Last Updated: May 27, 2026
Arkansas ranks among the most firearms-friendly states in the country - Constitutional Carry since 2013, no background check for private sales, no waiting period, no registration, and no magazine limits. Private sales are entirely unregulated at the state level beyond federal prohibited person rules. Arkansas is also home to SIG Sauer's ammunition factory and ranks 4th nationally for per-capita firearms industry output — gun culture runs deep here. But under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-119, selling to a prohibited person carries serious consequences. This Bill of Sale documents the buyer's ID and the transfer date — your only paper trail in a state that keeps no records.
📄 Arkansas Receipt Form Preview:
Executing a Firearm Sale in Arkansas
Generating your official Arkansas gun bill of sale takes less than 5 minutes using our interactive builder above. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-119, recording the precise serial number, weapon specifications, and verifying the buyer's AR Driver License / State ID # is your primary line of legal defense should the firearm ever be traced back to you.
Need a field-by-field breakdown on how to legally execute this transfer? Read our comprehensive, nationwide Step-by-Step Firearm Bill of Sale Guide.
💡 Arkansas Private Sale Framework
Arkansas's Constitutional Carry status dates to 2013 with Act 746, clarified by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2018, and further cemented by Act 777 in 2023. The optional Concealed Handgun Carry License (CHCL) is still available for reciprocity in other states and is issued by the Arkansas State Police. Arkansas honors carry permits from all states. One unique Arkansas fact: automatic weapons must be registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State in addition to federal NFA registration — unlike most states where federal registration alone suffices. The Protect Arkansas Act (Act 659) eliminated parole for certain offenses including prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Arkansas also has strong statewide preemption under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-54-1411 — no county or city can enact stricter firearms rules than state law.
🚫 Legal Vulnerabilities for AR Sellers
- Getting the minimum age wrong — the minimum age to acquire any firearm in a private sale in Arkansas is 18. The 21-year requirement for handguns applies only to FFL dealer sales under federal law. Always verify the buyer's Arkansas Driver's License.
- Not knowing the automatic weapons state registration requirement — under Arkansas law, automatic weapons must be registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State in addition to federal NFA registration. This is rare among states and surprises many NFA owners.
- Assuming the Protect Arkansas Act only affects criminals — Act 659 eliminated parole for prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If you sell to someone you should have known was prohibited, the consequences for that buyer are now significantly more severe.
- Selling to an out-of-state buyer directly — Arkansas borders six states. Selling to a resident of Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, or Oklahoma without FFL involvement is a federal felony.
- Ignoring red flags at gun shows — Arkansas allows private sales at gun shows under the same rules as home sales. But if a buyer refuses to show ID or seems evasive about their eligibility, walk away regardless of location.
- Not knowing the open carry carry license requirement — Arkansas is unique in that openly carrying a handgun in public requires a valid concealed carry license, even though the state has Constitutional Carry for concealed carry. This surprises many residents.
Arkansas Firearm Transfer FAQ
Is a Bill of Sale required by Arkansas law?
No — Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-119 imposes no documentation requirement on private sellers. But Arkansas law also prohibits state agencies from maintaining any registry of firearm ownership — which means without a signed Bill of Sale, you have no proof the gun ever left your hands. If the buyer is later found to be a felon, this document is your only evidence that you did not knowingly violate the law.
What ID should I ask for in Arkansas?
A valid Arkansas Driver's License or state-issued photo ID card. This confirms the buyer is an Arkansas resident — a requirement for a legal private transfer under federal law. The minimum age for any private firearm sale in Arkansas is 18. Always verify both residency and age before completing any transfer, regardless of how well you know the buyer.
Are there magazine capacity limits in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has no state-level restrictions on magazine capacity or assault weapon features. Arkansas also has comprehensive statewide preemption under Ark. Code Ann. § 14-54-1411 — no county or city can enact stricter magazine or weapon restrictions than state law. NFA items are legal in Arkansas with proper federal compliance.
Who is prohibited from owning a gun in Arkansas?
Under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-132 and federal law, prohibited persons include convicted felons, those adjudicated as mentally ill or committed to mental institutions, individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, non-residents of Arkansas, minors, and those dishonorably discharged from military service. The Protect Arkansas Act (Act 659) also eliminated parole for prohibited person in possession of a firearm — making the consequences for illegal transfers more severe than before.
What is the minimum age for private gun sales in Arkansas?
The minimum age to acquire any firearm in a private sale in Arkansas is 18 — for both handguns and long guns. The 21-year requirement for handguns applies only to FFL dealer sales under federal law. This means you can legally sell a handgun to an 18-year-old in a private sale, even though a licensed dealer cannot. Always verify the buyer's Arkansas Driver's License or State ID to confirm they are at least 18.
Can I sell a gun at an Arkansas gun show?
Yes — private sales at gun shows follow the same rules as sales at home under Arkansas law. No background check is required, no waiting period, no state paperwork. Arkansas allows private individuals to sell to other private individuals and to FFLs at gun shows. Federal prohibited person rules still apply regardless of location, and a Bill of Sale is strongly recommended for any gun show transaction.
Does Arkansas require automatic weapons to be registered with the state?
Yes — this is one of Arkansas's most unique firearms rules. Under Arkansas law, automatic weapons must be registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State in addition to the standard federal NFA registration. Most states require only federal NFA registration for automatic weapons, but Arkansas adds a separate state-level registration requirement. If you are selling or transferring an automatic weapon in Arkansas, verify both federal ATF Form 4 compliance and state registration.
Is there a waiting period in Arkansas?
No. Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-119(a)(1) imposes no mandatory waiting period for firearm transfers. The transfer is legally complete once the Bill of Sale is signed and payment exchanged. Arkansas also has no Red Flag law — there is no ERPO mechanism as of 2026 — making it one of the least restrictive states in the country for private sales.
How does this form protect me from liability?
The Bill of Sale records the buyer's signature under a declaration that they are not a prohibited person under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-132 or federal law. This is your primary defense against the 'knowingly' standard — Arkansas and federal law only criminalize sales where you knew or reasonably should have known the buyer was prohibited. A signed declaration prevents the buyer from later claiming you sold them a weapon knowing they were ineligible, and gives you documented evidence of good-faith due diligence.
Can I sell to a resident of a neighboring state like Missouri or Texas?
No. Federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922 prohibits private person-to-person firearm transfers across state lines. Arkansas borders six states — Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma — and selling directly to a resident of any of them without FFL involvement is a federal felony. Always verify the buyer holds a current Arkansas Driver's License or State ID before completing any transfer.