a handgun in a State other than your State of residence, BUT it must be shipped by the transferor to an FFL in your State of residence to transfer the handgun to you.
[3] In the case of long guns, it may be any FFL as long as (1) the long gun is legal in the transferee's State of residence; and (2) the transfer is in compliance with the laws of the State in which it takes place; and (3) the transfer complied with the law of the transferee's State of residence.
[4] In connection with the transfer of a long gun, some FFLs will not want to handle the transfer to a resident of another State, because they may be uncertain about the laws of that State. And if the transferee resides in some States (e. g., California), the laws of the State may be such that an out-of-state FFL will not be able to conduct a transfer that complies.
[5] There are no exceptions under the applicable federal laws for gifts, whether between relatives or otherwise, nor is there any exception for transactions between relatives.
[6] The relevant federal laws may be found at: 18 USC 922(a)(3); 18 USC 922(a)(5); and 18 USC 922(b)(3).
The transfer FFL will transfer the gun to the OP with all normal formalities, i. e., completion of a 4473 and satisfaction of any state law requirements in the OP's State or residence.
[1] Under federal law, any transfer (with a few, narrow exceptions, e. g., by bequest under a will) from a resident of one State to a resident of another must be through an FFL.
[2] In the case of handguns, it must be an FFL in the transferee's State of residence. You may obtain a handgun in a State other than your State of residence, BUT it must be shipped by the transferor to an FFL in your State of residence to transfer the handgun to you.
[3] In the case of long guns, it may be any FFL as long as (1) the long gun is legal in the transferee's State of residence; and (2) the transfer is in compliance with the laws of the State in which it takes place; and (3) the transfer complied with the law of the transferee's State of residence.
[4] In connection with the transfer of a long gun, some FFLs will not want to handle the transfer to a resident of another State, because they may be uncertain about the laws of that State. And if the transferee resides in some States (e. g., California), the laws of the State may be such that an out-of-state FFL will not be able to conduct a transfer that complies.
[5] There are no exceptions under the applicable federal laws for gifts, whether between relatives or otherwise, nor is there any exception for transactions between relatives.
[6] The relevant federal laws may be found at: 18 USC 922(a)(3); 18 USC 922(a)(5); and 18 USC 922(b)(3).
Frank Ettin
Administrator
Oops, I probably should have made that clear. Sorry. Thanks.Don H said:
Furminator
New member
If there are no legal reasons barring either of you from owning a handgun and he obeys the laws for transporting a handgun through the states he will be driving, that should pretty much be it.
Actually I think he may need to go to a gun shop in MI and pay them to transfer the gun to a gun shop in NC. Then the local gun shop will transfer the gun to you. Visit a local shop and discuss this with them and see if they can assist. I may be mistaken, so maybe someone else will chime in.
Correct me if I am wrong, but unless the gun is an antique (pre-1899), because the transfer is between states, it must go through a licensed dealer.
What would have to happen is your grandfather would either have to ship the gun to a federally licensed dealer in your state and then you would have to pick the gun up from this dealer, or if he happens to come for a visit, he can go with you to the licensed dealer. In either case, what you do then is fill out the paperwork and pass a background check as if you were actually buying a gun (there is almost always a fee for this), and then the gun is all yours.
What would have to happen is your grandfather would either have to ship the gun to a federally licensed dealer in your state and then you would have to pick the gun up from this dealer, or if he happens to come for a visit, he can go with you to the licensed dealer. In either case, what you do then is fill out the paperwork and pass a background check as if you were actually buying a gun (there is almost always a fee for this), and then the gun is all yours.
Furminator
New member
I was under the impression that if it was a gift exchanged between two legally eligible people, no more paper work was required. I mean, I've given and been given guns in the past and I never filled out any paper work or even heard it was required.
Furminator, not to pick on you, because I was under the same mistaken impression for years.... but Federal law requires a handgun be transferred via an FFL, for interstate transfers. The FFL must be in the receiving state.
.40 to go, I'd recommend you go to gunbroker.com, and look at their "Find an FFL" page. Enter your zip code, and pull up the list of local FFLs. Call them, find out what their transfer fees are, and if they will accept the gun directly from your grandfather. Some FFLs will only accept an out-of-state gun from an FFL in the originating state.
Once you've found the FFL you want to deal with, he will tell you how to proceed.
.40 to go, I'd recommend you go to gunbroker.com, and look at their "Find an FFL" page. Enter your zip code, and pull up the list of local FFLs. Call them, find out what their transfer fees are, and if they will accept the gun directly from your grandfather. Some FFLs will only accept an out-of-state gun from an FFL in the originating state.
Once you've found the FFL you want to deal with, he will tell you how to proceed.
This is true for transfers within many (maybe even most) states, but not when it's between two different states. For example, I live in Oregon, if I wanted to gift a gun to someone else in Oregon, then all that is legally required is for me not to have any reason to believe the recipient isn't eligible. No paperwork, FFL's, etc.
I have a brother who lives in a neighboring state, however... so if I wanted to gift him a gun, or he wanted to gift a gun to me, it would need go through an FFL, fill out paperwork, and do the background check.
How about you move in with your grandfather long enough to establish residency then he can give you the gun and then you can move with it. 
What a pain, I have never heard of anyone going through all that to gift a gun to a relative. Guess I learned more than one new thing today.
What a pain, I have never heard of anyone going through all that to gift a gun to a relative. Guess I learned more than one new thing today.
There are restrictions on interstate loans of handguns as well.
Not sure why people are so eager to avoid $50 in transfer fees and a 4473 form, but in theory at least we aren't supposed to recommend circumventing or breaking the law on TFL.
Just realize that's what some of you folks are, in fact, recommending.
Not sure why people are so eager to avoid $50 in transfer fees and a 4473 form, but in theory at least we aren't supposed to recommend circumventing or breaking the law on TFL.
Just realize that's what some of you folks are, in fact, recommending.
Varies by state. In this fine state, all your guns must be printed on your permit, so you would have to go through this process. It is also true all interstate transfers must go through FFLs.
On top of that, I think North Carolina may require something; I know they do issue permits, so based on that I don't think there's any way it could be legal to not involve FFLs and probably the state.
On top of that, I think North Carolina may require something; I know they do issue permits, so based on that I don't think there's any way it could be legal to not involve FFLs and probably the state.