What states allow non-residents to purchase firearms?

Asked by: Miss Shanel Hills  |  Last update: September 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (39 votes)

Federal law prohibits you from buying a handgun outside your state of residence. However, it is legal according to federal law to buy a long gun from a dealer outside your state as long the gun is legal in both that state and your home state. Most states don't add any further restrictions to these federal standards.

In what state can I buy a gun without being a resident?

None. Federal law does not allow handguns to be purchased across State lines. A handgun must be shipped to an FFL in your state of residence and transferred there. The only exception is for inheritance.

Can I buy a gun in Missouri if I live in another state?

Stat. § 571.085. Residents of any state may purchase firearms in Missouri, provided that the sale complies with federal law and the law applicable to such purchase in Missouri and in the state in which such persons reside.

Can I buy a gun in North Carolina as a non-resident?

In North Carolina, anyone over the age of 18 can purchase and own a rifle or a shotgun and can purchase and own a handgun if they are over 21. Additionally, you may carry a gun but cannot purchase a gun in NC if you are not a legal resident of the state.

Can I buy a gun in Georgia if I live in another state?

Residents of any state of the United States may purchase rifles and shotguns in the State of Georgia, provided such residents conform to applicable provisions of statutes and regulations of the United States, of the State of Georgia, and of the state in which such persons reside. Section 16-7-80.

Can I Buy a Gun In Another State? In-Person Interstate Firearm Transfers and Purchases.

43 related questions found

Can I buy a gun in Florida if I live in a different state?

Must be a Florida resident to purchase a handgun. Long guns may be purchased by persons who are residents of other states so long as the sale complies with applicable laws in the purchaser's state of residence.

Can I buy a gun in Tennessee as a non-resident?

Effective July 1, 2005, all handgun permit applicants seeking a new permit must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency.

Can a nonresident buy a gun in South Carolina?

S.C. Code § 23-31-10. A resident of another state may purchase rifles and shotguns in South Carolina if the resident conforms to the laws of South Carolina and the state of residence, and federal law.

Can you buy a long gun in NC with an out of state ID?

To purchase a long gun, you only need to show a current, valid NC state-issued form of identification and must pass a US government background check during the sale.

Does North Carolina require a permit to purchase a handgun?

Any person seeking to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina is no longer required to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit. All pistol purchase permitting laws in North Carolina have been eliminated by the enactment of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections.

What is the gun show loophole?

The term "gun show loophole" primarily refers to "a situation in which many sellers dealing in firearms offer them for sale at gun shows without becoming licensed or subjecting purchasers to background checks".

Can I buy a gun in Alabama if I'm from another state?

Yes, you can buy a firearm in Alabama. However, if you live in another state, you cannot take possession of said firearm in Alabama. The FFL will ship the firearm to an FFL of you choice in your home state.

Can I buy a gun in Iowa if I live out of state?

Persons do not have to be a resident of the state from which the permit was issued. A Permit To Acquire (PTA), obtained from the sheriff of the county of the applicant's residence, is available to skip the background check before purchasing firearms.

Can you buy a gun in Virginia as a non-resident?

Primary Identification for a non-VA Resident, for the purchase of a rifle or shotgun, must consist of a valid driver's license or photo-ID issued by a governmental agency of the prospective purchasers home state that denote the purchasers name, race, sex, date of birth and current address.

Can a non-resident buy a gun in Kentucky?

(2) Residents of states other than the Commonwealth of Kentucky who are citizens of the United States shall have the right to purchase or otherwise acquire rifles, shotguns, handguns, and any other firearms which they are permitted to purchase or otherwise acquire under federal law and the Kentucky Revised Statutes ...

What state has the loosest gun laws?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the weakest gun laws in the country and the highest gun death rate. Lawmakers must stop failing their communities and take action to save lives.

Can I open carry a loaded gun in my car in NC?

North Carolina allows open carry of firearms in vehicles, but the gun must be visible and not readily accessible to the occupants. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety defines concealment in a vehicle to mean that the gun cannot be readily seen by a person approaching the vehicle and it is readily accessible.

Can I take my legal gun to another state?

Yes. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing their state of residence. If using a moving company, you must notify the mover that firearms are being transported.

Do you need ID to buy a gun in all states?

In every US state, when you purchase a gun from an FFL (like a gun store or other licensed firearms dealer) you will need to provide a valid photo ID such as your driver's license, government-issued identification card, passport, or military ID, and typically another form of ID or evidence confirming your current ...

Can you buy guns in states you don't live in?

In general, you can buy a handgun out of state, based on federal law. But, to be legal, you can't take possession of it there. Instead, the seller must deliver it to a federally licensed gun dealer (FFL) in your home state.

Can you sell a gun in a state you don't live in?

Under federal law, individuals can lawfully obtain a long gun from a seller or transferor in another state, provided that: Both parties meet in person to conduct the sale or transfer. The sale or transfer is conducted by, or through, a licensed dealer, pursuant to a background check and other requirements.

Can a non-resident buy a gun in Georgia?

Can Non-Residents Purchase Firearms in Georgia? Anyone looking to purchase a rifle or shotgun in Georgia who is not considered a permanent resident is still able to do so under federal guidelines. However, there may be additional laws that need to be followed depending on what state the individual is a resident of.

Can I buy a gun in Wyoming without being a resident?

No. Wyoming does not issue permits to non-residents. Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Wyoming? There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm unless the officer asks.

Can I buy a gun in Maine if I live out of state?

Q: Can I buy a gun if I am from out of state? A: If we have a firearm in stock that is compliant for your state you may buy it from us. If the firearm is a compliant long gun, and your state does not have a waiting period to buy long guns, you may purchase it here in Maine with a 5.5% sales tax.