Law Enforcement Firearms: Can Citizens Purchase Them?

In the US, law enforcement officers purchasing firearms for official use are not required to complete an ATF Form 4473 or undergo a background check. However, they must provide a certification on agency letterhead that they will use the firearm in official duties and that a records check reveals no convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. This letter must be signed by a person in authority within the agency, such as the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Law enforcement officers can purchase firearms from a licensee in any state

The following individuals are considered to have sufficient authority to certify that law enforcement officers purchasing firearms will use them in the performance of official duties:

In a city or county police department, the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Officers purchasing firearms in this way are not required to complete ATF Form 4473 or Form 5300.35, or undergo a background check. The disposition of a firearm to an officer must be entered into the licensee’s acquisition and disposition record, and the certification letter used to purchase the firearm must be retained in the licensee’s files.

Officers must provide certification on agency letterhead that the firearm will be used for official duties

In the US, law enforcement officers purchasing firearms for official use must provide a licensee with a certification on agency letterhead that the firearm will be used for official duties. This letter must be signed by a person in authority within the agency, other than the officer purchasing the firearm. The certification must also state that a records check has been carried out and that the officer has no convictions for misdemeanour crimes of domestic violence.

The following individuals are considered to have sufficient authority to certify that law enforcement officers purchasing firearms will use them for official duties: in a city or county police department, the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Officers who provide this certification are not required to complete an ATF Form 4473 or undergo a background check. They may purchase a firearm from a licensee in any state, regardless of where the officer resides or the agency is located. The disposition of the firearm to an officer must be entered into the licensee's acquisition and disposition record, and the certification letter used to purchase the firearm must be retained in the licensee's files.

Officers must have no convictions for misdemeanour crimes of domestic violence

Law enforcement officers purchasing firearms for official use must provide the licensee with a certification on agency letterhead, signed by a person in authority within the agency (other than the officer purchasing the firearm), stating that the officer will use the firearm in official duties and that a records check reveals that the purchasing officer has no convictions for misdemeanour crimes of domestic violence.

The following individuals are considered to have sufficient authority to certify that law enforcement officers purchasing firearms will use the firearms in the performance of official duties: in a city or county police department, the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Officers who have been convicted of misdemeanour crimes of domestic violence are not permitted to purchase firearms for official use. This is a strict requirement and officers must adhere to it to be able to carry out their duties.

Officers are not required to complete ATF Form 4473 or Form 5300.35

Law enforcement officers purchasing firearms for official use are not required to complete ATF Form 4473 or Form 5300.35. This is on the condition that they provide the licensee with a certification on agency letterhead, signed by a person in authority within the agency (other than the officer purchasing the firearm), stating that the officer will use the firearm in official duties and that a records check reveals that the purchasing officer has no convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.

The following individuals are considered to have sufficient authority to certify that law enforcement officers purchasing firearms will use the firearms in the performance of official duties: in a city or county police department, the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Officers purchasing firearms for official duties may purchase the firearm from a licensee in any state, regardless of where the officer resides or the agency is located. Disposition of a firearm to an officer must be entered into the licensee’s acquisition and disposition record, and the certification letter used to purchase the firearm must be retained in the licensee’s files.

Disposition of a firearm to an officer must be entered into the licensee's acquisition and disposition record

In the US, law enforcement officers purchasing firearms for official use are not required to complete an ATF Form 4473 or undergo a background check. However, they must provide the licensee with a certification on agency letterhead, signed by a person in authority within the agency (other than the officer purchasing the firearm), stating that the firearm will be used in official duties and that a records check reveals that the officer has no convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. The officer may purchase the firearm from a licensee in any state, regardless of where they reside or where the agency is located.

The following individuals are considered to have sufficient authority to certify that law enforcement officers purchasing firearms will use them in the performance of official duties:

In a city or county police department, the director of public safety or the chief or commissioner of police.

Frequently asked questions