’Tis the season for gift giving, and you might be wondering if you can give a gun to someone special on your list.
Bottom line: you can give a gun as a gift to a recipient who is of legal age and otherwise legally able to own a firearm. If you’re buying the gun, as opposed to gifting one you already own, you’ll have to purchase it in your own name and transfer it to the recipient via an official FFL transaction.
Sound like a pain? After reading this, if you’re still unsure about the red tape in your neck of the woods (and we’re not talking about the one on your Christmas tree), the easiest thing for you to gift is a Guns.com gift card. A gift card will let your recipient have more control over the transaction and get the gun that you might not know they really wanted. It’s a win-win!
What You Need to Know
What you need to know first: Can the recipient legally own a firearm? It doesn’t matter if you’re gifting a brand-new or used gun from Guns.com or if you’re handing down your own favorite shotgun, you must ensure that the recipient can legally own it.
Are they old enough for the type of firearm you want to give them? States and firearm type will clearly dictate the age to own.
The ATF website and the National Shooting Sports Foundation have up-to-date, accurate information on giving guns as gifts. Your local Attorney General’s office is also a great source for information specific to the local requirements. Remember that giving a gun, whether it’s a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or even an air gun, comes with serious responsibility and legal obligations.
Depending on your state and current laws, the recipient may be required to have a specific license or permit, so you should know this ahead of time.
Buying and Transferring the Gun
You’ll have to buy the new gun in your name and go through the legal procedures of your state to take possession of it before you can transfer it to the recipient through an official FFL transaction. A background check will then have to be run on the new owner. There will likely be an FFL fee for this, and it will take time depending on your state’s laws.
If you’re shipping the new gun to the recipient, there are laws for that, too. You can’t send it to their house; it must go to a local FFL for proper transfer and paperwork. Contact your carrier in advance to see their specific requirements.
Summary
At the end of the day, it is possible to give a gun as a gift, but you need to do your homework and handle the transaction legally. You can still get the same effect by giving your loved one an easy, quick, and legal Guns.com gift card instead. We offer a great selection of new and used guns at competitive prices, and we’ve streamlined the process to make it easy for everyone involved.
