Bill Would End Out of State Gun Purchases Democrats on Capitol Hill last week introduced a measure that would end direct legal gun sales to out of state residents. H.R. 647 would prohibit a Federal Firearms Licensee from transferring a shotgun or a rifle to a person who they feel does not reside in the same state. Handguns already are subject to a "state resident only" sales restriction, which is a holdover from the days prior to federal instant background checks. The proposal to move long arm sales under the same 1960s guideline comes from a Colorado Congressman who argues it is needed.