Whether you’re in the market for your first firearm, or your 10th, you’ve probably wondered at some point how to buy a gun online. While many still opt to buy firearms in person, shopping for guns online can be a convenient option for those who don’t live near a gunshop, or who are looking for a wider range of choices.
So today at ModGuns, we are going to definitively answer the question “can I buy a gun online?”, as well as break down the step by step process for doing so. But first…
Dispelling Myths
Before we get into the details of how to buy guns online, we want to first take a moment to answer a few common questions and dispel any myths you may have heard about how to buy a gun online.
Can You Buy Guns Online Legally?
A common myth floating around is that purchasing guns online is somehow illegal. That is simply not true. Buying a gun online is completely legal in the United States.
However, all firearms purchased online require the participation of a Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) gun shop to receive orders and process background checks. Online gun orders cannot be sent directly to your home.
FFL dealers are licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and are the only way to have a gun delivered from an online store.
Can You Buy Guns Online Without a Background Check?
This is another oft-repeated misconception, that buying a gun online can circumvent a background check. This is also not true.
Once your online order has been made and the weapon is received by the FFL, the shop will still follow the same federal and state regulations, including background check requirements that firearms purchased in person follow.
While the specific laws may vary from state to state, there is no shortcut available in purchasing a gun online that will avoid a background check or other basic safety laws.
Can Fully Automatic Weapons Can Be Purchased Online?
Because it must be said, shopping for a gun online DOES NOT mean you can purchase firearms that are otherwise prohibited by law. Federal laws prevent the sale of fully automatic, select fire, or “assault style weapons'' to the general public. Shopping for a gun online will not change that.
Most online gun shops will have a large selection of weapons and ammunition for purchase, but they are all weapons that can be legally purchased in the United States.
Can Legally Prohibited Persons Have a 3rd Party Order a Gun for Them Online?
Another common misconception about online gun sales is that a person who is legally prohibited from purchasing firearms can have a friend or 3rd party purchase a gun for them online, and then transfer ownership to themselves.
This is known as a “straw purchase”, and in the context of firearms, is a Federal offense. It is extremely illegal, and violators can face up to 15 years in prison, and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. It is definitely not a mistake you want to make.
Why Buy a Gun Online?
If you’ve ever thought to yourself “I need to buy a gun”, but don’t have a quality gun shop in your area, buying a gun online is a great solution. But even if you have a gun shop nearby, online shopping offers several other advantages to buying in person.
Here are some reasons why people choose to shop for their firearms online.
Unmatched Selection
Shopping for a gun online gives you access to a much wider selection of firearms, as well as ammunition. No matter if you’re looking for something small for home defense, a hunting rifle, or something for competitive shooting, you can explore every option under the sun, from your own home.
Better Pricing and Convenience
Without the need for costly overhead, an online gun retailer’s pricing is often lower than vendors with physical stores. You can also quickly shop around and compare models, features, and other aspects of the weapon without having to visit multiple shops in person.
Inventory Availability
A huge benefit of shopping online for your next firearm at ModGuns is that we feature live inventory on our website - meaning you won’t have to wait for a backorder to arrive when you shop with us. All inventory on our website is in stock and available for purchase, which is a significant advantage when shopping for a firearm online.
How to Buy a Gun Online
So now that you know the benefits of shopping for a firearm online, let’s get down to brass tacks and examine exactly how to buy a gun online.
Step 1. Choosing a Firearm
Of course, before you can purchase a firearm online, you need to know what kind of gun you want. Luckily, shopping for a gun online is much the same as shopping for anything else online.
At ModGuns, we have a huge selection of weapons and ammunition for you to choose from. We make it easy to shop, giving you all the information needed to compare makes and models. Plus, our highly trained sales staff is available to answer any questions by phone or by email to help you make an informed decision.
Once you’ve decided what type of gun you’d like to purchase, you can move on to step 2.
Step 2. Find a Local FFL Dealer to Receive Your Order
As we mentioned earlier, to complete the online purchase of a firearm you’ll need the help of a Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealer. The online gun retailer will need to ship the gun to your FFL dealer of choice, and you will pick it up from them.
We do strongly recommend that you identify and contact a local FFL dealer before you actually purchase the firearm online. You’ll first need to confirm that they are able to receive the gun on your behalf. Most FFLs are willing to do this, in exchange for a service fee, but do confirm someone in your area is able to work with you to receive the weapon.
The FFL dealer can also advise you on local regulations and requirements, including background checks, so that you can be fully aware of all requirements before placing an order.
Step 3. Purchase your Gun Online
Once you’ve confirmed that a local FFL will be able to receive your order, you can head back over to ModGuns and add any items you’d like to purchase to your cart.
During the checkout process, you’ll need to provide the FFL shop’s information before you can complete the order.
Remember, online gun sales cannot be shipped directly to your home. You must have the gun sent to a local FFL gun shop for processing and pickup.
Step 4. Picking Up Your New Firearm
Now that you’ve completed your order, ModGuns will ship your order to your selected FFL dealer. Once it has arrived, you’ll need to come in person to the FFL gun shop, provide your government issued ID, and submit any background checks or other paperwork required.
Rules can vary by state, so be sure you are aware of all local laws and regulations.
Once you have passed the background check and been approved, the gun will be transferred into your name and you can legally take possession.
We do also recommend that you take a moment to inspect your firearm alongside your FFL dealer to make sure there are no obvious issues with the weapon before you officially have it transferred to your name and take possession. Many online retailers will not accept returns after a weapon has been transferred to the purchaser.
Responsible Gun Usage for New Gun Owners
With everything going on in the world, we’ve been seeing an explosion in new gun ownership around the country. We think that's fantastic, and we wholeheartedly support those who wish to exercise their 2nd amendment rights.
But we would also like to take a brief moment to encourage everyone who owns a firearm or is considering purchasing one to always exercise safe and responsible usage.
If you’re making your first gun purchase, your local FFL dealer may offer a gun safety course, or can recommend one in your area. We highly encourage all new gun owners to take the time to educate themselves about safe gun usage. That is especially true if you have children in your home.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has some great, free materials that you can use to up your firearm safety knowledge, as well as resources for finding gun safety programs in your area.
Where Can I Buy a Gun Online?
So now we know the exact step by step process of how to buy a gun online. If you’re still wondering where to buy a gun online, look no further than ModGuns!
ModGuns features an enormous selection of firearms, ammo, and accessories at competitive prices. Our website also features live inventory, so you never have to worry about an item being out of stock. We make it easy to shop for firearms by brand, model, and firearm type, so you can always find exactly what you’re looking for.
Plus, our highly knowledgeable sales staff is always available to answer your questions by phone or by email.
When you’re ready to buy a gun online, ModGuns is ready to help you make the right choice. With great prices, outstanding selection, and top tier customer service, we look forward to helping you with your next firearm purchase. Happy shooting!