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One of the biggest questions we receive is how to purchase a gun online. With the advent of new federal requirements, it is definitely not your average push-button sale and ship, but it can be one of the safest online transactions especially when dealing with a registered FFL Dealer and when purchasing new firearms. Here are some of the basic questions we are asked and our best answers. 1. Can a gun be shipped to my home? By Federal Law, all firearms must be shipped to a licensed dealer in order perform a background check before the purchaser can take possession of the firearm. The acceptations to this law are muzzleloaders, non-firing replicas, and some curios. 2. Do I have to have a background check in order to purchase? Any firearm purchased through a licensed dealer is subject to a background check with some acceptations. 3. Is there a waiting period? Technically there isn't a federal waiting period as the National Instant Check System is supposed to be, well, instantaneous. However, if the check does not go through, it may take up to 3 days for approval to be reached. 4. What if I send you money but you don't send me the gun? Buying a new gun from dealer is the safest transaction you can make. Every gun must be recorded both when it enters the shop and when it leaves the shop. It must be shipped to a licensed dealer. The shipping dealer must maintain proof of where the gun was sent for 20 years. If you do not receive a gun, you may file a complaint with the ATF. They will check all records. If the dealer can't tell you where the gun went then they are in more trouble than they know what to do with. 5. How do you know which dealer to send it to? This is usually a requirement of the purchaser. Before we send the gun, we must have a verified hard copy of an FFL license signed in ink. We can no longer accept faxes. As a purchaser, you choose which local dealer you would like make the transaction through. 6. Which carrier do you use? We prefer to use FEDEX. We seem to get the most reasonable prices and best service from them. 7. Why is it so expensive to ship a handgun? Handguns are victims of yet another federal requirement. They are no longer allowed to be shipped via ground. They must be shipped by Overnight Priority. This has tripled the expense. 8. What happens if it is lost in transit? All firearms are insured with FEDEX for safe delivery. If you gun does not arrive, we file a claim with FEDEX and the ATF for a stolen firearm. It usually takes a couple of days for them to determine if the gun is truly missing. If it is determined the firearm was stolen in transit. We will send a new gun immediately if it is available or a refund. We will then further pursue the claim with FEDEX. 9. When do I have to pay sales tax? We are based in Washington State therefore only people residing in Washington are subject to paying sales tax (currently 8%). We do not charge sales tax for interstate shipments. Please note, in most states, sales tax is charged on the amount of money you spend IN STATE. I have heard of some transfer dealers attempting to charge sales tax on the VALUE of the firearm. In most cases, this is illegal. The only thing they are allowed to charge tax on is the fee for the transfer. I suggest checking with your state legislature before paying any addition taxes on out of state purchases.
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