Buying a gun online is legal in the United States and has been routine for decades. The part that surprises first-time buyers is that the firearm does not ship to your house. It ships to a licensed dealer near you, who runs the same background check you would get buying off the shelf, and then hands it over. This guide walks through every step, what it costs, and how to avoid the problems that trip people up.
The short version
- Find the gun and confirm it is legal to own where you live.
- Pick a local FFL dealer who accepts transfers and get their license details.
- Buy the gun (fixed price, auction or accepted offer) and give the seller your dealer’s information.
- The seller ships the gun to your dealer.
- You visit the dealer, complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check, pay the transfer fee and take your gun home.
Step 1: Find the gun and check your local laws
Online marketplaces put far more inventory in front of you than any single store. On Liberty Gun Trader you can browse the marketplace by category, caliber, condition, seller type and distance from your ZIP code, and compare fixed-price listings with auctions.
Before you buy, confirm the specific item is legal for you to own and receive. Federal law sets the baseline, but several states and cities restrict certain models, features, magazine capacities, or require permits, registration or waiting periods. Your receiving dealer is a good sanity check: if they will not transfer a particular gun to you, they will usually tell you why. Ask before you pay, not after.
Step 2: Choose a receiving FFL dealer
Federal law generally requires that a firearm sold to someone in another state go through a federally licensed dealer (an “FFL”). Handguns must go to a dealer in the buyer’s own state of residence. Most buyers simply use a local gun shop. Call first and ask three questions:
- Do you accept transfers from online purchases, including from private sellers?
- What is your transfer fee, and is it per gun?
- Can you email a copy of your FFL to the seller, or should I send it?
Write down the dealer’s business name, license number, phone and address. You will enter these at checkout. Our complete guide to FFL transfers covers fees and what to bring in more detail, and you can find dealers on Liberty Gun Trader.
Step 3: Buy the gun
Listings are sold one of three ways:
- Buy Now (fixed price): pay the listed price and the item is yours.
- Auction: enter the most you are willing to pay and the system bids for you, only as much as needed to keep you in the lead. See how online gun auctions work.
- Make an offer: propose a price; the seller can accept, decline or counter.
At checkout you choose shipping or local pickup, enter your receiving FFL, and pay. Depending on the seller you can pay by card (charged by the seller’s own merchant account) or through GunTab escrow, which holds your money until the seller ships. Escrow is the safest way to pay someone you have never met; we explain it in gun escrow explained.
Never pay a stranger with a method that has no recourse, such as a wire transfer to a personal account, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Those are the payment methods scammers ask for.
Step 4: The seller ships to your dealer
Licensed dealers generally ship through carriers that accept firearms from licensees. Private sellers have fewer options; their rules are covered in how to ship a gun. Expect the seller to share a tracking number. Let your dealer know a package is coming, especially if the shop is busy.
Step 5: Pick up at the dealer
When the gun arrives, the dealer logs it into their records and contacts you. Bring a current government-issued photo ID that shows your current address (some states require additional documents, such as a permit or proof of residency). You will fill out ATF Form 4473, the dealer runs the background check, you pay the transfer fee, and, unless your state imposes a waiting period, you leave with your firearm.
What it really costs
| Cost | Typical range | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Item price | Listed price or winning bid | Seller |
| Shipping | Often $25 to $60 for a firearm | Seller |
| FFL transfer fee | Varies widely; many shops charge roughly $20 to $75 | Your dealer |
| Payment fees | Card or escrow fees, depending on method and who pays them | Payment provider and seller |
| State fees or taxes | Depends on your state | State law |
Add these together before you bid. A great auction price can disappear once shipping and transfer fees are counted.
Buying ammunition, magazines, parts and accessories
Most non-firearm items ship directly to you. Ammunition is the main exception to watch: several states restrict ammunition shipments or require purchases to go through a licensed vendor. Magazines over certain capacities are restricted in some states. Check your state before ordering.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying before confirming your dealer will accept the transfer.
- Choosing a dealer outside your home state for a handgun.
- Paying with a method that offers no protection.
- Forgetting to budget for shipping and the transfer fee.
- Ignoring state-specific restrictions on models, features or magazines.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to buy a gun online?
Yes. Buying online is legal; the transfer to you happens in person at a licensed dealer, with a background check, the same as an in-store purchase.
Can a gun be shipped to my house?
Not if you are buying from someone in another state. Interstate transfers to unlicensed buyers generally have to go through an FFL dealer.
Can I buy a gun online in another state?
Yes, from anywhere in the country, as long as it ships to a dealer in your state and is legal where you live. See buying a gun from another state.
How do I check a used gun when it arrives?
Inspect it at your dealer’s counter before you complete the paperwork, using our used gun inspection checklist.
How long does it take?
Usually a few business days for shipping plus the dealer’s processing time and any state waiting period.
Browse listings on Liberty Gun Trader or create a free account to bid, make offers and save searches.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Firearm laws vary by state and change often. Confirm the rules that apply to you with your receiving FFL dealer or a licensed attorney.