Buying a Firearm Online: In Depth

Buying a Firearm Online: In Depth

Here is a more detailed and in-depth guide to selecting and purchasing a firearm online.

Shopping for the Firearm
  1. For many folks, this is the best part of the gun buying process. Think about how to get the best combination of price, features, and durability.
  2. Next, select a trustworthy vendor. Google the vendor, read reviews. Basically, you’re looking to weed out any scam sites when you do this. Check forums to see if others have used the company in the past. Check out Southern Defense’s reviews here.
  3. If you’re unsure about what kind of firearm is right for you, check out Southern Defense’s primer on guns.
  4. To get certain details about a firearm, you might need to look in several places, including the manufacturer’s website. Most vendors will reliably tell you what cartridge it shoots (caliber), barrel length, the price, and magazine capacity. However, you might want to know the weight, overall length, what sights are included, and other details.
  5. Make it habit to check the manufacturer’s website to cross reference the model # or SKU you’re interested in. Manufacturers often make slight changes to firearms for state compliance–adding features like magazine disconnects or loaded chamber indicators–that will result in multiple SKUs for essentially the same gun. Make sure you’re getting exactly what you want.
  6. You’ll need a credit card to complete your purchase. It might also be a good idea to make most or all of your online gun purchases with a single card. Even better if it’s not tied to your checking account–such as a debit card would be. In the unlikely event of a data breach, you don’t want your bank account getting compromised. Note: this is good practice for online shopping in general. 
  7. When you check out, make sure the vendor uses a secure payment system (such as Authorize.net, etc.) 
Shipping Process and Transfer Fees
  1. An FFL can receive firearms from a vendor in the mail. You can’t. Here’s how to find an FFL near you:
    1. Use a lookup tool – such as this one from Gunbroker.com – and put in your zip code to locate FFLs close to home.
    2. Gunbroker’s tool lists what each FFL charges for handgun and long gun transfers. Prices are different between the two sometimes.
    3. Some big box / sporting goods stores may also transfer firearms. Check your local store’s website or contact them directly for current transfer prices. 
  2. FFLs set their own prices for transfers, and they can vary quite a bit. Use an FFL lookup to compare prices, but also know that prices may have gone up depending on when the FFL last updated their information on the site. 
  3. It’s good practice to contact the FFL and make sure they’re still conducting transfers before you ship your gun. Some of them also want a heads up once your gun ships.
  4. Confirm the FFL’s shipping address is correct before you ship a gun if you’ve never used them before.
  5. If the vendor hasn’t worked with your FFL before, you may need to contact your FFL and have them send their FFL information–or an actual copy of their license–to the vendor. 
  6. Make sure you understand the vendor’s shipping and return policies. You will definitely pay a restocking fee if the wrong firearm is shipped to an FFL (and it wasn’t the vendor’s fault).
  7. Understand that you’ll pay the FFL’s transfer fee when you eventually pick up your firearm. 
    1. Some states, such as CA, also charge a fee for their background check, which the FFL must pay. This cost is passed on to you. 
    2. Some states require a purchase permit ahead of time, which will have an associated fee, but this fee is usually assessed only once for each permit.
  8. So, you hammered refresh on your tracking number for several days–or weeks– and now you finally see your gun is “delivered” to your FFL:
    1. Your FFL won’t be ready for you the second they receive the firearm. They have to process the delivery and log it into their inventory. Be patient; this can take several days if they’re busy.
    2. Some FFLs will contact you when they’re ready to conduct the transfer. Many won’t. Call ahead to confirm they’re ready so you don’t waste a trip to their shop.
    3. Some smaller FFLs are “appointment only” for transfers so be ready to schedule something if this is the case.
Background Check
  1. When you go in for the background check and transfer:
    1. Bring your state driver’s license / official ID at minimum. 
    2. If the address on your ID doesn’t match your actual address, this will be a problem for the background check. However, many FFLs will accept one or more recent utility bills showing your current address as proof-of-residence. 
    3. When in doubt, call ahead to verify acceptable forms of ID!
  2. When you get to the shop, you will inspect the firearm. Make sure everything you ordered has arrived and that the firearm is acceptable to transfer to you. Now is the time to pack it up and send it back if something is wrong. 
  3. FFLs must provide a gun lock when transferring a handgun. If, for some reason, one didn’t ship with your firearm, you may have to pay for it.
  4. Before the transfer and background check can begin, you’ll pay the required fees.
  5. You will then fill out an ATF Form 4473, thereby stating your legal ability to receive the firearm. You will also submit to a federal background check at minimum.
    1. Click here to see the form.
    2. You will be asked to enter your full name, address, SSN, country of citizenship, as well as answer questions that determine your eligibility to receive the firearm.
    3. You must enter your full legal name (first-middle-last) correctly. Not doing so is a common reason background checks fail. Also make sure that physical features listed on your ID like height, weight, eye color, etc. match what you put on the form. 
    4. Some states also have additional background checks that happen in tandem with the federal check, or use a slightly modified process. 
    5. The core of the federal background check system is the FBI’s NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). In theory, the NICS check happens while you wait in the shop. In practice, there can be delays. 
    6. The NICS system will provide one of four responses:
      1. Proceed - The firearm may be transferred 
      2. Denied - The firearm may not be transferred because the transferee may be prohibited person
      3. Canceled - The firearm may not be transferred because the NICS check was not initiated properly
      4. Delayed - The transferor must wait a minimum of three business days before transferring the firearm while NICS conducts more research. Before this period is over, NICS may send a follow-up response of proceed, denied, or canceled.
  6. If you pass the check, and your state doesn’t have waiting periods, you’re ready for the next step.
  7. Some states impose a mandatory waiting period on every firearm purchase. The FFL will advise you of the time you must wait, when you can return to complete the transaction, and what paperwork to bring when you return. 
  8. For states like CA that conduct an additional search of criminal records on top of the NICS check, the waiting period is a chance for this search to occur. If the search returns evidence that you are a prohibited person, or they find an error in your paperwork, they will contact the FFL, who will then contact you.
Transfer and Take Possession
  1. Once you pass the background check and any mandatory waiting period is over, you can finalize the transfer.
  2. If your transfer is delayed, or if a waiting period must be observed, you’ll need to come back to the FFL’s shop several days later. Bring your approved form(s) of ID and whatever paperwork the FFL advised you to bring.
  3. You may inspect the firearm once again. The FFL will likely recheck the serial number and your paperwork one last time, especially if a waiting period has been observed.
  4. Some states have additional steps related to safe handling and storage that must be completed before you leave. For the most part, though, you’re done now! 
  5. Take that gun home (or to the range)!

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