What is an FFL and why do I need one to buy a firearm online?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms Licensee. The ATF, a federal law enforcement organization charged with regulating firearms and ammunition, grants these licenses.
FFLs can get guns shipped to them directly from vendors, distributors, and manufacturers, unlike most other people. With a few limited exceptions – including receiving a gun back from warranty or gunsmithing work – normal folks cannot have firearms shipped directly to their homes.
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Buying a Firearm Online: A Quick Walkthrough
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How do I find a local FFL to ship my firearm to?
The easiest way is to use an online FFL lookup tool like this one from GunBroker.com. Pick an FFL in your state. Generally, transfers from an FFL to a non-FFL Contact an FFL local to your area to make sure they’re conducting transfers. The ATF also ...