Giving a handgun as a gift

[Johnny B]

Hi all. So, I won't bore you with the minutiae, but the story goes like this: my girlfriend has come shooting with my pals and I the last couple of times we headed out to the range. Predictably, she got the bug and now wants a .22 plinker of her own. Now, I want to buy her one and she even has one all picked out. Can I just buy her the gun and give it to her or do I have to jump through hoops? If it helps we live in Utah, so our gun laws are comparatively lax. Thanks for the help.

 

[5Wire]

Can I just buy her the gun and give it to her or do I have to jump through hoops? If it helps we live in Utah, so our gun laws are comparatively lax.

Please don't use "lax" to describe any gun law. Try "reasonable" or "2nd Amendment friendly."

You pay the $, have your GF fill out the form, would be my suggestion.

 

[MustangHowie]

If it is not a suprise gift I agree with having her fill out the form. If it is a suprise I would use a generic bill of sale with make, model and serial #. Have her sign it just to show that you don't own it anymore. Chances are you will never need it but better safe than sorry. Every gun I sell I get the buyers info. No info = no sale. CYA

 

[bakert]

I don't know about the laws of other states but I bought Ruger pistol from a police officer here in Ky some years ago. He just typed out a simple bill of sale with the date, name and type of pistol and serial number of the gun then he, myself and a witness signed it. One copy for me and one for him.

 

[RP86]

In Florida if it is a gift just buy it like you normally would, then when you give it to her type up a bill of sale and sign it. If you go to a gun shop and try to pay for it, but have her do all the paperwork the gun shop might be hesitant because of straw purchase laws. I'm not sure about other state's laws.