What is a Firearm Bill of Sale?
In Florida, the firearm bill of sale is a document that records the transfer of a firearm from one person to another. It is a legally binding document with details about the transaction. The state never provides government-issued forms to accomplish. However, any basic template is legal as long as it contains the identification details of the involved individuals. Also, it should capture the signatures of the parties.
How to Use a Firearm Bill of Sale?
The Florida firearm bill of payment is used to prove that a firearm in the state is changing ownership, has been traded, sold, or purchased.
Why Use a Bill of Sale in Florida?
To use a firearm bill of sale form is easy and straightforward. The state doesn't require you to fill the form when you sell or buy a firearm. However, it is strongly recommended since it serves various purposes. For instance, the form helps document the sale of various types of firearms.
Also, it shows proof of ownership, acts as a purchase receipt and protects the seller from liability of a sold gun.
How Do I Sell a Firearm in Florida?
When selling a firearm in Florida, it is always important to make sure the buyer is not under 21 years. Also, ensure the individual is not restricted from owning a firearm. What’s more, you need to include all the relevant details in the document.
Here are the simple steps involved when selling a gun in Florida:
Step 1: Provide details that identify the seller and the buyer. These details include full name, physical address, and driver’s license number.
Step 2: Describe the sold firearm in terms of caliber, make, model, and serial number, etc. Also, indicate the condition of the firearm and list any defects.
Step 3: Indicate the date when the ownership of the gun was transferred.
Step 4: Provide the purchase price and in case the payment occurs in different transactions, record them in your bill of sale.
Step 5: Both the seller and the buyer sign the document.
When all involved parties reach a consensus, they will append their signatures on the document in the presence of a legal representative. Afterward, the seller will make copies of the bill of sale for the parties involved and the original copy to the buyer.
Remember to indicate if there is any form of warranty or the buyer takes it as-is.
Register a Firearm in Florida
The state has minimum requirements when it comes to possessing a firearm in Florida. In Florida, residents aren’t compelled to register firearms with the state. As a matter of fact, the local authority is prohibited from doing so. It is illegal in Florida because of the statutory prohibition against firearm registration. The legislation considers the registry of legally owned firearms not a law enforcement tool. It has the potential of becoming an instrument of profiling, abusing, or harassing law-abiding citizens.
Also, the legislation takes into account the registry falling into the wrong hands and becoming a shopping list for thieves. What’s more, the registry is not a tool for fighting terrorism. It is for these reasons, the state doesn’t require mandatory registration of firearms to avoid abuse of American citizens. The only exceptions are when weapons are used to commit any crime, in cases of stolen firearms, convicted felons, and sales receipt, among others.
Even in these cases, there is a limit to how long the records can be kept.
Conclusion
Including a bill of sale when selling a firearm protects you from liability in case the buyer uses it illegally. The document captures particulars of the seller like their names, witnesses, notary information, and signatures among others. Although after purchasing a gun, a new owner may think registration of the firearm is the next step, it is not the case in Florida. The state prohibits registering firearms except for a few exceptions.
