How to buy a handgun online? (first time)

[areacode201 4]

I am in the market for a second handgun and have never bought "online" before. I think I have the process down but if someone could set me straight I'd appreciate it.

 

1.So I find what I want at the price I want online (I know gunbroker is huge but are there any other good, reliable sites?)

2. I order it online, pay for the gun and shipping to a local FFL

3. I call the local FFL to let them know to expect a handgun coming to transfer to me

4. When it arrives I go to the FFL with ID and P2P in hand, pay the transfer price + NICS

5. Walk out the door with my new pistol

 

 

Do I have the steps right? I would prefer to buy local and help out the "little guy" but cash is a little tight right now and the pistol I'm looking at is going for $500 online (plus $25 shipping) (plus $35 transfer and NICS) so I'm looking at $560 out the door buying online vs. $550 plus 7% sales tax plus $15 for NICS at a LGS so $603 out the door at the lowest local price I could find. If it was a $5 or even $20 difference I'd eat it and help the local guy but $43 is a lot. I suppose I am also helping a local guy by paying them the transfer fee.

[brucin 923]

I can't say for sure but I think the dealer must collect NJ sales tax.

[Gunnz 49]

No sales tax if the firearm is coming from out of state. I just ordered a firearm from Ohio and did not pay sales tax.

[colnar 0]

No, the local shop cannot collect sales tax. The local shop did not sell the gun to you.

[areacode201 4]

The sales tax issue is the primary reason why buying "out of state online" is so much cheaper.  That and there is a LGS near me that does transfers for $35 including NICS.

[Johnny 0]

Your FFL will need to send a copy of his license to whomever you are buying from.

[areacode201 4]

Your FFL will need to send a copy of his license to whomever you are buying from.

 

Thank you. This is exactly the type of thing I am looking out for. I'm sure most FFL's are more than familiar with how to go about doing this,

[Damjan 73]

Thank you. This is exactly the type of thing I am looking out for. I'm sure most FFL's are more than familiar with how to go about doing this,

Some websites have a selection of FFLs that have already submitted their license and you can choose them when checking out.

 

Grabagun.com

Budsgunshop

Aimsurplus

[jm1827 284]

_{And some websights will let you send an electronic copy of the FFL license.  That is what I did when I used Aim, I emailed the FFL and he sent me a PDF of his license which I emailed to Aim, some allow you to attach it to a file when you are placing the ofder.}

[JT Custom Guns 956]

I am in the market for a second handgun and have never bought "online" before. I think I have the process down but if someone could set me straight I'd appreciate it.

 

1.So I find what I want at the price I want online (I know gunbroker is huge but are there any other good, reliable sites?)

2. I order it online, pay for the gun and shipping to a local FFL

3. I call the local FFL to let them know to expect a handgun coming to transfer to me

4. When it arrives I go to the FFL with ID and P2P in hand, pay the transfer price + NICS

5. Walk out the door with my new pistol

 

 

Do I have the steps right? I would prefer to buy local and help out the "little guy" but cash is a little tight right now and the pistol I'm looking at is going for $500 online (plus $25 shipping) (plus $35 transfer and NICS) so I'm looking at $560 out the door buying online vs. $550 plus 7% sales tax plus $15 for NICS at a LGS so $603 out the door at the lowest local price I could find. If it was a $5 or even $20 difference I'd eat it and help the local guy but $43 is a lot. I suppose I am also helping a local guy by paying them the transfer fee.

 

In between steps 2 & 3 when you notify the receiving FFL - he will need the info of what you bought (order number)

and who you bought it from so he can send a copy of his FFL to the shipping dealer before it ships out.

As with some of the major sellers (like Buds) they have many FFL's on file and already have a copy of the receivers paperwork

but just to be sure - always notify your FFL to confirm.

 

Good Luck!

[illy 1]

I know it's not none of my business, but for what's essentially an 8% discount, I pay the extra 40 bucks and go local.

 

Also, some dealers, like OMG Customs in Bayonne, are located in urban enterprise zones, so their sales tax is only 3.5%, bringing the total down to $584 on a $550 gun.

 

Lastly, it might be worth calling/stopping in to the guy doing the transfer for you and asking if he can order that gun. he might be able to get you the same/similar price out the door.

 

Again, not my money and not my business, just a suggestion.

 

Otherwise, you've got the online process down. Good luck.

[PeteF 1,044]

I'd suggest talking to the receiving ffl BEFORE ordering.

Lets him know what will be coming in, when it should be arriving,

 

Lets you find out ahead of time what charges will be, and if he will even do the transfer.

 

No surprises is a good thing.

[areacode201 4]

I know it's not none of my business, but for what's essentially an 8% discount, I pay the extra 40 bucks and go local.

 

Also, some dealers, like OMG Customs in Bayonne, are located in urban enterprise zones, so their sales tax is only 3.5%, bringing the total down to $584 on a $550 gun.

 

Lastly, it might be worth calling/stopping in to the guy doing the transfer for you and asking if he can order that gun. he might be able to get you the same/similar price out the door.

 

Again, not my money and not my business, just a suggestion.

 

Otherwise, you've got the online process down. Good luck.

 

I agree with you. If I had plenty of disposable income I'd always support local. I try to buy American in general as much as possible. In my experience though not all LGS are willing to haggle. I will try what you suggested though. If a LGS can get close enough I'll buy from them.

[RR144 0]

I just purchased a 1911 online about a month ago. You have all the steps right, just a different order. At least in my case, I had to go to the FFL dealer in person, pay upfront, fill out the forms (e.g. who I purchased the gun from, what type of gun, yadda, yadda) then they contact the seller, usually by fax. Then when the gun comes in, the FFL dealer calls you up and you pick it up, after they do a background check. New law went into effect, you no longer have to wait 15 days for the background check. They do it right there. I didn't pay sales tax either.

 

RR

[Socom 19]

Easy

Step 1 buy it

Step 2 ship it to ffl

Step 3 pick up take home

[Golf battery 1,223]

Also dont forget to bring the money you saved with you for ammo. That then completes the transaction.

[Grump 0]

I just purchased my first online gun last week off Gunbroker. I've been looking for a PPK/S and got an amazing Buy It Now deal on a barely used Smith model after not being able to find one anywhere locally. Ron from Legacy Firearms was very helpful in guiding me through the process step by step. I was somewhat overwhelmed by the whole process having never done it before, but it was easy.

 

Here's my story:

After winning the gun, I paid for it by phone and credit card. The seller said he didn't have my FFL's info, I called my FFL to send it to the seller. The seller shipped the gun to my FFL who called me when it arrived. I went to my FFL and walked out with it 10 minutes later. Total time from the end of auction to having my gun was only 5 days, including the weekend.

[njtom 0]

I just picked up a new Sig P226 on Gunbroker from Northern Firearms.  They do a lot of selling on Gunbroker.  Once the exchanges of money and FFL info was completed they sent a UPS tracking number so I knew exactly when to expect the gun.  I used Steve from Monmouth Arms who is a fun guy and a pleasure to deal with.  The rest of the info you have already.  Good luck, enjoy your new toy.

[johnG 0]

alexander,

do you know of any other FFL's in local Westfield /Summit area, (other than the guild) who

can easily do the transfers. I just won my bid on gun brokers yesterday and need to

get with a local dealer to handle the paperwork with me.

Thanks,

JohnG

[carguy3j 0]

I can't say for sure but I think the dealer must collect NJ sales tax.

 

No, the local shop cannot collect sales tax. The local shop did not sell the gun to you.

 

Hmm. Depends on how that transfer is viewed by the taxing authorities. Does your local FFL merely act as your agent in the transfer, or is it technically a case of them receiving/taking ownership of that incoming firearm, then "re-selling" it you when they complete the transfer? Keep in mind, the IRS/NJ Div of Revenue may view it differently, for tax purposes, then the Feds/ATF look at it, for gun law/FFL regs. purposes.

 

 

No sales tax if the firearm is coming from out of state. I just ordered a firearm from Ohio and did not pay sales tax.

 

The sales tax issue is the primary reason why buying "out of state online" is so much cheaper.  That and there is a LGS near me that does transfers for $35 including NICS.

 

 

Technically, this is all true, but its also not..... Just the same as ordering anything else from out of state, whether its guns, books, or blow up dolls (NOT that I would know about that one. - Really, seriously, NO) While the seller may not have to collect out of state sales tax, as the buyer, YOU are technically responsible for reporting any un-taxed purchases at the end of the year, and paying the difference between NJ sales tax, and any actual sales tax you may have paid to another jurisdiction on that purchase- for anything you bring into NJ for use here. AKA, sales AND USE tax. This is what that whole Amazon vs a bunch of states was all about.

 

Now, granted, I doubt very many people actually report and pay this tax, but there is no FFL, NICS, FPID, P2P,etc.... for mail order auto parts, or that vintage Hummel figurine you just had to have off ebay. Interstate firearms sales are heavily monitored/regulated/recorded with a clear paper trail. I'm surprised "they" haven't already gone after the interstate gun market, to collect un-reported sales/use taxes. It would be one of the easiest e-commerce segments to do this to, because of all the documentation. Don''t get me wrong. I hope they don't, and it continues to fly under the radar. But, just to be clear, internet sales are not "tax exempt"; its just easy, and common place to dodge the taxes.

[JT Custom Guns 956]

I would also like to point out a few things related to Buying on-lin vs a local dealer

that some may not realize.

 

1) Buds guns (for example) is notorious for listing a gun at an advertised price, but if you look

    closely at their web page - you will see that it is a CASH price and the price for cc is higher.

    Now I realize that sometimes even the higher (cc) price is lower than some dealers but you still

    need to figure in freight (if any) and the transfer fee.

 

2) Some on-line sellers post up 'Specials" and sell direct to customer even thought they have established

    dealers (Palmetto State Armory is a VG example). Well I can tell you that some of their 'Specials" that have

    come through my shop have been seconds, blems, ect.

    I recently has a AR come through from PSA and I asked them why they list "Specials" when they sell through 

    Distributors, and I was told they sell "overruns". That doesn't even make sense to me because id they are selling

    wholesale to their distributors, overruns wouldn't apply. But based on the quality of the rifle that cam in - I believe

    over runs is another word for seconds.

 

3) When buying on-line you don't get that one on One Relationship with a dealer who should be working to earn your 

     business and your respect.  Now I do realize some customers are super savy on the particular gun they are buying

    and don't need any instructions or training on the gun they purchase, but many do and you don't get THAT when you

    buy on-line.

 

In summation - Everyone is trying to save a buck, and searching on-line is inevitable; and many time you will dealers who

are not willing to negotiate - but some will and it is always best to a least check with your dealer before making a final decision.

I can't tell you how many times I have had a transfer come through my shop and said "I wish you would have checked with me

because I could have got you this same gun CHEAPER" and had the customer say "Sorry, I should have called you". 

A lesson learned....................

 

Just my two cents - got change?

[rich r 0]

If I buy a 2nd handgun online and out-of-state (2 pistol permits) , and it's shipped to an FFL, even though my 30 day wait period has not expired yet,,,,can I pick up the gun after 32 days from the FFL??? 

Thanks!

[Damjan 73]

If I buy a 2nd handgun online and out-of-state (2 pistol permits) , and it's shipped to an FFL, even though my 30 day wait period has not expired yet,,,,can I pick up the gun after 32 days from the FFL??? 

Thanks!

Most FFLs will work with you on this. I ve done it many times.

Ask your FFL if he will hold the gun for you until the OGAM period is over.

 

Talk to John at Americana. He is in Milford,NJ and will hold the gun for you.

 

http://americanatactical.com/

[rich r 0]

Thanks! I know John. He's a great guy!

[DirtyDigz 1,810]

...Then when the gun comes in, the FFL dealer calls you up and you pick it up, after they do a background check. New law went into effect, you no longer have to wait 15 days for the background check. They do it right there. I didn't pay sales tax either.

 

RR

 

Nitpicking - there never was a law that specified you had to wait 15 days for a NICS check.  The 15 day or longer wait was a result of temporary process problem; when it was fixed (thank you NJ2AS) the background checks went back to being nearly instant like they had been previously.

[gleninjersey 2,139]

I would second the idea of asking the FFL that you are considering using if they can get the gun fir you and for what price. If you know exactly what you want they may either have it available or be able to get it quickly for you.

 

If you do use Gunbroker, set a limit and don't pay over that amount unless it is a very hard to find gun and you are willing to pay a premium.

 

Good luck.