Federal Firearms Transfer Requirements

Federal law imposes specific requirements on how firearms may be transferred between individuals. Understanding these rules is essential for any GatSwap trade to remain lawful.

The core federal statute

Title 18 of the U.S. Code, specifically § 922, governs most federal firearms transfer requirements. The key provisions relevant to private-party trades are:

• Section 922(a)(3): It is unlawful for a non-licensed person to transport a firearm from one state to another for the purpose of a transfer.
• Section 922(b)(3): It is unlawful for an FFL to transfer a firearm to a resident of a different state unless done through a licensed dealer in the recipient's home state.
• Section 922(t): All FFLs must conduct a NICS check before transferring a firearm to a non-licensed individual.

What this means for GatSwap trades

Every GatSwap trade between users in different states must be routed through an FFL on each end. The seller ships to an FFL in the buyer's state (or directly to the buyer's chosen FFL), and the buyer completes the 4473 and NICS process before taking possession.

Trades between users in the same state may be eligible for intrastate private party transfer in some states, but GatSwap still requires FFL involvement for all trades on the platform to maintain a consistent compliance standard.

Age requirements

Federal law sets minimum ages for firearm transfers from FFLs: 21 years old for handguns, and 18 years old for long guns (rifles and shotguns). Some states set higher minimums — GatSwap's compliance engine checks both federal and state age requirements before allowing a trade to proceed.

Prohibited persons

Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), certain individuals are prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms. These include: people convicted of felonies, domestic violence misdemeanants, those subject to qualifying restraining orders, unlawful drug users, those adjudicated as mental defectives, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged veterans, renounced U.S. citizens, and fugitives from justice.

The NICS check at the FFL is designed to screen for these prohibitions. GatSwap's identity verification does not replace this check — it only confirms you are who you say you are.

Record-keeping requirements

FFLs are required by federal law to maintain completed Form 4473s for a minimum of 20 years. GatSwap maintains trade records for the duration required by applicable law. Your account history is available in the app and can be exported for personal records.