Buying a gun online is legal and common, but the gun can’t ship to your house. It ships to a licensed dealer, called an FFL, and you pick it up there after a background check. This is how it goes, start to finish.
Why it ships to a dealer
Federal law says a licensed dealer has to handle the sale when a gun goes from a seller to a buyer across state lines. The dealer takes in the gun, makes sure you can legally own it and records the sale.
1. Pick your dealer before you check out
Most online stores ask you to choose an FFL at checkout. Call the shop first to make sure they take transfers and to find out the fee, so your package doesn’t end up in limbo. Ours is $30 a gun, and we have military and first-responder discounts. Give us a call at (936) 873-2055 if the seller needs our license or you want us to watch for it.
2. The seller ships it to the shop
The seller needs a copy of the dealer’s license before shipping. Big online stores usually have it on file. Smaller and private sellers will ask the shop to send it. Once it ships, hang on to the tracking number.
3. We log it in and call you
When the package shows up, we check it in, record it in our books and give you a call.
4. Paperwork and the background check
At the counter you show a photo ID with your current address and fill out ATF Form 4473, and we run the background check. Most come back in a few minutes. If yours is delayed, we’ll explain what happens next.
5. Pay the fee and take it home
Once you clear, you pay the transfer fee and it’s yours. Look it over before you sign: check the model and serial number against your order and make sure nothing got damaged in shipping.
Rules that trip people up
- Age: 21 for handguns and 18 for rifles and shotguns from a dealer.
- Residency: handguns only go to residents of the dealer’s state. Rifles and shotguns can go to out-of-state buyers in person when it’s legal in both states.
- No stand-ins: the buyer has to fill out the form and pick it up.
- Suppressors and SBR/SBS: since October 9, 2026, these go on a 4473 too, with no Form 4.
Ready to order?
Have it shipped to us. Our FFL transfers page has our address and what to bring.