2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Virginia (VA) for 2026

  • Safe • Legal • Hassle-Free
  • Free Shipping & Insurance
  • Over 20,000 Happy Sellers!
Get My Cash Offer

Tell us what you want to sell.

Drop files here or
Max. file size: 1 GB, Max. files: 16.
    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 7 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in VA for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Virginia for Cash in 2026

    Firearm regulations can be complicated to navigate, and Virginia’s laws governing transfers and possession are no exception. Virginia previously had a law requiring universal background checks for all private sales, but a recent court ruling has halted the enforcement of that specific requirement (Virginia Code 18.2-308.2:5). This means that, for the moment, private, person-to-person sales do not legally require a background check facilitated by an FFL, although FFL purchases still mandate a check through the Virginia Firearms Transaction Program (VFTP).

    Regardless of the unenforceability of the private sale background check mandate, buyers and sellers must still be informed of the legal requirements and liabilities. Under both state and federal law, a private seller can face serious criminal charges, including felonies, if they knowingly sell or transfer a firearm to an individual who is legally prohibited from possession (e.g., a convicted felon, someone subject to a protective order, or a person adjudicated mentally defective).

    To ensure transactions are compliant and avoid inadvertently breaking the law, Cash My Guns has provided this helpful guide, compiled from the official Virginia State Police website, the Virginia Legislative Information System, and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General.

    Best options for selling a gun in Virginia in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Virginia, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Virginia Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Virginia firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Virginia firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      In Virginia, gun owners are permitted to sell firearms through private transactions, but state law requires that all such exchanges—whether for money, goods, services, or any other value—be preceded by a verified criminal history record information check. The seller must confirm through the Department of State Police that the prospective purchaser is not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. To facilitate this, licensed firearms dealers are authorized to perform these background checks on behalf of private sellers and may charge an additional fee of up to $15 for the service.

      Alternatively, the State Police provide background check services for private transactions involving both handguns and long guns at firearms shows held within the state. For these private transactions to be processed by the State Police, both the buyer and the seller must be residents of Virginia. Furthermore, the prospective purchaser must provide formal written consent for the records check by completing a Virginia Firearms Transaction Consent Form at the time of the transfer.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Virginia

    In Virginia, the minimum age to purchase a rifle or shotgun from a licensed dealer is 18 years old. Buyers looking to purchase a handgun from a licensed dealer (FFL) must be at least 21 years old, pursuant to federal law.

    Virginia state law restricts firearm possession and purchase among specific groups of individuals, particularly those with certain criminal or mental health histories (Virginia Code 18.2-308.1 et seq. and 18.2-308.2).

    2026 Prohibitions Due to Mental Health or Capacity in Virginia

    It is unlawful for individuals to purchase, possess, or transport firearms if they have been:

    • Adjudicated Incapacitated: Declared legally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a court. Individuals whose competency or capacity has been restored may petition the court to regain their firearm rights.
    • Involuntarily Committed: Involuntarily admitted to a facility or ordered to mandatory outpatient treatment due to various circumstances (even if the person later agreed to voluntary admission after a temporary detention order).

    2026 Prohibitions Due to Criminal History and Orders in Virginia

    It is also unlawful for individuals to possess or purchase firearms if they are:

    • Subject to Protective Orders: Individuals subject to specific emergency, preliminary, or final protective orders issued due to family abuse or an act of violence.
    • Drug Misdemeanor Convictions (Handguns Only): Individuals who have been convicted of two misdemeanor offenses related to certain drug offenses (possession of controlled substance or marijuana) within a 36-month period are ineligible to purchase or transport handguns. This ineligibility is removed after five years from the date of the second conviction, provided no further drug-related convictions occur during that period.
    • Convicted Felons: Individuals convicted of any felony, or a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for certain serious felonies (like murder, kidnapping, or rape) after the age of 14.

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

    Even though a recent court ruling has halted the mandatory universal background check for private sales (Virginia Code 18.2-308.2:5), the legal burden on private sellers in Virginia remains significant.

    Under state and federal law, a seller can face serious criminal charges, including felonies (Class 6 Felony and higher), if they knowingly or intentionally sell or transfer a firearm to a prohibited person, such as a convicted felon, someone under a protective order, or a person adjudicated mentally incapacitated. Navigating this liability while verifying a buyer’s legal status can be a source of great stress and overwhelm.

    Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all Virginia and federal regulations.

    We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), who is government-licensed to manage the legal transfer process and fully assumes the compliance liability by running the mandatory background check on the receiving end.

    The reality is you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

    When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 Virginia General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Virginia firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Virginia Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Is it legal to sell a firearm privately in Virginia in 2026?

      Yes, private firearm sales are legal in Virginia in 2026, but they must be completed through a licensed FFL dealer. Virginia law requires background checks for nearly all firearm transfers, including private, person-to-person sales.

    • Do I need a permit to sell a handgun in Virginia?

      No permit is required for a private seller. However, all handgun transfers must go through a licensed dealer where the buyer completes the mandatory state background check before the transfer is approved.

    • Are background checks required for private gun sales in Virginia?

      Yes. Since 2020, Virginia requires that private firearm transfers be processed through an FFL. The dealer will run the required state and federal background checks before the firearm can be released to the buyer.

    • Does Virginia require firearms to be registered before selling them?

      No. Virginia does not have a statewide firearm registration system. While registration is not required, the FFL handling the transfer will maintain federal records of the transaction as required by law.

    • Can I sell my gun online if I live in Virginia?

      Yes, Virginia residents may sell firearms online. All shipped firearms must be transferred to the buyer through an FFL dealer, where the buyer will complete background checks before receiving the firearm.

    • How does CashMyGuns help sellers in Virginia?

      CashMyGuns offers firearm valuations, secure shipping, and fast payment. All firearms sold through their service in Virginia are transferred through licensed FFL dealers to ensure full compliance with Virginia’s background check requirements.

    • How can I verify a buyer’s eligibility in a Virginia private sale?

      In Virginia, eligibility is verified by the FFL conducting the transfer. The dealer will run the required state background check through the Virginia Firearms Transaction Program (VFTP) before approving the transfer.

    • What should a Virginia firearm bill of sale include?

      A bill of sale typically lists the firearm’s make, model, serial number, and caliber, along with the names and contact information of both parties and the date of the transaction. Even with FFL involvement, keeping a personal record is recommended.

    • Are NFA items regulated differently in Virginia?

      Yes. Machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles or shotguns are regulated under the National Firearms Act. These transfers require federal approval, tax stamps, and background checks. Virginia also requires certain machine guns to be registered with the state.

    • What’s a safe way to get a fair price for my firearm in Virginia?

      Selling through a trusted buyer like CashMyGuns provides transparent pricing based on market conditions and ensures the transfer is handled legally through a licensed FFL in compliance with Virginia law in 2026.

    Sell Your Gun by State – 2026 Guides

    Locked, Loaded, and Listed: Insider Tips