How an FFL Transfer Works
Buying a firearm online opens up a much wider selection than what sits on any single store's shelf, but federal law requires that the gun ship to a licensed dealer rather than directly to your door. That dealer is called a Federal Firearms Licensee, or FFL, and the process of receiving your gun through one is known as an FFL transfer. Here is exactly how it works.
What Is an FFL Transfer?
An FFL is a business or individual licensed by the federal government to sell, transfer, and receive firearms. When you buy a gun from an online retailer, an auction site, or a private seller in another state, the seller ships it to an FFL near you instead of to your home. The FFL then handles the legal paperwork and background check required to release the firearm into your possession.
Why You Need One When Buying Online
Federal law does not allow firearms to be shipped directly to an unlicensed individual across state lines. Routing the sale through a local FFL ensures the same background check and paperwork requirements apply whether you buy in person or online. It is not an extra hurdle so much as it is how the law keeps the process consistent no matter where the gun ships from.
The Transfer Process Step by Step
1. Choose Your Receiving FFL
Before you buy, arrange with an FFL to receive the firearm on your behalf. Most online retailers will ask for the dealer's license information at checkout, so have that ready ahead of time.
2. The Seller Ships to the FFL
The retailer or private seller ships the firearm directly to the FFL's licensed address. You will typically get a tracking number and can watch for it to arrive just like any other package.
3. The FFL Logs the Firearm
When the firearm arrives, the dealer records it into their federally required acquisition log before it can be released to anyone.
4. You Complete a Background Check
You will fill out ATF Form 4473 and the dealer will run a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the same process required for any retail firearm purchase.
5. You Take Possession
Once the background check clears, the dealer releases the firearm to you and the transfer is complete.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- A valid, government issued photo ID showing your current address
- Your order confirmation or tracking information, if available
- Payment for the transfer fee
The Transfer Fee
At Tin Star Shooting Range, FFL transfers run twenty five dollars, paid in cash at pickup. This fee covers the paperwork, the background check submission, and the logging required to legally release the firearm to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an FFL transfer take?
Once the firearm has arrived and you are ready to complete your background check, most transfers are finished during a single visit, assuming the check clears without delay.
Can I have a firearm shipped to my home instead?
No. Federal law requires firearms shipped from another party to go through a licensed FFL, with limited exceptions that do not apply to typical online purchases.
What if my background check does not clear immediately?
Occasionally a check requires additional review. If that happens, your dealer will let you know the status and next steps.
If you have already bought a firearm online and need a place to send it, or if you have questions before you buy, stop by or give Tin Star Shooting Range a call. We handle transfers regularly and can walk you through what to expect.