Owning a gun is a great way to protect yourself and your family. But if you were gifted a gun, you might be unsure of what you need to do to legally register it. To make sure you are following the law, you will need to register the gun with the appropriate governmental agency. This step-by-step guide will take you through the process of registering a gun that was gifted to you, so you can make sure you are following the law. With this guide, you will be able to understand the process, determine the requirements in your area, and know how to fill out the registration forms. So, let’s get started and learn how to register a gun that was gifted to you.
How To Register A Gun That Was Gifted To You – Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: The first step to register a gun that was gifted to you is to locate the paperwork that was provided with the gun.
Step 2: The second step is to fill out the form provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Step 3: The third step is to forward the form and any required documents to your local ATF office.
Step 4: If you are registering a gun at an ATF office, you will need to complete a Form 4473. This form must be completed and signed by both yourself and anyone who received a firearm from you. You will also need to have your local ATF office stamp/sign it.
Step 5: Once all of this paperwork has been completed, then return it with any required documentation (see above) to your local ATF office for processing. You can expect this process to take about 10 days.
Step 6: If you are registering a gun at an ATF office, then you will need to provide proof of citizenship and identity. This can be done in person or by mail. Proof of citizenship can include a valid birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, green card, or a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Step 7: Once you have completed these steps, your local ATF office will send the paperwork to the NFA Branch in West Virginia. This can take 6-8 weeks to complete. Then they will send it back to your local ATF office for processing.
Step 8: You must wait for the processing to be completed before you can take possession of your firearm. The wait time varies from state to state and from office to office. In some states, it might only take 48 hours while in others it could take up to 120 days for the paperwork to be processed and returned.
Step 9: Once the paperwork has been processed and approved, you will be able to take possession of your firearm. You must wait for the ATF to approve the transfer before you can take possession.
Why Is It Important To Register A Gun That Was Gifted To You?
- You need to register the gun if you want to use it in the state of your residence.
- You need to register the gun if you plan on selling it in the state of your residence, or if you plan on transporting it across state lines.
- You need to register the gun if you plan on giving it away to another person, as a gift or for a family member, etc.
- You may want to get a permit from your town/city/county and file fingerprints and photographs with your local police department so that they can keep a record of where the weapon is and who has access to it at all times (this is not necessary for some states).
- If you are under 18 years old, you may have had someone over 18 give you this gun as a gift (or inherit it from an older relative). In that case, you must register this weapon before you turn 18 years old.
- If you are over 18 and have a concealed weapon permit, you may have had another person over the age of 21 give or inherit this gun to you as a gift, and then register it with your local police department (in some states).
- You may now be eligible to purchase this gun under Federal Firearm laws; however, if you are buying this gun from someone else, they will need to fill out the ATF form 4473 and send it to the ATF for approval (this is not necessary for some states).
How To Fill Out The Registration Forms
1 Fill out the application form completely
A completely completed and legible application form is essential to the registration process. You must be able to read, understand, and fill out the entire form yourself. If you cannot do this, then you will have to have a legal adult assist you in completing it. You may need a notary if you cannot read or write; however, if you cannot read or write a signature on the form, then you should not have someone else sign for you. If in doubt about what information to provide on your registration form, get help from your local government agency office or law enforcement officer before completing it.
2 Fill out the description of the firearm correctly
The description of your firearm should be as clear as possible and contain all of the required information so that it can be entered into their database accurately and completely. If in doubt about what information to provide on your firearms description, get help from your local government agency office or law enforcement officer before completing it.
3 Fill out the serial number of your firearm correctly
The serial number on your firearm must be clearly legible and present on the gun in its original condition, including any modifications or alterations that have been made to it. If in doubt about what information to provide on the serial number, get help from your local government agency office or law enforcement officer before completing it.
4 Fill out the make, model, and caliber of your firearm correctly
The make, model, and caliber of your firearm must be as clear as possible and contain all of the required information so that it can be entered into their database accurately. If in doubt about what information to provide on these items, get help from your local government agency office or law enforcement officer before completing them.
5 Fill out the total number of firearms the applicant owns correctly
The total number of firearms you own must be as clear as possible and contain all of the required information so that it can be entered into their database accurately. If in doubt about what information to provide on this item, get help from your local government agency office or law enforcement officer before completing it.
How To Submit The Registration Forms
- Make sure you have all the forms you need. You should have your registration certificate, a background check certificate, and two passport-sized photos with you when you go to the agency. If you don’t have all of these forms with you, the agency may ask for them in person or by mail.
- Have your documents ready before going to the agency. You should take these documents with you when you go to the agency Registration certificate. This is a document that proves that the gun was registered in your name. It must be signed by an officer of the agency (usually a police officer) and show that all of the information on it is true and correct (for example, it will list your name and address). Background check certificate. This document confirms that no one was convicted of a felony or domestic violence crime within three years of applying for registration. Passport-sized photos. The background check officer will take your photo at their office so they can sign off on your application. You will need two passport-sized photos for this.
- Bring the registration certificate and the background check certificate with you when you go to the agency to register the gun. The background check officer will sign these documents and give them to you, and then you can fill out your registration forms there.
- Take your registration certificate, background check certificate, and two passport-sized photos with you when you go to the agency so that they can fill out all of your forms there. The agency may ask for a birth certificate or other proof of identity at their office.
- After filling out all of the forms, write down your name on each one, sign each one in front of an officer (or another witness), and bring them back with you when you leave. Write down what day and time it was filled out so that it will be easy for the agency to track how many applications they have processed that day or week.
Conclusion
Owning a gun is a great way to protect yourself and your family. But if you were gifted a gun, you might be unsure of what you need to do to legally register it. This step-by-step guide will take you through the process of registering a gun that was gifted to you, so you can make sure you are following the law. With this guide, you will be able to understand the process, determine the requirements in your area, and know how to fill out the registration forms. So, let’s get started and learn how to register a gun that was gifted to us.
