Frequently asked questions

When you buy a firearm online or from an out-of-state seller, federal law requires it to ship to a federal firearms licensee (FFL) near you. That dealer receives the firearm, runs your background check, completes the paperwork (Form 4473), and hands it over. The dealer typically charges a transfer fee for this service.

Use the search page — search by dealer name, license number, or by ZIP code with a mile radius. Dealers who have claimed their listing show their fees, hours, and policies; look for the "Accepts transfers" badge.

The dealer's time and paperwork: receiving and logging the firearm, running your background check, and completing the federal transfer record. Fees vary by dealer and item type — NFA items (suppressors, SBRs) usually cost more. Some dealers discount additional items transferred at the same time.

A valid government-issued photo ID at minimum. Your state may require extra documentation (permits, proof of residency). Check the dealer's listing for requirements — some dealers also need you to fill out paperwork in person or speak with them before the firearm ships.

Some items can't be transferred in certain states (magazine capacity limits, threaded barrels, certain configurations), and some dealers have store policies about what they'll accept. Check the restrictions on a dealer's listing before your seller ships — a firearm shipped to a dealer who can't transfer it means extra shipping fees and delays.

The firearm usually has to be re-shipped to another FFL at your expense, which can add days or weeks. Always confirm your receiving dealer accepts transfers — that's exactly what this directory is for.

Yes — claiming and publishing your listing is completely free. No catch: the directory exists so dealers and shippers can verify transfer details without emailing license copies back and forth. See how it works.

Create an account, find your listing by name or license number, and click "Claim this listing." You'll upload a copy of your FFL so our staff can verify you own the license — the document is stored privately and never shown publicly. Once approved, your transfer details go live.

All listing changes are reviewed by our staff before publishing to keep the directory accurate and spam-free. Reviews are typically quick, and you'll get an email when your changes are live.

From your dealer portal you can upload a copy of your FFL — and your SOT if you do NFA work — and choose an access level: let verified dealers download it directly from your listing, or require a request you approve by email. Files are stored privately, only verified dealers and distributors can access them, and every download is logged. SOT uploads track their June expiration year.

Yes — sharing is more fine-grained than all-or-nothing. From the Documents page you can grant specific FFLs standing access to your FFL and/or SOT copy: search by business name, license number, city, or ZIP and pick what to share. The grant works even if your documents are otherwise private, and if that FFL hasn't registered here yet, access starts automatically once they register and verify their listing. Separately, you can check a box on your listing settings to give national distributors automatic access to your FFL/SOT, so distributor shipments don't wait on a request.

Yes. When you share with a specific FFL you choose a duration — 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, 1 year, or indefinite. When a grant expires the dealer loses download access, but they aren't left stranded: your listing offers them a request button, and you can approve the request or renew the grant from your Documents page with one click. You can also revoke any grant at any time.

FFL EZ Check is the ATF's official license verification tool. The "EZ Check This" button on every listing lets shipping dealers verify a license in one click — and shippers should only ship to the address shown there unless they've verified an alternate address directly with you.

Yes. Your listing supports documentation requirements (e.g. "invoice must be included with the shipment", "customer must complete paperwork in person"), your own downloadable transfer form, and item restrictions by firearm type (e.g. "handguns & rifles — magazine capacity over 15 rounds"). These are flagged prominently at the top of your listing.

Yes — a free, read-only REST API exposing published listings. Read the API docs.

Yes. Neither the GCA nor its implementing regulations require firearms be shipped only to the licensed business premises. Therefore, a licensee may lawfully receive firearms at the licensee’s mailing address, storage location, or other address where the licensee intends to ensure safe and secure receipt of the firearms. Read more on the ATF website.

Foundation Member status is our thank-you to the dealers who help build the directory: the first 500 dealers to claim and verify their listing receive it automatically, free. Foundation Members get a permanent 🏛️ badge on their listing and elevated placement in search results — above other verified dealers — for the first year after joining. After that first year, the badge is yours to keep permanently, but result ordering may revert to the standard verified-first ranking. There's nothing to apply for: claim and verify your listing while spots remain and the status is added automatically.

Under the ATF's Licensee EZ Check Verification for Transfers rule (RIN 1140-AA61), a shipping dealer will be able to verify the receiving dealer's license using FFL EZ Check instead of collecting a paper or PDF copy of the FFL before shipping — less faxing and emailing of license copies back and forth. Read the rule in the Federal Register or track it on the ATF's upcoming regulation changes page.

Every listing has a private "See a problem with this listing?" link at the bottom, or use the feedback page.