Buying a firearm online has become increasingly common — and for good reason. Online marketplaces offer wider selection, better prices, and access to inventory that your local gun store may never stock. But there's one thing that makes online gun buying different from other online purchases: every firearm sold across state lines must go through a licensed FFL dealer.
This guide explains exactly what that means, why it exists, and how the process works when you buy through Trigger Transfers Marketplace.
What Is an FFL?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License. It's a license issued by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) that authorizes a person or business to manufacture, import, or sell firearms. Your local gun store is an FFL dealer. So is Trigger Transfers Marketplace.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 requires that most firearm transfers between individuals in different states go through a licensed FFL dealer. The dealer completes the background check and paperwork. This is why you can't simply ship a gun to a buyer's home like you would a book or a pair of shoes.
Step 1: Find a Listing
Browse Trigger Transfers Marketplace and find a firearm you want. Every seller on the platform is either an FFL-licensed dealer or a Verified Member who has completed identity verification. You'll see the seller's verification status on every listing.
Step 2: Contact the Seller
Send a message to the seller through the platform. Agree on price, confirm availability, and work out the details. At this stage you'll also decide: do you want it shipped to an FFL near you, or are you local to Summerville, SC and want to do a free in-person pickup?
Step 3: Choose Your Receiving FFL
You need to select a licensed FFL dealer near you who will receive the firearm. Most gun stores accept incoming transfers for a fee of $15–$50. Call ahead to confirm they accept transfers and ask for their FFL license information, which you'll share with the seller.
You can also use the Trigger Transfers FFL Directory to find participating dealers.
Step 4: Complete Payment
Once you've agreed on price and your receiving FFL is confirmed, complete payment to the seller. The seller will then ship the firearm to your chosen FFL dealer — not to your home address.
Step 5: The Firearm Arrives at Your FFL
Your FFL dealer receives the firearm and contacts you. You'll need to come in person to complete the paperwork. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
Step 6: Background Check and Form 4473
At the dealer, you'll complete ATF Form 4473 — the Firearms Transaction Record. This is the same form you fill out at any gun store. Your dealer then runs a NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) check. Most checks are instant or completed the same day.
Step 7: Take Possession
Once your background check is approved (or after any applicable state waiting period), you take possession of the firearm. That's it — you're done.
Why This Process Matters
The FFL transfer process exists to ensure that every buyer goes through a background check, that every transaction is properly documented, and that there are no anonymous sales. It's the same process that has governed retail firearm sales for decades — applied to the online world.
At Trigger Transfers, we built this compliance into the platform from day one. There's no workaround, no gray area, no way to skip the background check process. Every sale is clean and documented.