: Some states require a Permit to Purchase or a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card (e.g., Illinois or New Jersey) before you can even initiate a sale. 2. Choose a Firearm and a Licensed Dealer
: If you buy online, the seller cannot ship the gun to your house. You must arrange for it to be sent to a local FFL dealer who will facilitate the legal transfer for a fee. 3. Complete the Documentation
: You must answer a series of "yes/no" questions regarding your criminal history and mental health status. Lying on this form is a federal felony. 4. The Background Check Firearms Checks (NICS) - FBI what is the process to buy a gun
: You cannot legally purchase a firearm if you fall into certain categories, such as being a convicted felon, a fugitive, an unlawful user of controlled substances, or having been adjudicated as "mentally defective".
Before beginning, you must ensure you meet federal and state requirements. : Some states require a Permit to Purchase
: You select a firearm from the dealer's inventory.
: You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID that shows your current residential address. You must arrange for it to be sent
All legal commercial firearm sales must go through a , typically a gun store or range.