I'm watching a Timcast IRL segment from last night, and the resident left of center guy...Ian...says he didn't know that guns purchased online were not mailed to your house (@8:30).
Here's an explaination in case some of you don't understand how an internet retail gun sale works.
First, there are a few rare exceptions to this...like buying a firearm or a replica of a firearm made before 1899 (I believe) and also if the purchaser is also a federal firearm license holder.
But for Joe Blows like you and I...this is how buying a firearm online goes.
You find a gun you like on an online retailer like Bud's Guns.
Why would you need to do this?
Well, if you like strange, novel and totally impractical firearms like I do...your local brick and mortar store isn't likely to carry that kind of thing. Or, if you like super high quality (read super expensive) firearms...most gun stores are not going to have a large selection of those either.
Just like any business, the gun store stocks items that will have the most appeal to the widest cross section of consumers.
But that is the Why...this is the How.
I go online to an internet gun store like budsguns.com and I select something I like...a Bond Arms Protect the 2nd Amendment two shot derringer in 45 Colt...
Buy Bond Arms Protect the 2nd Amendment 357 Magnum 38 Special Revolver Online
Manufacturer Part Number PT2A.357/.38 Item Number GPT2A35738www.budsgunshop.com
(Yeah...I own one of these. Yes, I know it is totally impractical. I warned ya.)
Click BUY.
Buds asks for my credit card number and I complete the PURCHASE part of the order...
...now we go on to SHIPPING...
I am presented with a list of Federal Firearm License (FFL) holders in my area.
Some will be green...meaning their FFL license is already on file with Buds. Others are red...meaning if I want to have my firearm shipped to them, I must contact that FFL holder and have them fax a copy of their license to Buds before shipping can be arranged.
Under no circumstances will an online gun store ship a firearm to a non-FFL.
I choose a gun store from the list. That gun store will be responsible for the transfer of the firearm to me...and they can (and most will) charge a transfer fee of $10-$50+ for the transfer. My gun store used to allow free transfers, but now it's $10 for the transfer or the transfer is free with a purchase of at least $20 in merchandise (who can't use more Pmags?).
Buds arranges the shipping to my FFL and in about a week it arrives and the local gun store notifies me. I go to the gun store with my ID and fill out a background check form (ATF 4473) and the FFL does an online instant approval just as if I was buying the firearm directly from them.
I'll either be approved or declined. I've never been declined...and me and my firearm and my new Pmags go happily on our way.
This is actually a much longer process than simply buying in-stock firearms from my local gun store...which I could complete in a half hour start to finish from choosing a firearm through completing a background check and paying to leaving with my new firearm and no Pmags...cuz I really don't need any more Pmags.
So there you go...purchasing a firearm online explained. Cuz knowing is half the battle...
“Under no circumstances will an online gun store ship a firearm to a non-FFL.”
But a gun can be shipped directly to one’s home when purchased online by an FFL 03 license-holder.
Consequently, the claim is partially true.
That is an out right lie