If you’re new to the firearm industry you’ve probably come across the term FFL transfer. And you’re likely wondering what does that even mean and is it applicable to me.
In this post I’ll cover:
Table of Contents
- What does FFL mean?
- What is an FFL transfer?
- Why is an FFL Transfer needed?
- When is an FFL Transfer Needed?
- The Exception
- FFL Transfer Process
- What are the benefits of doing an FFL transfer?
- How much is an FFL transfer fee?
- What gun parts require an FFL transfer?
What does FFL mean?
Let’s first understand what FFL means.
FFL is an acronym that stands for Federal Firearms License. These licenses are issued and regulated by the ATF, which is another acronym that stands for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. FFLs can be issued to both individuals and businesses.
What is an FFL transfer?
An FFL transfer is the transfer of a firearm from one FFL holder to another FFL holder, or to a customer or person (a non FFL). FFL transfers are generally conducted between licensed gun dealers, or between a dealer and an individual.
Why is an FFL Transfer needed?
In a nutshell an it’s needed for record keeping purposes, so that there is a record of the transaction.
The ATF requires that all FFL holders keep records of all firearms transfers. The information on record includes: the name, address and date of birth of the buyer, the make, model and serial number of the firearm, and the date of the transfer. FFL holders are permitted to keep these records in either physical or digital form.
When is an FFL Transfer Needed?
An FFL transfer is needed when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer in the same state as the buyer’s state of residence or a different state.
And, in case you are wondering if it’s legal to purchase a firearm from an online dealer, yes you can legally purchase a firearm from a licensed online gun broker or dealer.
If you personally own a firearm and you want to gift, sell, loan your firearm to a person that resides in the same state as you, and it is not required.
That said, it is important to be sure the person you want to gift, sell, loan your firearm to is not prohibited from possessing firearms.
Tip: If you are purchasing a firearm from a private party, we encourage you to have a gun check performed through your local dealer to ensure the gun has a clean serial record and hasn’t been used in a crime.
An FFL transfer is required if you gift or sell your firearm to a person that resides in a different state than you.
* FFL transfer is not required under Federal Law. However, you should always check with your State Attorney General’s Office for your state and local requirements and restrictions.
The Exceptions:
As we learned above, for the most part most guns need to be transferred using an FFL licensee. However, there are some circumstances where an FFL might not be required.
For example, if you are at a gun shop or a gun show, in a different state than where you reside, and you purchase a bolt action, lever action, pump, single shot or shotgun an FFL might not be required.
That said, err on the side of safety and always check with your local FFL prior to purchasing any firearms for a full understanding of the requirements.
All semi-auto guns, purchased from a dealer (FFL holder), that are transferred from a seller to a buyer that resides in a different state from where the gun is being purchased, must be transferred to an FFL holder in the buyer’s state of residence. The FFL holder in the buyer’s state will perform the background check. The buyer is responsible for all transactional fees of the transfer in addition to the background check.
What are the benefits of doing an FFL transfer?
Many…
First, it allows you to ship firearms across state lines without having to go through a licensed dealer in each state.
Second, it allows you to transfer firearms to friends and family members who live in different states.
Third, it allows you to buy and sell firearms through some private sales without having to go through a background check each time.
And lastly, it allows you to buy and sell firearms without having to pay a separate transfer fee. The transfer fee is usually included in the cost of the FFL transfer.
How much is an FFL transfer fee?
This leads us to the question of what is the average cost for the transfer fee?
The costs can vary as there is no standard set fee. It can vary depending on the specific regulations of the state in which the transfer is taking place, and the amount charged will vary from dealer to dealer. That said, a general range for an FFL transfer fee is typically between $25 and $75.
What gun parts require an FFL transfer?
What if you’re not selling an entire gun, but rather you’re selling parts of a gun?
When looking to purchase firearm accessories, it is important to know which parts of the gun need to go through an FFL and which do not.
As a rule of thumb, if the part is serialized, meaning the manufacturer has stamped a serial number on the part during the manufacturing process, then that part must be transferred using an FFL.
Components such as silencers or suppressors and short-barreled rifles are also regulated and must be transferred through an FFL.
The ATF has determined what is regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). We encourage you to check out the ATFs site directly to learn more about the firearms that are regulated under the NFA.
Whether you’re a newbie to the firearm industry or a seasoned pro, FFL transfers are pretty easy and can make your transaction a bit more safe and secure.
After you’ve made your purchase, and you’re looking for some great ranges to practice your new firearm at, then go check out our list of ranges HERE throughout USA.
Happy Shooting!