Can I Buy A Gun Online?
Online Firearm Purchase Guide
Can I Buy A Gun Online?
The purchase starts online, but the legal transfer happens in person. This updated guide explains how an FFL transfer works, what to verify before ordering, and what to expect when you pick up the firearm.
Updated July 17, 2026
The essential answer: A standard Beretta Gallery online firearm order is not shipped to your home. You select a valid Federal Firearms Licensee, or FFL, and the firearm is shipped to that dealer. After the dealer receives and checks it into inventory, you appear in person, verify your identity, complete ATF Form 4473, undergo the required federal or state background check, satisfy any additional state and local requirements, and accept the firearm only after the transfer is approved.
Can You Legally Buy a Gun Online?
Yes. Federal law permits an online firearm sale when the firearm is transferred through the licensed-dealer system and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements are met. The online checkout and the legal transfer are two different events: the website handles product selection, payment, and shipment, while the receiving FFL handles the in-person transfer to the buyer.
For an interstate sale, federal rules generally require the selling dealer to ship the firearm to an FFL who can lawfully complete the transfer for the purchaser. Beretta Gallery's current policy is simpler still: every firearm order is shipped to the valid FFL selected by the customer, not to the customer's residential address. The receiving dealer then becomes responsible for the identity check, ATF paperwork, background check, and any state-specific transfer procedures.
Confirm eligibility and product legality
Before ordering, confirm that you may lawfully receive the exact model and configuration where the transfer will occur.
Select the firearm
Review the model, caliber or gauge, barrel length, capacity, included accessories, and the seller's firearm return terms.
Choose a receiving FFL
Use the dealer selector, then confirm that the dealer accepts the transfer, can receive that firearm, and has explained its fees and pickup process.
Complete the online order
The retailer verifies the receiving dealer's license information and ships the firearm to the licensed premises.
Visit after the dealer calls
Allow the FFL to receive and log the firearm. Bring the required identification, permits, and payment for dealer-imposed fees.
Complete the legal transfer
Inspect the firearm, complete Form 4473 truthfully, undergo the background check, satisfy any waiting period, and take possession only when authorized.
What Is an FFL Transfer?
An FFL transfer is the regulated handoff from a licensed dealer to the person who will legally receive the firearm. In a typical online gun purchase, the online retailer ships the firearm dealer-to-dealer. The receiving FFL records the firearm in its inventory, verifies the buyer's identity, obtains the required ATF Form 4473, initiates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System check or the applicable state point-of-contact check, and releases the firearm only when the transfer may lawfully proceed.
This separation matters because paying online does not by itself give the customer legal possession. The firearm remains with the receiving dealer until the transfer requirements have been completed.
| Party | Primary responsibilities | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Online retailer | Processes the order, confirms receiving-FFL information, and ships the firearm to the licensed premises. | Exact model and configuration, order terms, shipment policy, and contact information. |
| Receiving FFL | Receives and records the firearm, checks identification, completes transfer paperwork, runs the required background check, and applies state and local rules. | Transfer acceptance, fee, hours or appointment policy, required documents, and whether the dealer can transfer the selected firearm. |
| Buyer or transferee | Selects the FFL, provides accurate information, appears in person, completes Form 4473 truthfully, pays applicable dealer fees, and accepts the firearm only after approval. | Eligibility, current address, permits or safety credentials, product legality, and the seller's no-return point. |
Choose the Receiving FFL Before You Place the Order
The smoothest online firearm purchase begins with a short call to the receiving dealer. A license can be valid while the dealer is still unwilling or unable to accept a particular transfer. Dealers also set their own transfer fees, pickup hours, appointment practices, and policies for firearms that do not comply with local law.
Beretta Gallery currently requires customers to select a valid dealer for firearm orders. The site's dealer tool allows the customer to search by ZIP code, and the firearm shipping policy requires the selected dealer's license information to be provided as requested. Confirm the dealer before checkout rather than assuming that every listed FFL accepts every shipment.
| Confirm | Why it matters | Best time to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Will you accept this incoming transfer? | Some dealers limit transfers by seller, firearm type, model, or customer status. | Before placing the order. |
| What is the total transfer fee? | The receiving dealer's fee is commonly separate from the online price, shipping, taxes, and government charges. | Before checkout. |
| Is an appointment required? | The carrier's delivery notice does not mean the firearm has been logged and is ready for transfer. | Before ordering and again after the dealer contacts you. |
| What identification or permits are required? | State law may require a purchase permit, safety certificate, license, waiting period, or additional documentation. | Before ordering. |
| Is the exact configuration transferable here? | Model rosters, magazine limits, semiautomatic-feature rules, and local ordinances can affect legality. | Before payment. |
What Happens When You Pick Up the Firearm?
Wait for the receiving FFL to tell you that the firearm has been checked in and is ready. At pickup, bring valid government-issued photo identification showing your current residence address, along with any state-required permit, license, or safety credential. When the address or legal name on the photo ID is not current, ATF rules may require supplemental government-issued documentation, so resolve that issue with the dealer before arriving.
Inspect the firearm before accepting the transfer. Confirm the manufacturer, model, caliber or gauge, barrel length, finish, included magazines or accessories, and visible condition. You will then complete the current ATF Form 4473 as the actual transferee or buyer. The FFL submits the required information to NICS or the designated state agency, which may return a proceed, delayed, or denied response. A state waiting period or permit rule may add another step even after the background-check response.
Federal Minimum Ages and Eligibility
The old shorthand—“18 for long guns, 21 for handguns”—is useful only when its scope is clear. These are the federal minimum ages for transfers by an FFL. State or local law may require a higher age, and firearms classified as something other than a complete rifle or shotgun are generally subject to the 21-year minimum at a licensed dealer.
| Firearm category | Federal minimum age | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Complete rifle or shotgun | 18 | State and local law may impose a higher age or additional permit requirements. |
| Handgun | 21 | The 21-year minimum applies to an FFL's sale or delivery of a handgun. |
| Frame, receiver, or other firearm | 21 | Federal law treats firearms that are not complete rifles or shotguns differently for minimum-age purposes. |
Eligibility is broader and more fact-specific than age. The current Form 4473 addresses federal prohibitions, actual-buyer status, residence, citizenship and immigration questions, and other disqualifying circumstances. Simplified statements such as “only citizens and permanent residents may buy” are not reliable because federal immigration-status rules include additional categories and exceptions. The receiving FFL must apply the current form and current law to the individual transaction.
Federal procedures also require enhanced review for certain buyers under 21. Current ATF Form 4473 guidance states that a waiting period of up to 10 days may apply when NICS notifies the dealer that additional time is needed to investigate a potentially disqualifying juvenile record.
Why State and Local Rules Must Be Checked at the Time of Purchase
There is no durable one-page chart of every state's firearm rules. Waiting periods, purchase permits, magazine limits, model rosters, semiautomatic-feature restrictions, purchase-frequency rules, registration requirements, and local ordinances can change through legislation, court orders, and agency guidance. A fixed table can become misleading even when it was accurate on the day it was published.
The better approach is to verify the exact firearm and the exact transfer location at the time of order. The receiving FFL should be the first operational check. The ATF's State Laws and Published Ordinances collection and the relevant state attorney general or state police website provide official starting points, but neither replaces advice from a qualified attorney when a legal question is disputed or unclear.
| Issue | Possible effect | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Permit, license, or safety credential | May be required before purchase, before background check, or before release. | Receiving FFL and the official state licensing authority. |
| Waiting period | May delay delivery after purchase or after the transfer paperwork begins. | Receiving FFL and current state statute or agency guidance. |
| Model, feature, or magazine restrictions | May make the firearm, included magazine, or a particular configuration non-transferable. | Receiving FFL and the state or local authority responsible for firearm regulation. |
| Background-check system | A state may act as the point of contact instead of relying only on an FBI NICS response. | Receiving FFL and the relevant state agency. |
| Purchase limits, registration, taxes, or fees | May add timing, forms, reporting, taxes, or transaction costs. | Receiving FFL and current state and local sources. |
How Long Does It Take to Buy a Gun Online?
There is no single national timeline. The total time is the sum of several stages, and only some are controlled by the online retailer. Selecting an FFL that already accepts the firearm type and promptly provides its license information can prevent avoidable delays.
| Stage | What affects timing | Beretta Gallery or federal note |
|---|---|---|
| FFL verification and order processing | Completeness of dealer information, inventory confirmation, and order review. | The firearm cannot ship until the receiving FFL information is accepted. |
| Carrier transit | Origin, destination, business days, and carrier conditions. | Gallery's current general ground policy states 5–7 business days after a package leaves the store; expedited shipping is not available for firearm purchases. |
| Receiving-dealer intake | Dealer staffing, delivery volume, and inventory-entry procedures. | Wait for the FFL's ready-for-pickup notice rather than relying only on carrier tracking. |
| Background check | A proceed may be prompt, while a delayed transaction requires additional review. | NICS or the state point-of-contact agency communicates the status to the FFL. |
| Additional legal waiting time | State waiting periods, permit processing, and enhanced under-21 review. | Current federal procedures can add up to 10 days for certain under-21 transactions. |
Inspect the Firearm Before the Transfer Is Completed
Beretta Gallery's current FAQ tells customers to inspect the firearm at the receiving FFL before accepting it. Once the government transfer process is completed and the customer takes possession, Beretta Gallery does not accept a firearm return. That makes the pre-transfer inspection the buyer's most important quality-control moment.
If the shipment contains the wrong model, appears damaged, or does not match the order, stop before accepting the transfer and contact Beretta Gallery. Do not assume that a manufacturer warranty or later service request will function like a retailer return.
What Happens if the Background Check Is Delayed or Denied?
A delayed response is not the same as a denial. It means the FBI or state point-of-contact agency needs more time or information. The receiving FFL must follow the instructions associated with that transaction, its own lawful transfer policy, and any state requirements. Buyers under 21 may receive an additional delay under the enhanced-review procedures described on the current Form 4473.
A denied response means the firearm cannot be transferred. If you believe the denial is incorrect, ask the FFL for the NICS Transaction Number or State Transaction Number associated with the check. The FBI provides a formal process to request the reason for a denial and to challenge a NICS decision; a state point-of-contact agency may also have its own review process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Gun Online
Can a firearm purchased from Beretta Gallery be shipped to my home?
No. Under Beretta Gallery's standard online process, firearms are shipped only to the valid receiving FFL selected for the order. The FFL completes the in-person legal transfer.
When does the background check happen?
The receiving FFL initiates the required background check as part of the transfer process, generally after the firearm has arrived and you appear to complete Form 4473. The online checkout is not the background check.
Can someone else pick up my online firearm order?
A different person cannot simply collect a firearm ordered for you. The FFL must identify the lawful actual transferee or buyer and complete the required paperwork with that person. Contact the retailer and FFL before ordering a bona fide gift.
Can I select any FFL?
The dealer must have a valid license, be willing to accept the shipment, and be legally able to transfer the selected firearm to you. Confirm acceptance, fees, documents, and product legality before checkout.
What should I bring to the FFL?
Bring valid government-issued photo identification showing your current residence address, any state-required permit or safety credential, and payment for the receiving dealer's fees. Ask the dealer in advance if additional government documentation is needed.
Do I need a permit to buy a gun online?
Federal law does not create one universal purchase permit, but some states and localities require permits, licenses, safety certificates, or training documentation. The receiving FFL can tell you what is required for that transfer location.
Is the FFL transfer fee included in the online price?
Do not assume it is included. Receiving dealers commonly set and collect their own transfer fees, and government charges or firearm taxes may also apply. Confirm the total with the FFL before ordering.
Can I return the firearm after I complete the transfer?
Beretta Gallery's current policy does not allow firearm returns after the customer completes the transfer and accepts possession. Inspect the firearm carefully before the transfer is finalized.
Legal and policy note: This article covers the standard retail purchase of a non-NFA firearm and is general information, not legal advice. Laws and agency procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with the receiving FFL and the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities before ordering.
Official references reviewed July 17, 2026: ATF minimum-age guidance, current Form 4473 revisions, ATF state-law publications, FBI NICS guidance, FBI denial and challenge guidance, Beretta Gallery shipping policy, and Beretta Gallery FAQ.
Start With the Firearm—and the Right FFL
Review the exact firearm, confirm your receiving dealer before checkout, and use Beretta Gallery support when a transfer question needs clarification.