How to Buy a Gun Online: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Last updated: March 31, 2026 | UGS earns a commission when you shop through our links, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Yes, You Can Buy a Gun Online (Here’s How)

If you’ve never bought a gun online before, the whole idea can feel a little sketchy. Maybe even illegal? I get it. But here’s the deal: buying a firearm online is 100% legal in all 50 states. I’ve done it dozens of times, and the process is honestly easier than most people think.

The key thing to understand is that the gun doesn’t ship to your front door. It ships to a licensed gun dealer (called an FFL) near you. You go to that dealer, fill out the same paperwork you’d fill out buying in the store, pass a background check, and walk out with your firearm. That’s it. The federal government treats it exactly the same as an in-store purchase.

So why bother buying online at all? Price. Online retailers don’t have the same overhead as your local gun shop, and competition between dozens of stores drives prices down fast. I regularly save $50 to $200 per gun buying online versus walking into my local shop. And with tools like our price comparison engine, you can see exactly who has the best price in seconds.

Let me walk you through the entire process, step by step. By the end, you’ll wonder why you ever paid full retail at the counter.

Step 1: Find the Gun You Want

Before you start browsing retailers, know what you’re looking for. Have a specific model in mind, or at least a caliber and type. “I want a 9mm pistol” is fine. “I want a gun” is going to leave you overwhelmed by ten thousand options. If you’re doing research, our deals page is a great place to start because it shows you what’s actually on sale right now across all the major retailers.

Once you know what you want, use our Gun Price Check tool to compare prices across every major online retailer instantly. You’ll see who has the lowest price, who’s running a sale, and who has it in stock. This alone can save you an hour of tab-hopping. We also maintain a list of the cheapest online gun stores if you want to know which retailers consistently offer the best pricing.

One more tip: check if the gun you want is legal in your state before ordering. States like California, New York, Massachusetts, and a few others have restrictions on certain models, magazine capacities, and features. Nothing worse than placing an order only to have it canceled because the retailer can’t ship to your state.

Step 2: Find an FFL Dealer Near You

An FFL (Federal Firearms License) holder is a licensed dealer authorized to receive and transfer firearms. When you buy a gun online, the retailer ships it to an FFL near you, and that dealer handles the transfer paperwork. You can’t skip this step. It’s federal law.

Finding an FFL is easy. Google “FFL transfer near me” and you’ll get a list of local dealers, pawn shops, and ranges that offer the service. GunBroker also has an FFL finder tool. Or just call your local gun range or shop and ask if they do transfers. Most do. The important thing is to call ahead and confirm two things: that they accept transfers from online retailers, and what they charge for the service.

Transfer fees typically run $20 to $50, depending on your area. Big cities tend to charge more. Some shops charge extra if you bought the gun from an online competitor (petty, but it happens). A few FFLs even offer free transfers if you’re a regular customer. Shop around. Once you find a good FFL with reasonable fees, stick with them for every online purchase going forward.

Pro tip: build a relationship with your FFL. When they know you, the process gets faster. Some will even text you the moment your gun arrives instead of making you wait for an email three days later.

Step 3: Place Your Order

This part works just like buying anything else online. Add the gun to your cart, head to checkout, and enter your payment info. The one extra step is telling the retailer where to ship the gun. You’ll need to provide your FFL’s name, address, and sometimes their license number. Many large retailers like Palmetto State Armory and Brownells have built-in FFL finders that let you search by zip code and select your dealer right at checkout.

If the retailer doesn’t have your FFL on file, they’ll typically ask your dealer to send a copy of their license via fax or email. This sounds old-school, but most FFLs are used to it and can fire it off quickly. Some dealers even have their license posted on their website for exactly this purpose. Just give your FFL a heads up that an order is coming.

As for payment, most retailers accept credit cards. A few accept PayPal, but that’s rare since PayPal has historically been hostile toward firearms transactions. Sales tax depends on your state and whether the retailer has a physical presence (nexus) there. More and more online gun stores are collecting sales tax these days thanks to changing state laws.

Step 4: Your FFL Receives the Gun

After you place your order, the retailer ships the gun directly to your FFL via a common carrier like UPS or FedEx. Shipping typically takes 3 to 7 business days, though some retailers are faster than others. Palmetto State Armory is known for quick shipping, while others can take a bit longer to process. You’ll usually get a tracking number so you can follow along.

Once your FFL receives the gun, they’ll contact you to schedule a pickup. Most dealers call, text, or email. Don’t sit on it too long. Some FFLs charge storage fees if you don’t pick up within 7 to 14 days, and a few will even send the gun back to the retailer after 30 days. When your dealer says it’s in, get there reasonably soon.

Step 5: Pick Up Your Gun and Pass the Background Check

This is where the process becomes identical to buying from a local gun shop. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID). Your ID must show your current address. If it doesn’t match your current residence, bring a secondary document like a utility bill or vehicle registration as proof of address. Some states require additional ID or permits, so know your local requirements ahead of time.

At the dealer, you’ll fill out ATF Form 4473. It’s a federal form with a series of questions about your eligibility to purchase a firearm. It asks about citizenship, criminal history, drug use, and a few other disqualifying factors. The form is straightforward. Answer honestly. Lying on a 4473 is a federal felony.

After you complete the form, the dealer runs a NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) background check. There are three possible results. “Proceed” means you’re good to go and you can take the gun home immediately. “Delayed” means the system needs more time to make a determination, which can take up to three business days. After three business days with no final answer, the dealer can legally release the firearm at their discretion (though some choose not to). “Denied” means you can’t purchase the firearm, and you’ll receive information on how to appeal if you believe the denial was in error.

Some states impose their own waiting periods on top of the federal process. California has a 10-day wait. Florida requires a 3-day wait for handguns (with some exceptions for CCW holders). Check your state’s laws so you’re not caught off guard. But in most states? You fill out the form, pass the check, pay the transfer fee, and walk out with your gun that same day.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Gun Online?

Let’s break down the total cost so there are no surprises. You’re paying for the gun itself, shipping (usually $10 to $30), the FFL transfer fee ($20 to $50), and possibly sales tax. That’s it. No hidden fees, no dealer markup on the firearm price. The gun costs exactly what the website says it costs.

Even with shipping and transfer fees factored in, buying online almost always comes out cheaper. Here’s a real example: a Glock 19 Gen 5 might run $499 online. Add $25 for shipping and $30 for the FFL transfer, and you’re at $554 total. That same Glock at your local shop? Probably $579 to $629. You’re saving $25 to $75 on one of the most common handguns in America. On less common or higher-end firearms, the savings can easily hit $100 to $200.

Want to see exactly how prices compare? Our Gun Price Check tool pulls live pricing from all major retailers so you can see who has the best deal before you buy. And check out our Gun Deals of the Day for the biggest discounts happening right now.

Best Online Gun Stores

Not all online gun stores are created equal. After years of buying, testing, and tracking prices across every major retailer, here are the ones I trust and recommend. Every one of these has a solid reputation, good customer service, and competitive pricing.

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is hard to beat for budget-friendly AR-15s and everyday handguns. Their house-brand AR builds are some of the best values in the industry. Brownells has a massive selection and one of the best return policies in the business. If you need parts, accessories, or hard-to-find items, Brownells probably has it. EuroOptic is where you go for precision rifles, high-end optics, and European firearms that other retailers don’t carry.

Guns.com has a clean, easy-to-use interface and regularly runs solid deals on popular models. GrabAGun is consistently competitive on pricing and has a great filter system to find exactly what you’re looking for. And KyGunCo often has the lowest prices of any retailer we track, especially on handguns and shotguns.

For a deeper comparison of pricing, shipping, and customer service across all the top retailers, check out our full breakdown at Cheapest Online Gun Stores.

Can You Buy Ammo Online?

Yes, and it’s even easier than buying a gun online. In most states, ammunition ships directly to your door. No FFL, no background check, no transfer fee. Just add to cart, check out, and wait for the delivery driver. Buying ammo in bulk online is almost always the cheapest way to stock up, especially for common calibers like 9mm, 5.56, and .22 LR. Check our Ammo Deals page for the best current prices.

A few states do restrict online ammo purchases. California requires ammo to be shipped to a licensed vendor where you undergo a point-of-sale background check. New York requires ammo to be shipped to an FFL. Illinois requires a FOID card. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have their own restrictions too. If you live in one of those states, check your local laws before ordering. But for the other 40-something states, buying ammo online is as simple as ordering from Amazon.

Common Mistakes When Buying Guns Online

I’ve seen a lot of first-timers make the same mistakes. The biggest one: not calling your FFL before ordering. You need to confirm they accept transfers, ask about their fees, and make sure they’re willing to receive from your specific retailer. Some small-shop FFLs won’t accept transfers from certain large retailers out of principle. Better to know that before your gun ships to the wrong place.

Another common mistake is forgetting about the total cost. The sticker price on the website isn’t your out-the-door number. You still need to add shipping, the FFL fee, and sales tax. Factor all of that in before you decide online is cheaper. It almost always is, but do the math. Also, don’t buy from sketchy no-name websites just because the price looks too good to be true. If a site is selling a Glock 19 for $299 and every other retailer has it at $499, that’s a scam. Stick with established retailers.

Finally, know your state laws. If you live in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, or New Jersey, there are additional restrictions on what you can buy and how the process works. Some states require permits before you can even purchase. Some ban certain features. Don’t assume the process is the same everywhere, because it isn’t. Our state gun law guides can help you figure out the rules where you live. For a deeper look at when to buy and how to find the best gun deals, we’ve got you covered there too.

Current Online Gun Deals

Now that you know exactly how to buy a gun online, why not put that knowledge to work? Here are today’s best deals across all the major retailers. These update daily, so bookmark this page and check back often. You can also browse our full gun deals page or check out upcoming holiday sales for even bigger discounts.

Before you check out, make sure you understand FFL transfer fees so you are not surprised at pickup. Want to save even more? Our guide to buying guns online cheaper covers every trick in the book. And if you need help picking a retailer, check our ranked list of the best online gun stores.

How to Buy a Gun Online FAQ