Gun Show Guidelines

This notice applies to activities permitted at 

bona fide gun shows, as defined in Title 27 

of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 

478.100. Federal firearms licensees (“FFLs” 

or “Dealers”) may only sell firearms at gun 

shows within the State in which their licensed 

premises is located.

Dealers Licensed In This State

Must display license.

Must comply with all recordkeeping requirements 

of ATF regulations concerning acquisitions and 

dispositions of firearms, including the recording 

of the place of sale.

May dispose of handguns to residents of the State 

only, provided that the purchaser is at least 21 

years of age and all provisions of the Brady Law 

are met.

May dispose of long guns to residents of any 

State, provided that the purchaser is at least 18 

years of age, the laws of both States are complied 

with, and all provisions of the Brady Law are met.

May dispose of firearms to any FFL.

May acquire firearms from any FFL licensed in 

the State and from any non-licensed individual.

May take orders of any firearm from a nonlicensee and ship the same to a licensee in the 

purchaser’s State of residence from whom the 

purchaser can then take possession after the provisions of the Brady Law are met.

Dealers Not Licensed In This State

Must display license.

Must comply with all ATF recordkeeping requirements concerning the acquisition of firearms.

May acquire firearms from any FFL licensed in 

this State and from any non-licensed individual.

May make a sale and deliver curio or relic firearms to any other FFL licensed in any State as 

long as there is compliance with the laws of both 

States. 

May ship curio or relic firearms from this show to 

any other FFL.

May display and take orders.

Non-Licensed Residents 

of This State

May acquire long guns or handguns from FFLs 

licensed in this State, provided all provisions of 

the Brady Law are met.

May dispose of personal firearms to any FFL.

May acquire from and dispose of personal 

firearms to non-licensed residents of the State. 

However, non-licensed individuals may not be 

engaged in the business of dealing in firearms 

without a Federal firearms license.

Cannot acquire from or dispose of firearms to 

non-licensed residents of any other State.

Cannot ship in interstate commerce, except to 

themselves or an FFL, a firearm that has otherwise 

been lawfully acquired; must, when shipping to 

themselves, declare the firearm to the commercial 

or contract carrier.

Non-Licensed Residents From 

Another State

May dispose of firearms to any FFL.

May acquire long guns only from FFLs licensed 

in the State, provided the laws of both States are 

complied with and all provisions of the Brady Law 

are met.

May order firearms from any FFL and have them 

shipped from the show to an FFL in their State of 

residence by a commercial or contract carrier in 

accordance with State and Federal law.

Cannot acquire handguns.

Cannot acquire from or dispose of firearms to 

non-licensed individuals.
U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Important Notice to Dealers 

and Other Participants at 

This Gun Show

ATF Information 5300.23A

September 2010

How To Contact Us

If you have any questions relating to your Gun 

Show responsibilities, please contact:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms and Explosives

Firearms Industry Programs Branch

99 New York Avenue, NE.

Washington, DC 20226

Telephone: (202) 648-7190

Fax: (202) 648-9640

Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 

Monday through Friday (Eastern Time)

To report suspected illegal firearms activities, 

please call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Firearms Industry Programs Branch

99 New York Avenue, NE.

Washington, DC 20226

www.atf.gov