A friend of mine was given a handgun as a birthday present some years ago. The question has come up about who actually owns the weapon. When you purchase, you fill out a Form-4473 which details who originally purchased the weapon, but no paperwork was done when it was given as a present. This is in Alabama, BTW. I've done some checking online and since Alabama doesn't require purchase permits for handguns there's very little information. The original purchaser doesn't recall filling out a F-4473, but it's my understanding that's a federal requirement nationwide.

What we want to avoid is any dispute over ownership of the weapon in the future. If the only documentation was the original F-4473, there's no proof it was actually given as a present.

Get a bill of sale filled out for it. In Oklahoma their is no requirements for private party sales. No paperwork, you don't even need to know their name. I think possibly if you KNOW it is illegal for them to own a gun you are allowed to sale it to them, but good luck proving that.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: Get a bill of sale filled out for it. In Oklahoma their is no requirements for private party sales. No paperwork, you don't even need to know their name. I think possibly if you KNOW it is illegal for them to own a gun you are allowed to sale it to them, but good luck proving that.

Yeah, I'm thinking a Bill of Sale at the very least, but was wondering if there was anything more "official" needed.
There's no gun registration, yet the BATF can find out who originally purchased any weapon.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: Get a bill of sale filled out for it. In Oklahoma their is no requirements for private party sales. No paperwork, you don't even need to know their name. I think possibly if you KNOW it is illegal for them to own a gun you are allowed to sale it to them, but good luck proving that.

Same here. Except for the part about knowingly selling to a person that isn't allowed to have one.

If you have any police friends it wouldn't hurt to have them sign the BOS too. ( that was suggested to me ). On the BOS, be sure to get their drivers license #. Can only help if later the gun is used in a crime, as you are the last 'known' owner they will come to you.

Gun stores might do it too, for a small fee.

[This message has been edited by Nurb432 (edited 05-28-2011).]