Selling a firearm online lets you reach buyers across the country instead of only the people who walk into your local shop. It is legal for both private owners and licensed dealers, as long as the firearm reaches the buyer through the right channel. This guide covers pricing, listing, getting paid without getting scammed, and shipping.
Who can sell a gun online?
Private individuals can sell firearms from their personal collection. Interstate sales to unlicensed buyers must go through a licensed dealer in the buyer’s state, so you ship to the buyer’s FFL, not to the buyer. Many states also regulate in-state private sales, and some require every sale to go through a dealer.
Licensed dealers sell inventory under their FFL and ship to the buyer’s receiving dealer, following their normal record-keeping and carrier agreements.
If you buy and sell firearms regularly to earn a profit, you may be “engaged in the business” and need a license. The line depends on the facts; when in doubt, talk to a firearms attorney before you start selling volume.
Step 1: Price it right
- Look at completed sales of the same make, model and condition, not just asking prices.
- Be honest about condition: bore, finish wear, round count, modifications and any repairs.
- Decide whether shipping is included or added, and say so clearly.
- Choose your format. A fixed price sells predictably; an auction can pay more for collectible or in-demand guns. You can also add a Buy Now price to an auction or accept offers on a fixed-price listing.
Step 2: Create a listing that sells
Clear, complete listings sell faster and get fewer disputes. Include:
- A specific title: manufacturer, model, caliber and key feature (“Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 Compact 9mm, 2 mags”).
- Original photos in good light: both sides, muzzle, bore, serial area with digits covered, and any flaws.
- What is included: magazines, case, manuals, accessories.
- Delivery options: shipping to an FFL, local pickup, or both.
Our individual seller listing checklist and guide to accurate listings and photos go deeper.
Step 3: Get paid safely
Payment is where private sellers get burned. Fake payment confirmations, overpayment scams and chargebacks after the gun has shipped are the usual tricks. Two rules prevent almost all of it:
- Do not ship until the money is actually yours. A screenshot or email is not payment.
- Use a payment method built for firearms. GunTab escrow verifies the buyer’s funds, tells you when it is safe to ship, and pays you after shipment. FFL sellers on Liberty Gun Trader can also take cards through their own Authorize.Net merchant account. See how gun escrow works.
Avoid payment apps that prohibit firearm transactions. Accounts can be frozen, and you lose any protection.
Step 4: Get the buyer’s FFL information
Before shipping a firearm, you need the receiving dealer’s business name, license number and address. Many dealers will email a copy of their license; some sellers verify the license through the ATF’s online FFL eZ Check before shipping. On Liberty Gun Trader, the buyer’s FFL details appear on the order in your Sales tab.
Step 5: Ship it the right way
Carrier rules differ for private sellers and dealers, and for handguns and long guns. Read how to ship a gun before you pack anything. The essentials: ship unloaded, ship ammunition separately, do not mark the outside of the box, use tracking and signature confirmation, and keep your receipts.
Step 6: Close out the sale
Upload tracking, mark the order shipped, and keep a simple record of who you sold to, the receiving FFL, the serial number and the date. If you used escrow, marking the order shipped is what starts your payout. Ask the buyer to leave feedback; good ratings help your next sale.
Selling on Liberty Gun Trader
- Free accounts during launch: individuals can keep up to three active listings, and verified FFLs get unlimited listings.
- Fixed price, auctions with automatic bidding, reserves and Buy Now, plus best offers.
- Built-in checkout with GunTab escrow for any approved seller and card payments for verified FFLs.
- A storefront page for your listings and ratings.
Create your free seller account to start listing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a gun to the buyer’s house?
Not to a buyer in another state. Ship to their licensed dealer.
Do I need an FFL to sell my own guns?
Not to occasionally sell from your personal collection, but rules on in-state private sales vary, and regular selling for profit can require a license.
Should I sell by auction or fixed price?
Fixed price for common guns where the market value is clear; auction for collectible, scarce or hard-to-price guns. Not sure what yours is worth? See how to price a used gun. See how online gun auctions work.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change often. Talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.