If you’re selling a firearm to another individual in Virginia — or buying one from a private seller — Virginia law once again requires a background check facilitated through a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) before the sale can be completed. K3 Armory in Midlothian, VA provides this service locally, and this guide walks you through exactly what the law requires and how the process works.
The Short Version
As of July 1, 2026, if you sell a firearm to another private individual in Virginia, the sale must be processed through a licensed dealer so the buyer can complete a Virginia State Police (VSP) background check. This Universal Background Check (UBC) requirement originally took effect in 2020, was struck down by a Virginia court in October 2025, and was reinstated by a new law (HB 1525) with background checks resuming July 1, 2026.
There are also two important new restrictions that private sellers need to know:
- Buyers under 21 can no longer purchase handguns — period. HB 1525 raised the minimum age to purchase a handgun or assault firearm in Virginia from 18 to 21. If your prospective buyer is 18–20 years old, you cannot legally sell them a handgun, even through a dealer.
- Certain “assault firearms” MAY be illegal to sell or transfer at all (contact for the latest updates). Virginia’s new assault firearms law also took effect July 1, 2026, restricting the sale and transfer of covered firearms. Before listing an AR-style rifle or pistol for private sale, check whether it’s covered — see our assault firearms transfer policy page for details on what we can and cannot transfer.
How a Legal Private Sale Works in Virginia
STEP 1:
Agree on your sale
You and your buyer work out the firearm, price, and terms between yourselves, just like before. The dealer isn’t part of your negotiation — we’re just the required checkpoint that makes the transfer legal.
STEP 2:
Both parties come to the dealer together
Schedule an appointment and bring the firearm (unloaded and cased). Both parties will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID with their current Virginia address (issued at least 30 days before your appointment).
STEP 3:
The buyer completes the background check paperwork
At our shop, the buyer completes the required transfer paperwork and we submit the Virginia State Police (VSP) background check. Most checks come back within minutes; some are delayed for further review.
STEP 4:
Approved? Complete the sale
Once the background check comes back approved, you complete your sale and the buyer takes possession of the firearm. Payment for the firearm itself happens between you and your buyer — we only collect our transfer service fee.
STEP 5:
(if delayed or denied)
If the check is delayed, the firearm stays with the seller (or with us, by arrangement) until it resolves. If the buyer is denied, the sale cannot legally be completed.
What It Costs
K3 Armory’s private party transfer service fee is $40 for the first firearm and $10 for each additional firearm in the same transaction. Both parties are in and out in one short appointment in most cases. Book an appointment here — select the Private Party Transfer option.
Common Questions
Does this apply to gifts between family members?
The law applies to sales. Certain transfers — such as gifts between immediate family members — have historically been treated differently under Virginia’s statute. Because HB 1525 amended and reenacted the law, we recommend confirming the current exemptions before relying on one; ask us and we’ll point you to the current statutory language.
What if my buyer lives out of state?
Interstate transfers must go through an FFL in the buyer’s home state. We handle that too — see our Outbound FFL Shipping Service, where we pack, document, and ship your firearm to your buyer’s local dealer.
Can I sell a handgun to an 18 – 20-year-old individual?
Not as a sale — as of July 1, 2026, the minimum age to purchase a handgun in Virginia is 21.
What happens if we skip the background check?
Completing a private sale without the required Universal Background Check is a criminal offense for both parties. It’s a quick, inexpensive appointment — don’t risk it.
Is this law being challenged in court?
Yes — the Virginia Universal Background Check (UBC) law has been the subject of ongoing litigation since 2020, and the organizations that successfully challenged the original version have indicated the fight isn’t over. We keep this page updated, but the requirement is in effect as of this writing (July 2026).
Ready to Complete Your Sale?
Visit our Private Party Sale FFL Transfer service page for more details. Then schedule your private party transfer appointment — both parties, the firearm, and photo ID are all you need. Questions first? Contact us.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Firearms laws change — as this page proves better than most — so consult the current statutes or a qualified attorney for your specific situation.
