FFL

Buying a gun online confuses a lot of first-time buyers, and I understand why. There’s a step in the middle of the process that doesn’t exist anywhere else in e-commerce. I’m Lance Rankin, owner and gunsmith at Western Sport in Roanoke, Texas, and we’ve shipped firearms to customers in nearly every state. I’ve seen this process go smoothly thousands of times, and I’ve seen the handful of ways it goes sideways. Here’s how it actually works.

The short version

You order the gun online. We ship it to a licensed dealer (an FFL) near you, never to your front door. You go to that dealer, fill out the ATF Form 4473, pass a background check, and take your firearm home. That’s the whole thing. The details below are what keep it painless.

Step 1: Pick the right firearm, and make sure it’s legal where you live

Get the configuration you actually want: caliber, barrel length, magazine capacity, finish. “Close enough” gets expensive when you’re paying transfer fees twice to fix a mistake.

The part people skip is state law. Some states restrict magazine capacity. Others have “assault weapon” rules that require things like a fixed stock or a pinned muzzle device before a rifle is compliant. Knowing your local laws is ultimately your responsibility, but if you’re not sure whether something we sell is legal in your state, email me before you order. I’d much rather answer a question up front than process a return.

Step 2: Choose a receiving dealer (FFL)

Federal law requires that a firearm purchased online ship to a dealer holding a Federal Firearms License. That dealer receives the gun, logs it into their books, and runs your transfer paperwork. If you’re not sure what an FFL actually is, I wrote a plain-English explanation here: What is an FFL dealer and how does a transfer work?

Call the dealer before you buy. Confirm they’ll accept a transfer for you and ask what they charge. Most shops charge somewhere between $25 and $75 per firearm. At our shop, transfers are $40 plus $10 for the NICS background check, by appointment. If you’re in Texas, I’ve broken down typical costs here: FFL transfer fees in Texas.

Step 3: Place your order and get us the FFL’s license

At checkout, your own name and address go in the billing fields. The receiving dealer’s name and address go in the shipping fields. If you haven’t picked a dealer yet, you can enter your home address to complete the purchase and sort out the dealer afterward. We won’t ship until we have a valid FFL on file.

Then have your dealer send us a copy of their FFL license, referencing your name and order number. Most dealers do this weekly, so it’s routine for them. Once we have the license in hand, your firearm ships promptly. Most in-stock orders go out the same or next business day.

Step 4: The transfer

When the gun arrives, your dealer will contact you. Bring a government-issued ID, fill out the Form 4473, and the dealer runs your background check through NICS. In Texas, a License to Carry holder typically skips the phone-in check entirely. Most approvals come back in minutes, though some get delayed for a few days. That’s federal, not the dealer’s fault.

One tip from years behind the counter: inspect the firearm before you sign the 4473. Check that it’s the right model and configuration. And don’t panic if you see a little residue in the barrel or on the bolt. Nearly every quality manufacturer test-fires guns at the factory before shipping.

Buying in Texas?

If you’re local, the process is even simpler. We offer pickup by appointment at our Roanoke location, just north of Fort Worth. I put together a complete walkthrough for Texas buyers here: How to buy a gun in Texas.

Questions before you order?

Ask. You’ll get an answer from me or someone in my family, not a call center. Reach us at [email protected] or 817-393-4000, or browse the inventory when you’re ready.