How to Buy a Gun Online.
I’m going to explain the process to buy a gun online, legally, in the United States, for the purposes of clearing any possible misconceptions regarding the process.
Nothing I am informing you of here is illegal, nothing here cannot be found via a simple web search. I am merely collating this information so you can understand the process. Whenever handling a firearm, follow the 4 fundamental rules of firearm safety (link).
Go to gunbroker.com. I already have an account (which is required to use the service), but you will need to make an account, and fill in all the relevant information truthfully.
After this, you search for the firearm you are looking for. I will be searching for a Mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun (because I don’t have one of those yet).
The search function of this website is very intuitive and easy to use, and allows you to filter for what you are looking for. Honestly, I find it easier to use than most commercial sites.
I’ve found the firearm I’m looking for, and I click the link to see the listing. The gun is being sold by a company that is legally required to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and is licensed as an FFL.
As you can see, I can place a “maximum bid” on the item, and the website will automatically raise my bid until either I hit my maximum bid, or I am winning the auction. In other cases, you can also utilize a “Buy it Now” option, to buy a product directly without needing to make a bid.
(Note, I already bid on a different product, and we’re going to assume you’ve used e-commerce stores a bit, like ebay or the like. Also, humble brag, but I got my shotgun for less than half the MSRP.)
After I make the Bid, and win the bid, I receive an email with additional information on how to contact the FFL.
Note, I cannot have a firearm directly shipped to my residence, under Federal Law. The firearm must be securely transferred to another FFL (gun store) in my local area, where I can pick it up; more on that later.
With this in mind, I am given the option to select a FFL from a list of registered FFL’s, or, if I have the information of a local FFL, input their license number.
After I contact my local FFL, and they exchange information with the FFL I purchased the firearm from, they will manage the shipping between themselves, after I have paid the seller the amount I bid for.
I will continue to receive regular updates on the transport of my firearm from both FFL’s and be informed when the firearm is ready for me to pick up.
It always is a good idea to have a polite and regular level of communication with your seller and local FFL, to avoid any mishaps. They do this every day and helping you is what puts food on their table, don’t be afraid to ask them questions if you are concerned or confused.
In cases of states with waiting periods, or at the request of the FFL, you will need to go into the FFL and perform a NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) Background check several days before you can pick up your firearm. It is imperative you discuss this with your FFL beforehand to ensure there are no issues later.
Either way, as this is an interstate transfer as well as a purchase from a FFL, you are required by Federal Law to undergo a background check. The following people are prohibited from buying a firearm; if you fall into these categories or feel you may, go to an FFL and request a background check to ensure you are not a prohibited person before you make a purchase.
- A person who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year or any state offense classified by the state as a misdemeanor and is punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than two years.
- Persons who are fugitives from justice.
- An unlawful user and/or an addict of any controlled substance; for example, a person convicted for the use or possession of a controlled substance within the past year; or a person with multiple arrests for the use or possession of a controlled substance within the past five years with the most recent arrest occurring within the past year; or a person found through a drug test to use a controlled substance unlawfully, provided the test was administered within the past year.
- A person adjudicated mental defective or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or incompetent to handle own affairs, including dispositions to criminal charges of found not guilty by reason of insanity or found incompetent to stand trial.
- A person who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the United States.
- A person who, being an alien except as provided in subsection (y) (2), has been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.
- A person dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
- A person who has renounced his/her United States citizenship.
- The subject of a protective order issued after a hearing in which the respondent had notice that restrains them from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such partner. This does not include ex parte orders.
- A person convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime which includes the use or attempted use of physical force or threatened use of a deadly weapon and the defendant was the spouse, former spouse, parent, guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited in the past with the victim as a spouse, parent, guardian or similar situation to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victim.
- A person who is under indictment or information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
Either way, you will be required to fill out a form 4473, which is a document used to perform your background check. The information you provide is then inputted into a computer database to check against any possible red flags. Think of it as a very specialized, secured Google Search or Database look up; if your information shows a possible link, you will be flagged and further investigation is required. Often, this does not happen, unless you have a very common name, or give incorrect/false information, or are a prohibited person (obviously).
After you have been confirmed to not be a prohibited person, you pay any fees for storage, handling, or the NICS check (which can vary from $10 to $90 or more in some locations, always shop around), and receive the firearm.
When transporting the firearm, please do so unloaded, in a locked container such as a trunk or gun case, as is required by your local laws or ordinances.
That is the full process of purchasing a firearm online.
This is somewhat specific for gunbroker (as that is my favorite gun website online) but this is applicable to almost all other online firearm purchases. The process is, purchase and pay for the firearm, locate/inform your FFL, confirm shipping, undergo background check, and pay for the handling and storage/NICS check.
If you have further questions, or if you see an error in this post please feel free to let me know, either via reblog or PM.
