Federal law requires federally licensed firearms dealers (but not private sellers) to initiate a background check on the purchaser prior to the sale of a firearm. Federal law provides states with the option of serving as a state “point of contact” and conducting their own background checks using state, as well as federal, records and databases, or having the checks performed by the FBI using only the  National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. (Note that state files are not always included in the federal database.)

Oklahoma is not a point of contact state for firearm purchaser background checks.¹ In Oklahoma, firearms dealers must initiate the background check required by federal law by contacting the FBI directly.

Federal law does not require dealers to conduct a background check if a firearm purchaser presents a state permit to purchase or possess firearms that meets certain conditions.² As a result, concealed weapon permit holders in Oklahoma are exempt from the federal background check requirement when purchasing a handgun.³ (Note, however, that people who have become prohibited from possessing firearms may continue to hold state permits to purchase or permit firearms if the state fails to remove these permits in a timely fashion.)

Oklahoma does not require private sellers (sellers who are not licensed dealers) to initiate a background check when transferring a firearm. See our Private Sales policy summary.