4 Easy Steps

1. Check Federal, State and Local gun laws.
2. Select a gun you like on an online store of your choice.
3. Select an FFL (Federal Firearms Licence) dealer.
4. Collect the rifle from the FFL dealer

It’s really that simple. Now let’s go into more detail and I’ll walk you through the process.

Check Federal, State and Local Gun Laws.

I am not a lawyer, so use the following as a guide. It is completely legal to buy a gun online. Gun laws can evolve and change, so it is best to check authority websites that keep up with any changes to the law. A good site to check is the NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association – Institute for Legislative Action). On the home page, there is a box titled ‘Know your States gun laws’. Click the drop-down menu and select your State to find the appropriate gun laws.

Another good site is Giffords Law Center. This has some really good information about gun laws, background checks, who can own and purchase a gun, and gun owner responsibilities, to name a few with an underlying goal to prevent gun violence. You can also check what age limits there are for purchasing a gun by state. Some states have no age limit, while others are 16, 18, and 21. Check the link above for more information.

Most states do not require you to have a gun licence to buy rifles, but some local and State laws require a gun licence for a handgun, so it’s best to check using the links above.

Select a Gun You Like on an Online Store of Your Choice.

There are many online firearm stores out there selling guns. I personally like Brownells. They are a 3^rd generation, family-run business that has been selling guns since 1939, so they are a reputable company. The company offers many benefits which make choosing them a good choice. They offer free shipping on all gun purchases, plus free shipping on all accessory purchases over $49 (at time of writing). They also offer a loyalty program for a modest annual fee if you’re a regular customer called ‘Brownells Edge’ that has benefits such as free 2-day shipping on most orders, discounted overnight shipping, member-only offers and discounts, risk-free ordering and a ‘forever guarantee’.

Below, I’ll walk you through selecting a gun using Brownells as an example.

Go to brownells.com . Hold your cursor over the ‘Firearms’ tab in the menu bar and select the action you want in the dropdown, such as bolt action or semi-auto, or just type the name of the gun in the search bar if you already know what you want.

Next, choose the gun you want, such as the Ruger 10/22 for example, then click on it to open the product page which has stats and a short description about that particular rifle. Enter your Zip code into the box and click ‘check’ to see if the rifle complies with local laws in your area and can be shipped to your FFL.

>>>Related: Whats the difference between .22short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle and .22 Mag

Select an FFL (Federal Firearms Licence) Dealer.

Ok, next step. Click on the tab ‘find an FFL dealer’ to find and select a dealer of your choice near you. Here’s a tip when selecting your FFL dealer. When purchasing a gun online at any online store, including Brownells, the online store will usually show ‘Featured FFL Dealers’ and ‘Other FFL’ dealers. Featured dealers already have an agreement in place with the online store so when you make a purchase, the purchase is automatically sent to that FFL dealer, ready for you to collect. If you can select this option, do so because it is a lot easier. If you have to select ‘Other dealer’ then you will have to contact that dealer directly and have a signed copy of the FFL sent to the online store, so they can process your order. It is important to note that the FFL is a 3rd party, receiving the order on your behalf and as such, requires payment for their services, usually around $25-$30. There may also be sales taxes added to the purchase.

Once you have selected an FFL, click ‘return to previous page’ to take you back to the product. Click add to cart if you are happy.

This is a good time to continue shopping if you require more than just the rifle purchase such as ammo and accessories, or you can just go to your cart. Note that firearms must be sent to your FFL, they cannot be shipped directly to you. Accessories can be shipped directly to your home or address stipulated once you complete the order.

Click on ‘view cart’ and check to make sure the quantities of your purchases are correct before clicking ‘checkout’.

If you’re going to be making more purchases from the online store in the future, it’s a good idea to create an account in the checkout area. Creating an account will make it easier and quicker for your next purchase as all you have to do is log in and the site will remember all your details, so you don’t have to re-enter them.

Once you’re happy and have reviewed your order, go ahead and make the purchase, which is usually by credit card via a secure payment.

Collect the Rifle From the FFL dealer

You should receive an email from the online store when your order has arrived at the FFL dealer and is ready for collection. Go to the dealer and pay any service fees or taxes to complete the transfer. A background check will be part of the transfer. Make sure you check your local gun laws to see if you need to take any identification or documents with you to the dealer to complete the transaction.

That’s it, you now own your new gun!

>>>> GET YOUR HOME BASED FFL and buy guns and ammo at wholesale!

Why Buy a Gun Online?

Buying online is just a whole lot easier than heading down to your local gun store. If you prefer to actually hold the gun in your hands before purchasing, by all means, go to the gun shop and do some research.

>>>Related: How to Legally Buy a Gun Online | 4 Easy Steps

I do this sometimes when I am unsure about the purchase, especially if it is an expensive item. I like to hold it, feel it, see it working etc. But I usually do this as part of my research, then head back to the computer and find it cheaper online. Nine times out of 10, I can usually find things cheaper online, compared to a brick and mortar store.

There is also usually every type of gun available online compared to what might be in stock at your local gun store, so your selection is much greater online.

Also, if you buy a rifle online and are not happy with it, most stores will be happy to take it back and offer you an alternative (check with the store).

How to Keep Your Gun Clean and Safe

Now that you have your new rifle, you’ll want to keep it clean and safe, so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands. State and Federal Law requires all gun owners to keep their guns out of reach of any unlawful user and those who can potentially kill themselves or others (either intentionally or accidentally).

The law is very clear and prescriptive and typically require guns to be stored in a lockable container or gun safe when not in use.

I keep a rifle cover on my rifles to keep the dust off and keep it locked in my gun cabinet. I always have the bolt and ammunition stored separately, so the rifle is useless or harmless if it is stolen or a child gets hold of it.

The statistics for careless storage of firearms in the US is alarming. A 2018 study found that 4.6 million minors live in a house with at least one loaded, un-secure firearm.

And if you get it wrong, the results can be deadly. Between 2005-2014, around 20,000 minors were killed or seriously wounded in the US as a result of accidental shootings, most of which were under 12 years old.

So, don’t get yourself into such a traumatic situation! Keep your guns locked up and unloaded and follow safe gun use protocol.

I usually clean my rifles after every use using a gun cleaning kit.

Conclusion

It is a relatively easy process to buy a gun online. Just be sure to check out the gun laws for your state.

Once you take ownership of any guns, keep them locked up and safe to prevent theft and any accidental or intentional injuries or deaths.

If you’re not happy with your purchase, get in touch with the online store to see how they can assist.