The definition of a gun dealer was expanded to include anyone who sells guns "to predominantly earn a profit".
This change requires many former "private" sellers—especially those who sell repetitively at gun shows or online for profit—to obtain an FFL and conduct background checks. buy gun no background check
These sales often occur at gun shows, through online classifieds (for in-person meetups), or via private inheritance. Recent Regulatory Changes The definition of a gun dealer was expanded
Background checks are only mandatory for transactions involving a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) . In the United States, purchasing a firearm without
The "loophole" was significantly narrowed by the and a subsequent 2024 Department of Justice rule.
Individuals "not engaged in the business" of selling firearms—such as someone selling an occasional gun from a personal collection—can legally sell to another resident of their state without a background check under federal law.
In the United States, purchasing a firearm without a background check is primarily possible through the "private sale exception," often colloquially known as the "gun show loophole". While federal law requires background checks for sales by , it does not mandate them for transfers between private individuals, provided the sale occurs within the same state and is not conducted for regular profit. The Private Sale Landscape