Buying a gun online is not only easy and convenient, but it's also safe and legal in all 50 states. While the process is a little different than walking into your local gun store, you’ll still have to pass a background check for your new purchase. If it’s your first time buying a gun online, you may be wondering what to expect and how mandatory gun background checks work when you buy online. 

Buying a firearm from Guns.com is actually better than walking into your local gun store and browsing the current stock. We’re not limited by storefront size, so it’s more efficient to browse our virtually unlimited inventory from the comfort of your own home (or office – don’t worry, we won’t tell the boss). The background check process is the same once you purchase a firearm or win one in an auction. Here’s how to complete it, step by step.

Getting Started

1. Browse our huge selection of available new and used firearms online, and choose the gun you’d like to purchase.

2. Click “Add to Cart.” You’ll see notes about how we will ship to your preferred FFL, and the expected date range for the gun to ship to your FFL. Complete your checkout, including giving us your preferred FFL’s information, and you’re done, for now. 
 

What Happens Next

3. Our team of experts will pack and ship your new gun to your FFL. Then your FFL will notify you directly that your new gun is in their store.
 

4. You’ll go to your FFL’s location and fill out the required ATF paperwork. (Yes, you’ll still have to go in and fill out all of the appropriate paperwork once the gun you ordered is delivered. It’s the same paperwork whether it’s been in the local FFL’s stock for weeks or if a carrier just dropped it off tagged for you. And no, we cannot just mail it to your home address – that is illegal.)
 

5. Once your paperwork is complete, your FFL will contact the required National Instant Criminal Background Check System to ensure you can legally own the firearm you just purchased. Depending on your state of residence, you may have other requirements as well. Your local FFL will handle those details.

6. Once you’re cleared by your state and local requirements and your NICS check, your FFL will hand over your purchase for you to take home. 

That’s it! You’re still supporting your local gun store, because at the end of the day, that’s where you’ll do your background checks and take it home – it’s a win-win when you buy online at Guns.com.
 

Still have questions? Give us a call or check out our FAQs.