If you’ve shopped for a gun online, you’ve probably run into the term “FFL.” It might sound like just more government alphabet soup, but it’s actually one of the most important pieces of the legal firearms puzzle. Whether you’re buying your first pistol or ordering your tenth rifle, understanding how an FFL works—and why you need one—makes the buying process a whole lot easier.
What Does FFL Stand For?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License. It’s issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to individuals or businesses who are legally allowed to engage in the buying, selling, manufacturing, or transferring of firearms.
Gunprime is an FFL. So is your local gun shop. And when you buy a gun online, it has to ship to an FFL near you to complete the transfer. That’s the law. No FFL? No transfer.
Why You Need an FFL for Online Firearm Purchases
Under federal law, all firearms purchased online must be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer in your state. This dealer performs a background check (via Form 4473 and NICS) and ensures the transaction follows all local, state, and federal rules.
Here’s how the process works:
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You buy a firearm on Gunprime.
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During checkout, you select (or enter) your local FFL dealer.
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We ship the gun to that dealer.
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You visit the dealer, complete the background check, and take your firearm home.
It’s simple, secure, and keeps everything legal.
Can You Get Your Own FFL?
Short answer: yes. If you’re planning to run a gun business, start a side hustle in transfers, or even just want to simplify your personal collection (in some cases), getting an FFL can make sense. But it’s not a casual process. The ATF will inspect your home or business, require recordkeeping, and expect full compliance.
For most buyers, though, all you need to do is find a good local FFL to work with—and Gunprime makes that easy with thousands of dealer partners nationwide.
🔍 Buying Online? You’ll Need an FFL.
Don’t worry—we’ll help you every step of the way. Browse firearms at Gunprime.com, and during checkout, just choose your FFL. We’ll ship your new gun fast, and you’ll pick it up locally with no hassle.
Buy smart. Shoot straight.
