Minus all the paperwork and legal hoops you have to jump through, buying a gun has always been pretty straightforward: go into a gun store, take a look at the firearms they have available, and buy the one you want. You give a dealer money, he gives you a gun. You can ask the dealer questions about gun sales too, like whether used guns are cheaper than new guns and what firearm to get.
With online gun purchases, however, it's a little more complicated and you don't get as much hand-holding. Let's dive into how to buy a gun online so that you can find and order your next firearm without leaving your couch.
First, let's get one thing out of the way: buying a gun from an online gun store is 100% legal. You won't need to worry about the ATF checking in on you after you've gotten your rifle.
However, you can't have your gun delivered directly to your home. In order to buy a gun online, something called an FFL transfer needs to happen. This is where one gun dealer with a Federal Firearms License (FFL) gives another dealer a firearm. When moving guns over state lines, it's generally necessary for dealers to facilitate it.
Now that we've explained the legal guidelines we'll be following, let's go over the step-by-step process of purchasing your firearm online:
Like any other eCommerce site, online gun stores have a catalog you can look through of all the firearms, ammo, parts, and accessories this dealer offers. To make shopping easier for you, guns for sale are often divided into categories on the site. You'll be able to quickly find everything from semi-auto rifles to revolvers. Every gun has a product page with some pictures of the firearm, important specs, and a description. Even if you don't know how to buy a gun online, this part of the process is very intuitive.
Many stores have entire collections of used guns as well, so if you're on a budget, you can see whether their used guns are cheaper than new guns. That way, you can save a little money without sacrificing performance.
When you've found the gun you want, you can add it to your checkout cart – but don't check out yet! There's a very important step to remember when learning how to buy a gun online.
Here's where the FFL transfer we mentioned earlier becomes relevant. You need a local FFL dealer to agree to do an FFL transfer for you and receive the package. Most gun stores won't have any issues with it, but they may charge a small fee to facilitate the transaction. Give them your name and contact information so that when it arrives, they can let you know!
If you're only just learning how to buy a gun online, this might seem strange, but coordinating with them in advance will ensure they're expecting your package and won't try to just send it back. It also ensures that they're okay with doing this for you, and you'll know ahead of time how much they'll charge.
Now you've gotten the blessing of your local dealer to send them your gun! That means it's time to go ahead and do the most important part of your education in how to buy a gun online: place your order. You'll pay like you would on any other eCommerce site, then get a receipt (which you should save in case something goes wrong with the order). If you opted to buy a used gun, here's where you can say for certain that used guns are cheaper than new guns. Enjoy your savings!
When it ships, you'll also get a tracking number. This will let you know when your package has arrived at the gun store.
Now that you've learned how to buy a gun online, there's only one thing left to do: pick it up. Don't rush over as soon as you see the package has arrived, however. Wait until your dealer lets you know that they received the package and you can come pick it up. If you're really anxious, call them and make sure they're ready and don't need to do their own paperwork or inspections.
Go to your local dealer with your tracking number, receipt, government-issued ID, and any relevant gun permits. Before giving you your gun, be prepared for them to go through all the normal steps and paperwork that they would if you were purchasing a gun directly from them.
After all that's done, it's finally time. Grab some ammo, take your gun to the range, and see how it handles!
Now you've learned how to buy a gun online – but what if you need to return it? Every online store is different. At Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore, we accept returns for all guns provided they have not been taken from the gun dealer. Inspect your gun first before taking it. If you see any defects, give it back to the dealer and contact us.
If you bought a used gun (because, as we've mentioned, used guns are cheaper than new guns), we offer a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If you don't want the gun once you see it, we will take it back. Just get in touch with our team, and we'll give you the info you need to ship it to us.
Now that you know how to buy a gun online, it's time to actually do it! Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore has been selling quality guns at competitive prices since 2007. In our collection, you'll find everything from iconic AR-15 rifles to unique single-shot pistols. Plus, we only list guns that we have in stock in our warehouse. This means we ship out ASAP, and you never need to worry about unexpected backorders. Order your firearm today from Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
Mike Thompson is an avid outdoorsman and firearms enthusiast. With years of experience in hunting and shooting sports, he offers insights on gear reviews, safety tips, and hunting strategies. When he's not writing, you'll find him exploring new trails or honing his marksmanship.
