FFL Transfer Guide

An FFL transfer is the step where a licensed dealer receives a firearm you bought somewhere else and hands it over to you after the legal paperwork. Every firearm we sell goes through one. Done right, it is a short visit to a local store. Done wrong, it can mean a gun sitting in a box for weeks. This guide explains the process from the dealer's side so you know what to expect.

What FFL means

FFL stands for Federal Firearms License, issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Dealers who hold one can receive firearms shipped from other states, keep the required records and run background checks. Gun stores, pawn shops, some sporting goods stores and many home-based dealers hold licenses. Any of them may accept transfers, but none are required to.

How to choose a transfer dealer

Look for a dealer that is close to home or work and open when you can get there. Then call and ask a few questions:

Do you accept online transfers? Most do, but some only accept transfers for items they cannot stock.
What is the fee? Fees are set by each dealer. Some charge a flat fee per firearm, some charge more for handguns, and some add a state background check fee. Ask for the full amount.
How do you want to be notified? Some dealers want your name and order number ahead of time.
Do you send your license to sellers? Many dealers keep a copy on file with large online sellers, which speeds things up.
How long will you hold a firearm? Some dealers charge storage after a set number of days.

Placing the order

At checkout, select your dealer from the list or enter the dealer's name and license number. We verify the license before shipping. If the dealer is new to us, we ask the dealer for a copy of their license, which can add a day or two. Tell your dealer the order is coming so they are ready to log it in.

Shipping and delivery

Firearms ship by carriers that accept them, usually with tracking and a signature required at the dealer. Handguns often ship by overnight or two-day service because of carrier rules. Once the package arrives, the dealer inspects it and enters the firearm into its acquisition and disposition book, the federal record that tracks every gun a dealer receives and transfers. Only then can they call you.

What to bring to pickup

A current government photo ID, usually a driver's license or state ID card.
If the ID does not show your current address, a government document that does, such as a vehicle registration, voter card or property tax statement.
Any state permit your state requires, such as a handgun purchase certificate, permit to purchase or safety course card.
A way to pay the transfer fee.
A case or lockable container if your state requires one for transport.

Filling out Form 4473

ATF Form 4473 is the Firearms Transaction Record. You complete Section A yourself: your identity, residence and a series of eligibility questions. The dealer completes the rest, records your ID and the firearm details, and runs the check. Read each question carefully. A wrong answer, even by accident, can stop the sale, and a knowingly false answer is a felony. If you are not sure how to answer something, ask the dealer before you write.

The background check

Most states use the FBI's NICS system for dealer sales. Some states act as their own point of contact and run checks through state police or a state bureau, which may cost more and take longer. The answer usually comes back in minutes:

Proceed means the transfer can go ahead, subject to any state waiting period.
Delayed means the examiner needs more time. Many dealers will not release a firearm until they get a final answer.
Denied means the dealer cannot transfer the firearm.

If you are delayed often because your name matches someone else's record, you can apply to the FBI for a Unique Personal Identification Number, which can help future checks go faster.

Waiting periods and state extras

Some states require the dealer to hold the firearm for a set time after the check, and a few require permits or safety training before any purchase. Colorado, for example, requires a three-day wait and, since August 2026, an eligibility card and safety course for certain semiautomatic firearms. Check the rules for your state on our city pages or in our guide to buying a gun online.

If something goes wrong

If the dealer's license was not accepted, the gun arrived damaged, or the transfer was denied, contact us with your order number. We work with the dealer to return the firearm. A denied buyer cannot take possession, and the dealer cannot hand the firearm to a friend or relative in your place.

Transfers for ammunition and parts

Ammunition and parts usually do not need a transfer. They ship to your door unless your state requires otherwise. Frames and receivers are firearms under federal law and always need a transfer.

Transfers between private parties

Some states require private sales to go through a dealer too, and even where they do not, many buyers and sellers use a dealer for peace of mind. The process is the same: the dealer takes the firearm in, the buyer fills out Form 4473 and passes the check, and the dealer charges a fee. Check your state's private sale rules before you buy or sell a used firearm.