Buying a Firearm Online: A Quick Walkthrough

Buying a Firearm Online: A Quick Walkthrough

Here’s a snapshot of the process for buying a gun online. The following assumes you are: (a) of legal age to transfer the firearm, and (b) are not a prohibited person. For a more detailed explanation of the process, scroll down to the next section. For more information on the law, visit our Firearms Laws in the US page.

Step 1: Purchase the firearm from an online vendor (like Southern Defense)
  1. Do your research. Find the gun you want.
  2. Add it to your cart and check out. Pay for the firearm.
  3. Have a local FFL’s business address ready to go during the checkout process. You might need to supply this and other information about the FFL to the online vendor immediately after your purchase.
Step 2: Ship the firearm to a local Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL)
  1. Most people cannot receive firearms from vendors in the mail. FFLs, on the other hand, have a special license from the US government that permits them to do this. 
  2. To find an FFL near you, click here.
  3. Direct the shipment of your firearm to the FFL’s business address. 
Step 3: Once the firearm arrives to the FFL, go to their shop and conduct a background check
  1. Use your tracking number as a rough indicator of when to check in with the FFL. Some FFLs will attempt to contact you as soon as a firearm arrives. Others may not contact you at all, and you’ll need to call them to confirm the firearm is at their location and ready to be transferred.
  2. Go in-person to the FFL and perform a background check. You’ll need to fill out several forms and present identification.
  3. You’ll also need to pay the FFL’s fee(s) for the background check and transfer processes.
Step 4: When the background check clears, you can take the firearm home
  1. Most background checks, including the FBI’s NICS, happen while you wait in the FFL’s shop. After a successful background check, you can take the firearm home.
  2. Some states have a waiting period during which you cannot legally take possession of the firearm. If this is the case with your state, your FFL will instruct you when to return and take possession.