Buying a firearm online is a little different from ordering most products on the internet.
You can shop for a firearm online, place an order, and pay for it online. But in most cases, a firearm purchased online cannot simply be shipped to your home.
Instead, the firearm is shipped to a licensed firearms dealer, commonly called an FFL, where the required transfer process takes place.
If you’ve never purchased a gun online before, terms like FFL transfer, transfer dealer, background check, and FFL information can make the process sound more complicated than it really is.
Here’s how it works.
What Is an FFL?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License.
A Federal Firearms License is issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and allows qualified individuals or businesses to engage in certain firearms-related activities regulated under federal law.
There are several types of Federal Firearms Licenses, but when someone says they need to “send a gun to an FFL,” they’re generally talking about a federally licensed firearms dealer who can receive the firearm and legally transfer it to the buyer.
That local dealer becomes the receiving or transfer FFL for the transaction.
Can You Legally Buy a Gun Online?
Yes. Firearms can legally be purchased online, subject to federal, state, and local laws.
What makes a firearm purchase different from an ordinary online transaction is how the firearm is delivered.
When federal law requires the transaction to go through a licensed dealer, the firearm is shipped to an appropriate FFL rather than directly to the buyer. The buyer then completes the required transfer process with that dealer before taking possession of the firearm.
Buying online does not bypass the normal legal requirements associated with purchasing a firearm.
Think of the website as the place where you shop for and purchase the firearm and the receiving FFL as the location where the legal transfer to you is completed.
How Does Buying a Gun Online Work?
The process generally looks like this:
Shop → Purchase → Choose an FFL → Firearm Ships to FFL → Complete Transfer Requirements → Take Possession
Let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Choose the Firearm You Want to Purchase
The process begins just like most online purchases.
You find the firearm you want, review its specifications, confirm the price and availability, and place the order.
Before ordering, however, make sure you are legally eligible to purchase and possess the firearm and that the firearm itself is lawful in your jurisdiction.
Firearm laws can vary by state and locality, so a firearm available for sale online is not automatically legal for every purchaser in every location.
Step 2: Choose a Local FFL Dealer
During or shortly after checkout, you’ll typically need to identify the licensed dealer who will receive the firearm.
This dealer is commonly referred to as your:
- Receiving FFL
- Transfer FFL
- FFL dealer
- Transfer dealer
Some online firearm retailers maintain databases of FFL dealers who have previously provided their license information. In those cases, you may be able to select a nearby dealer during checkout.
If your preferred dealer isn’t already on file, the dealer may need to provide a copy of its FFL or other required information to the seller before the firearm can be shipped.
It’s a good idea to contact the receiving dealer before placing your order.
Confirm that they are willing to accept the transfer, ask what they charge for an FFL transfer, and find out whether they have any particular procedures for incoming firearms.
Step 3: The Seller Verifies the Receiving FFL
Before shipping the firearm, the seller must have the information necessary to legally ship it to the receiving licensee.
This is why an online gun order may not ship immediately even when the firearm itself is in stock.
If the receiving dealer’s license information is already on file, the process may be relatively quick.
If it isn’t, the seller may need to obtain and verify the dealer’s FFL information before processing the shipment.
Providing accurate FFL information when ordering can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Step 4: The Firearm Is Shipped to the FFL
Once the required dealer information has been received and verified, the firearm can be shipped to the receiving FFL.
The firearm is not yet yours to take home simply because you’ve already paid for it online.
Your online payment purchased the firearm from the seller. The transfer dealer still has to complete the legally required process before transferring possession of the firearm to you.
Wait until the receiving dealer confirms that the firearm has been received and is ready for processing before heading to the store.
A delivery notification from the shipping carrier does not necessarily mean the dealer has checked the firearm into inventory and is ready to perform the transfer.
Step 5: Complete ATF Form 4473
When you arrive at the receiving FFL to complete the transfer, you’ll generally be required to complete ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.
Form 4473 collects information used in the firearms transfer process and asks questions relating to the purchaser’s identity and eligibility to receive a firearm.
Complete the form accurately and truthfully.
Making false statements on a federal firearms form can carry serious legal consequences.
The dealer will also need to verify your identity using appropriate identification and follow applicable federal and state requirements.
Step 6: Complete the Required Background Check or Applicable Alternative
For a typical dealer transfer, the FFL must comply with the applicable background-check requirements before transferring the firearm.
Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, this may involve the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), a state point-of-contact system, or another legally recognized process.
A background check does not necessarily produce an immediate approval every time.
The transaction may receive a response requiring additional time or otherwise be subject to applicable federal or state procedures.
The dealer must follow the law and cannot simply hand over the firearm because it has already been paid for.
Step 7: Complete Any Additional State or Local Requirements
Federal law is only one part of the picture.
Depending on where you live, state or local law may impose additional requirements involving certain firearm purchases or transfers.
These requirements can change and can differ significantly between jurisdictions.
That’s another reason selecting a knowledgeable local FFL is important. The receiving dealer is responsible for conducting the transfer in accordance with the laws applicable to that transaction.
Step 8: Take Possession of Your Firearm
Once all applicable requirements have been satisfied and the FFL can legally complete the transfer, the firearm can be released to you.
At that point, the online purchasing and FFL transfer process is complete.
How Much Does an FFL Transfer Cost?
FFL transfer fees are set by individual dealers and can vary.
The transfer fee compensates the receiving dealer for accepting the shipment, processing the firearm into its records, handling the required paperwork, conducting the transfer, and complying with applicable legal requirements.
Some dealers charge a flat transfer fee. Others may have different fees depending on the type or number of firearms involved.
Before ordering a firearm online, contact your chosen dealer and ask:
“What is your transfer fee for a firearm purchased online?”
That prevents surprises when you arrive to pick up your firearm.
How Long Does an FFL Transfer Take?
There are really two different timelines involved in an online firearm purchase.
The first is the time required for the seller to process and ship the firearm to your FFL.
The second is the time required to legally complete the transfer once the firearm arrives.
Shipping time depends on the seller, receiving dealer information, carrier, inventory status, and other logistical factors.
The actual transfer timeline can depend on background-check results and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
For that reason, there isn’t one universal answer to how long every FFL transfer takes.
Can a Gun Purchased Online Be Shipped Directly to Your House?
For an ordinary online purchase of a modern firearm from a dealer, generally no.
The firearm typically must be shipped to an appropriate Federal Firearms Licensee, where the required transfer process is completed before the purchaser takes possession.
There are specialized situations governed by different rules, but consumers should not assume that an ordinary firearm purchased online can simply be delivered to their front door.
Can I Use Any FFL for an Online Gun Purchase?
You need an FFL that is legally able and willing to receive and transfer the firearm involved.
Not every dealer accepts transfers from online sellers, and dealers that do accept them may have their own procedures and fees.
Before selecting an FFL, verify:
- The dealer accepts incoming transfers.
- The dealer can legally handle the type of firearm involved.
- You understand the dealer’s transfer fee.
- You know what identification or other documentation to bring.
- The dealer knows the firearm is being shipped to them.
A quick phone call before ordering can save a lot of frustration later.
What Happens if I Don’t Pass the Background Check?
Paying for a firearm does not guarantee that the receiving dealer can legally transfer it to you.
If the transaction cannot legally be completed, the FFL cannot release the firearm merely because you’ve already paid the online seller.
What happens to the firearm after that depends on the seller’s policies, the receiving dealer’s policies, and the circumstances involved. Return shipping, restocking charges, transfer-related costs, or other fees may apply.
This is one reason buyers should understand both the online seller’s policies and the receiving FFL’s policies before purchasing.
What Should I Bring to Pick Up an Online Gun Purchase?
Your receiving FFL can tell you exactly what documentation is required for your transaction.
At minimum, purchasers should expect to provide valid identification meeting the applicable legal requirements. Additional documentation may be necessary depending on your circumstances and jurisdiction.
If you’re unsure, call the dealer before making the trip.
It’s much easier to confirm what you need beforehand than to discover at the counter that you don’t have the required documentation.
Do I Pay the Online Store or the FFL?
Usually, both businesses are being paid for different parts of the transaction.
You pay the online seller for the firearm and associated purchase costs.
You pay the receiving FFL its transfer fee and any other applicable charges.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, the FFL transfer fee is generally separate from the price you paid the online retailer.
Why Buy a Gun Online?
Online firearm shopping can give buyers access to a much broader selection than any single physical store could reasonably keep in inventory.
It can be particularly useful when you’re looking for:
- A specific manufacturer or model
- A particular caliber
- A specific barrel length or configuration
- A particular finish
- Less-common variants
- Competitive pricing
- Firearms that may not be stocked locally
The FFL system allows consumers to shop across a larger marketplace while still completing the legally required dealer transfer process before taking possession.
Is Buying a Gun Online Complicated?
Usually, no.
For a first-time online firearm buyer, the process can look intimidating because there are a few additional steps compared with purchasing something directly from a store.
In practice, the basic process is straightforward:
1. Find the firearm. 2. Purchase it online. 3. Select a receiving FFL. 4. The seller ships it to the FFL. 5. Visit the FFL and complete the required paperwork and background-check process. 6. Take possession once the dealer can legally complete the transfer.
Once you’ve completed an online firearm purchase before, the process tends to make much more sense.
Buying a Firearm Online: Frequently Asked Questions
What does FFL mean?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License. In an online firearm transaction, the term commonly refers to the licensed dealer receiving the firearm and completing the transfer to the purchaser.
What is an FFL transfer?
An FFL transfer occurs when a Federal Firearms Licensee legally transfers a firearm to another person after completing the requirements applicable to the transaction.
Can I buy a firearm online?
Yes, provided the purchase and resulting transfer comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Where does an online gun purchase get shipped?
An ordinary dealer sale requiring an FFL transfer is generally shipped to the licensed dealer you select rather than directly to your home.
Do I still need a background check if I buy a gun online?
Purchasing online does not eliminate background-check or other legal transfer requirements that apply to the transaction.
Does the FFL charge a fee?
Most receiving dealers charge a transfer fee. Fees and policies vary by dealer.
Should I call my FFL before ordering?
Yes. Confirm that the dealer accepts transfers, can handle the firearm involved, and find out what fees and procedures apply.
Buy Online. Pick Up Through an FFL.
Online firearm purchasing isn’t a way around the firearms transfer process. It’s simply another way to shop.
The internet gives buyers access to a much larger selection of firearms, configurations, and manufacturers than most individual stores can stock at one time. The receiving FFL then handles the regulated transfer before the buyer takes possession.
The key is understanding the process before placing your order.
Choose the firearm you want, select a reputable receiving FFL, understand the dealer’s fees and requirements, and make sure the firearm and transaction comply with the laws applicable to you.
Once those pieces are in place, buying a firearm online and completing an FFL transfer is generally a straightforward process.
When you’re ready to try the process, hop on over to 31 M Armory’s Store!
