How do I buy a gun online?

[DoubleJ]

If I find a good deal online for a .243 and want to buy it, what is the normal proceedure?  I know I need someone with a FFL on my end to have it shipped to but, I don't know how to set it up or anything.  Before I even start to look, what do I need to know?

[chrisb]

generally you would mail or fax a copy of your FFL's license to the seller who would verify it and then ship the gun to the FFL holder.

[Ray]

If you need to have it transported you can get someone with a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to do the transfer. Most any gun shop should have FFL and the ability to do the transfers. They usually charge a fee which is less than 50 dollars. I want to say that the last time I did this the fee was 25 or 30 dollars for the transfer in order to be paid to the FFL holder and then shipping of course. Therefore - I would find an FFL Holder before closing a deal and make sure you know their cost for doing business.

Otherwise just buying from a private sale on the internet which is done face to face and there is no mail transport then you can buy guns much like you do at a gun show.

[BIGINNER]

CHRISB GOT IT...  THATS HOW IT USUALLY WORKS,  ARANGE A WAY TO MAKE THE PAYMENT,  AND SEND A SIGNED  COPY OF THE FFL.  AND JUST WAIT TIL THE GUN COMES IN.  

[coop2424]

All of what is above is correct but also if you are buying from a business you will have to pay tax at the time of FFL transfer.  If it is an idividual then they will have to work with a ffl on their side to ship to your ffl if your ffl does not allow shipment from individual.

[cwuwildcat]

gunbroker.coms website has a list of FFL's in your area.  Just plunk in your zip into it's search and it will give you a list.  Call one and confirm their rate.  Some are way out of date.  The guy I used is listed as $20, but he's now charging $35, and is charging/collecting the sales tax on the price of the firearm. 

[high country]

I do seem to remember that you can buy a long gun from a seller in your own state w/o a ffl recieving it. if it is interstate then it MUST be recieved. I may be out dated on that one......look for yourself. I do know that you will pay WA sales tax on the sale price, unless you ship it to a neighboring state.

[Bscman]

In WA state:

If buying from another WA state resident, a long gun DOES NOT need to be transferred through an FFL. It can be shipped directly to you.
Seems strange, but this is true in Washington for shipping WITHIN the state.

To do the transfer:

All out of state purchases must be sent and handled via an FFL holder.
First, you need to find someone with an FFL who is willing to do the transfer for you.
They will be the one recieving the package. They also have to log the rifle into their log-book.

Most shops these days are charging $30-50 for a transfer--this covers faxing/mailing FFL copy, recieving firearm, log-entry, etc.
I recommend you check the local mom and pop shops first, for the best deal. After that, check with pawn shops. There are a few local to me that will do any transfer for $25. The big shops want $40-50.
One side note here--not all FFL's will accept shipment from a private party--some will only accept if the firearm is shipped from an FFL holder. There is no law regarding this, it is simply the preference of the FFL holder. Some will only accept from a known, licensed, dealer with a background...not a private party. Others may accept from a private party ONLY if there is a copy of their driver's license enclosed. Others just plain don't care as long as it's a legal deal. I guess waht I"m saying is you better double-check with the seller regarding shipping before you set the deal with your FFL holder.
It'd be a shame to set up a deal where the seller ships the rifle by himself, but your FFL denies it because it didn't come from an FFL holder. This is rare, but does happen

Before the seller can ship the rifle, they must have a signed copy of the FFL they are shipping to...So contact your FFL holder and give them the seller's information. They will fax/mail a copy of their FFL to the seller/shipper.

Once all this is done, you just sit back and wait for it to arrive. Your FFL holder will call you and you can do the transfer paperwork and walk away with the rifle.

Whether it comes from a private party or company, there is no sales tax that needs to be paid (assuming it comes from out-of-state).
In-state deals will require sales tax just like any purchase you make at any store, but you pay that sales tax at the time of purchase with the seller--not with your FFL holder who is doing the transfer.
If they try and charge you sales tax, they're just trying to pocket extra $$$ at your expense.

Once you've done it once or twice it's a real breeze. The only real hassle is finding a shop to do the transfer for a reasonable cost. I usually pay via USPS money order and have the FFL faxe or I mail a hard copy along with payment. I can usually get it all done next-day. If buying from a company, I"ll usually pay with a credit card and have the FFL faxed for same-day service.

[carpsniperg2]

  nice right up Bscman. that us very spot on!

[high country]

In WA state:


Whether it comes from a private party or company, there is no sales tax that needs to be paid (assuming it comes from out-of-state).
In-state deals will require sales tax just like any purchase you make at any store, but you pay that sales tax at the time of purchase with the seller--not with your FFL holder who is doing the transfer.
If they try and charge you sales tax, they're just trying to pocket extra $$$ at your expense.

there is law that states recieving dealers in WA shall charge sales tax on the purchase price of the gun, but not the paperwork or shipping.

I had my run in with this a few months back. My ffl has recieved a large number of guns for me and he directed me to not have him recieve it as he would be required to charge me tax......and I know him well

[jackelope]

Once the gun crosses state lines, it is federally regulated interstate commerce...thats why you gotta have a FFL do the transfer.
As a buyer you need to get a copy of the FFL license and send it to the seller. The seller needs to stick that into the package with the gun along with a photocopy of his drivers license. Then they send it to the FFL who will transfer it to you.
The other thing you need to do or remember is to make sure your FFL holder will accept shipment from a private individual. Some do not, then the seller's gonna have to ship it through an FFL holder on the other end, raising the price more.

[87Ford]

I recently ordered a new gun from a dealer in Oregon and fully expect to be paying WA state sales tax to my FFL holder upon completing the transfer...

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

[unluckyjohn]

1, Uberti 44 wcf 30" its never been shot and Im really thinking its time to sell. been keeping an eye on gun broker but nothing like it is selling. bad time for most Im guessing

[h2ofowlr]

You could also go to seattleguns.net and do private party and elimate some yellow paper.

[Wazukie]

I recently ordered a new gun from a dealer in Oregon and fully expect to be paying WA state sales tax to my FFL holder upon completing the transfer...

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

Long guns bought in Oregon dont need an FFL transfer, only handguns.  I believe this is true for Idaho purchases also.  I live on the river and have bought several from Oregon.

[carpsniperg2]

that is correct, but i think he was talking handgun probably. long guns don't need to be done threw a ffl in oregon to come to wa

[h2ofowlr]

He will have to fill out the FFL on both if it is being shipped from a dealer.  Typically long guns you fill out the FFL at the gun shop then leave with it.  A pistol you fill out the FFL at the gun shop then pay a transfer fee and paperwork.  It then has to be transfered to a licensed individual in the state of Washington with a FFL to pick it up.  Private party doesn't require anything unless your feeling uneasy about it.

[jackelope]

I recently ordered a new gun from a dealer in Oregon and fully expect to be paying WA state sales tax to my FFL holder upon completing the transfer...

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

Long guns bought in Oregon dont need an FFL transfer, only handguns.  I believe this is true for Idaho purchases also.  I live on the river and have bought several from Oregon.

that is correct, but i think he was talking handgun probably. long guns don't need to be done threw a ffl in oregon to come to wa

If the gun is crossing state lines, as in an internet transaction...it must be transferred through an FFL, pistol or long gun. It's a Federal Firearms License issue, a Federal issue, it doesn't matter what state you're in.

[87Ford]

If the gun is crossing state lines, as in an internet transaction...it must be transferred through an FFL, pistol or long gun. It's a Federal Firearms License issue, a Federal issue, it doesn't matter what state you're in.

This is true and I confirmed it today with the dealer in Oregon.  By the way, it's a shotgun that I have on order.

Now, whether or not the FFL holder I use collects sales tax at the time of transfer is another matter.  I believe they are supposed to, but not sure they are all complying.  This was posted by a member on Shotgun World...

I am an FFL holder in Washington State.
As a corporation, and as an FFL, we are not legally liable to collect sales tax on any item my company has not itself sold to the public. The State's policy on this matter is in fact illegal and unenforceable.
My goal is to gather as many independent Washington FFL holders together and file against the State whenever they commence in attempting to enforce such an unlawful requirement.
To those FFL holders who have fallen to bended knee to the State, and have commenced to collect sales tax on items you yourself have not sold, I say you are going to make our fight even more difficult.
Please do not bend to the unlawful pressure.
As a group we will win, if and when we have to fight.

[carpsniperg2]

I recently ordered a new gun from a dealer in Oregon and fully expect to be paying WA state sales tax to my FFL holder upon completing the transfer...

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

Long guns bought in Oregon dont need an FFL transfer, only handguns.  I believe this is true for Idaho purchases also.  I live on the river and have bought several from Oregon.

that is correct, but i think he was talking handgun probably. long guns don't need to be done threw a ffl in oregon to come to wa

If the gun is crossing state lines, as in an internet transaction...it must be transferred through an FFL, pistol or long gun. It's a Federal Firearms License issue, a Federal issue, it doesn't matter what state you're in.

but if the gun was ordered into a store and he picked it up and it is a long gun then there is no problem. its only on online stuff not instore pickups. "I recently ordered a new gun from a dealer in Oregon" it did not say he bought it threw the "internet transaction"

[carpsniperg2]

"Long guns bought in Oregon dont need an FFL transfer, only handguns. I live on the river and have bought several from Oregon.

this is what i said was correct. and i know for a fact that it is right. if you buy the gun from a dealer and it is a longgun then there is no transfer needed for you to bring it into washington. a hangun yes but long gun no! internet is a diffrent cookie rules are different.

"If the gun is crossing state lines, as in an internet transaction...it must be transferred through an FFL, pistol or long gun. It's a Federal Firearms License issue, a Federal issue, it doesn't matter what state you're in."

yes that is correct as well if it is a internet transaction then yes instore dealer pickup no ffl transfer needed. i have bought about 15 "long guns" from oregon and they do not need a tranfer to come into washington. i have also bought about 5 off the net threw gunbroker and guns america. and i know that to be the case with internet transactions.

[87Ford]

i have also bought about 5 off the net threw gunbroker and guns america. and i know that to be the case with internet transactions.

Did you have to pay WA state sales tax on your "gunbroker" and "GunsAmerica" purchases when you completed the transfer with your FFL holder?

[cwuwildcat]

i have also bought about 5 off the net threw gunbroker and guns america. and i know that to be the case with internet transactions.

Did you have to pay WA state sales tax on your "gunbroker" and "GunsAmerica" purchases when you completed the transfer with your FFL holder?

Yes.  This is something new that they are starting to enforce.

[jackelope]

"Long guns bought in Oregon dont need an FFL transfer, only handguns. I live on the river and have bought several from Oregon.

this is what i said was correct. and i know for a fact that it is right. if you buy the gun from a dealer and it is a longgun then there is no transfer needed for you to bring it into washington. a hangun yes but long gun no! internet is a diffrent cookie rules are different.

"If the gun is crossing state lines, as in an internet transaction...it must be transferred through an FFL, pistol or long gun. It's a Federal Firearms License issue, a Federal issue, it doesn't matter what state you're in."

yes that is correct as well if it is a internet transaction then yes instore dealer pickup no ffl transfer needed. i have bought about 15 "long guns" from oregon and they do not need a tranfer to come into washington. i have also bought about 5 off the net threw gunbroker and guns america. and i know that to be the case with internet transactions.

That may be the case if you are buying the gun in Oregon, putting it in your truck, then driving back to Washington. If you live in a state and buy a gun from another state and have it sent to you here in your home state, it requires a FFL transfer if  it is a long gun or a hand gun.

[carpsniperg2]

i have also bought about 5 off the net threw gunbroker and guns america. and i know that to be the case with internet transactions.

Did you have to pay WA state sales tax on your "gunbroker" and "GunsAmerica" purchases when you completed the transfer with your FFL holder?

no i have not because of the state they were bought in. paid sales tax on the transfer fee charged but not the gun itself.

[carpsniperg2]

and yes jackelope that is 100% the case. no ffl needed to bring long guns back to wa from or
"That may be the case if you are buying the gun in Oregon, putting it in your truck, then driving back to Washington."

and yes that is correct as well.
"If you live in a state and buy a gun from another state and have it sent to you here in your home state, it requires a FFL transfer if  it is a long gun or a hand gun."

[sticky]

One other thing to consider is that some gun dealers will not transfer a firearm that they commonly stock in their store.  Many are starting to feel the effect out of state competition is having on their business.  I use a local gunsmith, many have an FFL even if they don't sell guns retail.  He charges me $25 and I bring him a bottle for the trouble.

[87Ford]

Has he started collecting "use tax" from you on interstate transfers?

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx