Private Gun Transfer

[Legallyme88]

Hello,
I know that in VA it is not necessary to register a gun and thus change the name a gun is in. However, had a gun bought for me as a gift and would really prefer to cover my ass and have the gun in my name. I have searched but did not find a form to transfer ownership. Is there an easy way to do this?

Thanks

[OakRidgeStars]

There is no such form because it cannot be done. No registration in Virginia means just that. You don't have to register it.

[BW1911]

Agree with ORS, but if you and the person who gave you the gun are both residents of VA, and you have a burning desire to be able to prove ownership for some reason, then I would think the easiest way to establish ownership would be a simple Bill of Sale. There is no need to send that info anywhere, that would just be for your files, to prove legal ownership. No need to carry that proof around, though.

[Legallyme88]

Ok. Thanks! I might be moving in the next couple years and I just wanted all my paperwork for my guns to stay in order just in case I have to move.

[mk4]

i've used this: http://virginialegaldefense.com/Stuff/D ... ferBOS.PDF
several times. it was created by attorney Dan Hawes (forum id: user). it'd be an extreme understatement to say that he is very well-versed in firearms law in va and beyond.

hth.

[Diomed]

If you're really OCD about it, you have a couple of options. One is to put the gun up on consignment with a dealer, then take it off consignment. You'll have to fill out a 4473 and get a background check in order to get it back. The other is to pawn it at a licensed pawnbroker, and then redeem it. You'll get a pre-pawn NICS check, and then when getting it out of hock you'll undergo another check, 4473, etc.

That's as close as it gets for registration. If you want to go the extra mile, go to a place that's likely to go out of business in the next twenty years, so that the forms you fill out will get forwarded to ATF, who optically scans them into some kind of record. (The state forms are submitted weekly, but don't identify the gun beyond its type.)

[jdonovan]

Ok. Thanks! I might be moving in the next couple years and I just wanted all my paperwork for my guns to stay in order just in case I have to move.

All your paperwork is in order, because there is NONE to be in order.

[Legallyme88]

Thank you all!!

[skeeterss0]

another idea is to do a bill of sale from the gift giver to you...you could buy it for a dollar. As was stated above tho, no bill of sale is required but most people do one for both the previous owner and new owners protection.

[VBshooter]

Get the original sales receipt from the buyer and be done with it!

[MrSmitty]

Any list could lead to confiscation............I lost all mine in a tragic boating accident.......

[mk4]

Any list could lead to confiscation............I lost all mine in a tragic boating accident.......

you, too??

[snatale42]

There is no such form because it cannot be done. No registration in Virginia means just that. You don't have to register it.

While it's true that there is no registration, in that situation where you REALLY want it to be xfered to you for the paper trail you can have a pawn shop pawn then immediately give the gun back to you which will make it a legit xfer.

[gunderwood]

Ok. Thanks! I might be moving in the next couple years and I just wanted all my paperwork for my guns to stay in order just in case I have to move.

All your paperwork is in order, because there is NONE to be in order.

+1

[VBshooter]

[dorminWS]

Seems prudent to me to NOT create a paper trail unless and until you need one. If that happens, there will always be pawn shops. Or get a Bill of Sale (or even a Deed of Gift) from your donor and just keep in case you even need it.