Is a transfer of ownership needed?

[Steve M.]

Have a weird situation and not sure what to do.

About 20 years ago me and a friend went to buy two rifles, a 10/22 Ruger and a 30-30 Marlin lever action. We split the cost as we were pretty much always planning on shooting together. To this day neither of us can remember if we did the background check under his name, my name or 1 each. I kinda feel like they were both under my name, but may be wrong.

But a few years later as we moved on to different states I payed him back for his half of the cost and we agreed both rifles were mine.

We were talking the other day and he was asking if we should officially transfer the ownership into my name. I have no idea what the laws on this are, if it's needed at all or not and how we would go about it if so as we live 1000 miles apart now.

Any advice?

[Danger Rane]

To my knowledge, this is not even a thing in TN. If he’s worried about it you guys could come up with a bill of sale as proof that he passed ownership to you. 

[Steve M.]

1 minute ago, Danger Rane said:

To my knowledge, this is not even a thing in TN. If he’s worried about it you guys could come up with a bill of sale as proof that he passed ownership to you. 

Yeah that was my other question, it's a state to state thing from what I remember. Didn't think it mattered here, but yeah if he's concerned still I'll mention the bill of sale idea.

[FUJIMO]

I am pretty sure it doesn't matter here in TN but as Danger Rane said a BOS tucked in the safe sounds like it could go a long way to giving your friend peace of mind.

 

 

[Defender]

If you’re worried, do a simple bill of sale and backdate it to when you both lived here, since that’s when the decision to transfer to you took place. As others have said, not necessary for anything but peace of mind.

Edited September 4, 2022 by Defender

[m16ty]

There is no gun registration in TN. You do fill out a background check when you buy a gun from a FFL, but that is just for the background check. You are free to sell or give that gun to anybody, unless you know they are a felon or underage.

Now having said all that, they can trace a gun down if it’s used in a crime. That is the only issue you’ll run into with having your name on a background check that is tied to a gun.