Have you purchased a firearm online, purchasing from a private seller, or moving a gun across state lines? You’ll almost certainly need an FFL transfer. Here at 2C Elite Firearms we are happy to facilitate this for you.
Whether you are purchasing a $100.00 Hi Point or a $20,000 Colt, we will handle your firearm with great care when it arrives. You will never have to worry about your firearm being mishandled as we understand how to properly care for firearms.
Our standard transfer fee is $50.00 plus the $10.00 background fee. Please add $25.00 for each additional firearm during the same transfer.
When Do You Need an FFL Transfer?
You need an FFL transfer any time:
You buy a firearm from an online retailer (Guns.com, GunBroker, Palmetto State Armory, etc.)
You buy a firearm from a private seller in a different state
You purchase from any licensed dealer in another state (the gun ships to your local FFL for pickup)
Some states also require FFL transfers for private party sales within the state — check your state’s firearm transfer and sale requirements
You generally do not need an FFL transfer when:
You buy directly from a local gun store (you’re already at the FFL)
You’re gifting a firearm to an immediate family member within the same state (varies by state)
Step-by-Step: How an FFL Transfer Works
Step 1: Find a Local FFL Dealer
Look no further! You have found one.
Step 2: Get the FFL Dealer’s Transfer Information
Once you’ve confirmed a dealer, get their FFL license copy and shipping address. Most dealers have a standard FFL letter on file they’ll email you or send directly to the seller. The seller needs this to ship the firearm legally.
Never have a firearm shipped to your home address. It must ship to the FFL dealer’s licensed business address.
Step 3: Complete Your Purchase
Buy the firearm from the online retailer or private seller and provide your chosen FFL dealer’s shipping information. The seller handles the shipping — typically via FedEx or UPS for long guns, or via USPS or licensed carrier with proper declarations for handguns.
Step 4: Wait for the Firearm to Arrive at the FFL
The dealer will notify you when the firearm arrives. Arrival time depends on the seller’s shipping method — typically 3–7 business days for domestic shipments.
Step 5: Go to the Dealer and Complete the Transfer
This is where you actually pick up your firearm. Bring:
A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
At the dealer, you’ll:
Fill out ATF Form 4473 — the Firearm Transaction Record. This is a federal form requiring personal information and certifications about your eligibility to own a firearm. Answer honestly; falsifying a 4473 is a federal felony.
Undergo a NICS background check — the dealer calls or connects online to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Most checks return in minutes.
Pay the transfer fee — the dealer’s charge for handling the transfer (see below).
Take possession of your firearm — once the background check clears, you leave with your gun.