Online Firearms FAQ

Is it legal for me to buy a gun online? All Gun Shack online firearms transactions are fully legal and regulated. Federal laws are followed throughout the process. The firearm must be shipped to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Before a gun is released to the buyer the required background checks are done by the local FFL dealer to whom we ship the firearm. 

Can firearms be returned? No, firearms cannot not be returned to Gun Shack. All sales are final. 

What permits do I need to buy a gun? There is no federal permit required to purchase gun but as always you the customer must be fully aware of any local or state regulations regarding firearm licensing that apply to you. In store purchases requires one of the following: a valid TX ID, DL, LTC/CHL, or if you are active duty military, a full and signed copy of your PCS orders, CAC and state-issued ID/DL (NOTE:  We will require both your local residence address as well as your work address...please ensure you have the actual physical street address for your duty section and not your assigned HQ or overall unit).

I live in (heavily restricted state/locality). What process do I need to go through to buy a gun? Your transferring FFL should have all the necessary information regarding the process and legal hurdles in purchasing a firearm in your location. It is highly recommended that you contact the FFL to make any necessary arrangements prior to making a purchase on GunShack.com, as they should have access to any information needed and be able to help you through the process. Transfer fees may be higher in some areas than others because of local regulations. Currently, we do not sell firearms to California, Connecticut, Cook County Illinois, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, or New York.

How old do I have to be to buy a gun? You must be 21 years of age to purchase a handgun or receiver, 18 years of age to purchase a long gun from Gun Shack. 

How do I get the gun? The firearm will be shipped to your FFL dealer. They will conduct a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and any other state or local mandated background checks on you prior to transferring the firearm to you. If your state or local municipality requires additional permits, i.e. - FOID, and/or a waiting period you will have to abide by those requirements. 

Can I have a gun shipped directly to my house? No. Federal law requires individuals to undergo and pass a background check at an FFL dealer. 

What is an FFL? Federal Firearms License. 

Why do I need to find an FFL? The firearm must be shipped to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. 

How do I find a local FFL holder? Go to our "FFL Finder" section and input your zip code. Contact the dealer and discuss the process and fees. If you feel the fees are too high, you can always try another dealer. It is as easy as that! 

Do I have to register my firearm? There is no federal registration process but as always you the customer must be fully aware of any local or state regulations regarding firearm registration that apply to you.  (NOTE:  The state of Texas currently does not require firearm registration)

Can I legally own a gun? In most cases the answer is YES if ALL of the following applies to you: 

You are considered an adult, in most states this age is 18, it is 21 in some. You are legally competent to make decisions. You truthfully answer all the required questions on a Form 4473 AND can pass the Federal NICS or a state background check. 

In order to take legal possession of a firearm, Federal law requires individuals to undergo and pass a background check at the FFL dealer when you pick-up your firearm. 

Who cannot legally own a gun? A person who - Has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year; 

Is a fugitive from justice; 

Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 

Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 

Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States or an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa; 

Has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; 

Having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship; 

Is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner; or

Has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence

Cannot lawfully receive, possess, ship, or transport a firearm. 

A person who is under indictment or information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year cannot lawfully receive a firearm. [18 U.S.C. 922(g) and (n), 27 CFR 478.32] 

Must I have any training to purchase a firearm? There is no federal requirement for any special training but as always you the customer must be fully aware of any local or state regulations regarding firearm purchasing that apply to you. 

What does the FFL do when I go to pick up my firearm? Under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must contact the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) prior to the transfer of a firearm to an unlicensed individual in order to receive information on whether the individual is disqualified by federal or state law from possessing a firearm. FFLs will contact the NICS via either a point of contact (POC) established within their respective state, or the NICS Operation Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dependent on whether the state has POC for the NICS. The background check will be conducted to ascertain if the person attempting to obtain a firearm falls within any of the prohibited categories as outlined in Section 922(g) or (n) of Title 18, United States Code. This only takes a few minutes. 

What is it going to cost to transfer the gun? That will depend on your local FFL dealer that will do the transfer. Remember, your local FFL is operating a business and is doing you a favor. Be considerate of his time.  While some FFL dealers will take transfers from private individuals, keep in mind most FFL dealers will only take transfers from other FFL dealers.  At this time, Gun Shack will accept transfers from private individuals as long as they submit a copy of their valid state-issued ID or DL.

Are there any additional taxes or fees? There may be local or state fees associated with your firearms transfer. Contact your FFL for more information and a breakdown of any additional fees that apply. It is highly recommended that you contact the FFL to make any necessary arrangements prior to purchasing on GunShack.com. 

How is the gun shipped? Handguns will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.  Long guns will be shipped via UPS or FedEx Ground.

How can I safely and legally transport and store my purchased firearm? As always you the customer must be fully aware of any local or state regulations regarding transportation and storage of firearms that apply to you. Laws and regulations can vary widely with the locale. 

How do I know what ammunition works with my firearm? It is always very important to use the correct ammunition in your gun. This information will be provided by the manufacturer and can usually be found in the owner's manual. 

Can I give a firearm I purchase to someone else or can I purchase one as a gift for someone else? Yes, as long as you are not purchasing the firearm as a straw purchase. A straw purchase is defined by federal law as any purchase from a dealer holding a Federal Firearms License where the buyer conducting the transaction is acting as a proxy for another person. As always you the customer must be fully aware of any local or state regulations prohibiting the gifting or transfer of firearms in a manner that may apply to you.

Can I buy more than one gun at a time? Yes! You can buy as many as you want, but you will need to contact your transferring FFL for any transfer fee for each firearm purchased. 

I purchased a firearm, but I cannot pass the background check. Do I get my money back? No. All firearm sales are final and once purchased cannot be returned. It is the responsibility of the customer to know any local restrictions and most importantly if they can pass the NCIS background check or any other requirements in order to take possession of the firearm. Once a firearm has been purchased from us, you are the owner whether or not you are able to take possession of the firearm. Please ensure that it is legal to take possession of the firearm you are purchasing in your jurisdiction. All firearm sales are final and once purchased cannot be returned!