Firearm Purchase Certificates

**Firearm Purchase Permit Procedures** 

You can come to the front desk of the Police Department M-F 8am-5pm, download and print the Firearm Purchase Certificate Application, or call our office at 308-385-5400 and ask for an application to be mailed to you.

** You Must Live Inside The City Limits Of Grand Island To Apply With The Grand Island Police Department**

Pursuant to Nebraska Statute 69-2403 a firearm purchase certificate is required to purchase, lease, rent, or receive a handgun. The law applies to both retail and private party transactions. The law also prohibits selling, leasing, renting, or transferring a handgun to a person who does not possess a handgun certificate. A certificate is not required if:

  • The person acquiring the handgun is a licensed firearms dealer;

  • The handgun is an antique;

  • The person acquiring the handgun is authorized to do so on behalf of a law enforcement agency;

  • The transfer is temporary and the transferee remains within (a) in the line of sight of the transferor or (b) within the premises of an established shooting facility; or

  • The transfer is between a person and his or her spouse, sibling, parent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or grandparent.

Where And How To Apply

You can come to the front desk of the Police Department M-F 8am-5pm, download and print the Firearm Purchase Certificate Application, or call our office at 308-385-5400 and ask for an application to be mailed to you.

Applicants may mail, or drop off at the Grand Island Police Department, drop box inside first set of doors at the Law Enforcement Center, 111 Public Safety Dr., Grand Island, NE 68801

Mail In Or Drop Off Instructions

  • Carefully read and complete the application. If there is a question that does not apply to you please place an N/A in the box.

  • You must have the top section of page two (2) notarized.

  • The completed application must include a photocopy of your Nebraska Driver’s License/State ID with your current address, if applicable a photocopy of your permanent resident card, along with the application fee of $5.00.

    • The $5.00 fee should be payable to:Grand Island Police Department

    • Include your phone number at the top of the application so we can contact you if we have any questions and to notify you when the application is approved

    • Applicants born outside the U.S. must also provide a copy of their citizenship papers, U.S. Passport, or alien resident card.

    • Please remember to list your ICE-Issued alien or admission number. (A#)

       

  • The completed application with the required documents and fee can be mailed or dropped in the mail slot to:

Grand Island Police Department

111 Public Safety Dr

Grand Island, NE  68801

 Documents Required At Time Of Application

  • Current Nebraska operator's license, Nebraska state ID card, or a Military ID card. The ID must have your correct legal name. The address on your Nebraska ID must be a current residential address and match the address on the application. The Police Department will not accept applications or issue purchase permits to applicants with only a post office box.    

  • Application fee of $5.00.

  • Applicants born on a United States military base outside the U.S. must provide their birth certificate.

  • Applicants born outside the U.S. must also provide a copy of their citizenship papers, U.S. Passport, or alien resident card.

Age And Residency Requirements

To obtain a handgun certificate from our office you must be at least 21 years old and currently reside inside city limits.

Disqualifiers

Applications will be denied if the applicant:

  • Fails to answer all questions on the application;

  • Has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year;

  • Is a fugitive from justice;

  • Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;

  • Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution;

  • Is an alien unlawfully in the United States or an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa;

  • Has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;

  • Having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship;

  • Is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner;

  • Has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; or

  • Is under indictment or information (i.e. charges have been filed in court) for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.

Re-application Upon Expiration

Certificates are valid, statewide, for three years at which time applicants must re-apply for a certificate. All documentation above is required at the time of application regardless of whether a certificate has been issued to applicants in the past.

What To Do When You Receive Your Firearms Purchase Certificate

Upon approval, the Grand Island Police Department will mail the Firearm Purchase Certificate to the address on your application and ID.  Upon receipt of your certificate, please inspect the document and ensure that the personal information is correct and that the Officer's signature appears. In the event of any typographical error or omission, please contact the Grand Island Police Department at 308-385-5400.

*Errors on the application form that would cause the application to be denied may require a new application and fee be charged for further processing.   

*Providing false information as to identification, residence, or any disqualifying information is a felony crime under Nebraska Statute 69-2408 for which you may be charged. 

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