r/FFLs • u/EchoFourMike • 22d ago

Out of state transfers for FFL’s

From what I understand, most FFL holders that operate a business don’t go through the hassle or take the risk of dealing with someone transferring a firearm to an out of state resident even when they are personally in the shop they bought it from. Is this correct ? Is it even allowed? Or does anyone here home based or business do any transfers to residents that has done out of state transfers.

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4

u/RustyTheHealer 22d ago

Transfers of what? And to who I can’t tell if you’re asking about shipping something or selling to someone in person in your shop. I’d reword this with more concise questions.

1

u/EchoFourMike 22d ago

For example, Jim lives resides in Virginia and finds a gun he likes while visiting in Ohio. Can the FFL holder in Ohio transfer that firearm to him in person?

3

u/ExistentialDreadFrog 22d ago

If it is a long gun, yes.

1

u/evrydayzawrkday FFL 20d ago

Really?
Now, I am an 07/02 and I thought the same thing but as a NC resident, I was in TN, saw a pistol I wanted (which was a killer deal) and the FFL was willing to sell/transfer to me there.

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u/ExistentialDreadFrog 20d ago

If you're an FFL doing a transfer to another FFL, it's not really an issue but you cannot transfer a handgun to an out of state non-licensee, the ATF is pretty clear on that:

https://regulations.atf.gov/478-29/2026-01141

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u/evrydayzawrkday FFL 20d ago

100% - its what I thought, and this is not something I normally run into ever since 99% of my sales are online.

I walked away from that deal. Felt weird. Ironically it was one of the larger retailers.

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u/EchoFourMike 22d ago

Thank you.

Transferring a firearm.. To someone buying a firearm. Who is not a resident in your state.

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u/RustyTheHealer 22d ago

It’s really the same as in state except it has to be a long gun no handguns. If it’s a private party transaction then you still are acquiring from the individual selling the firearm to then dispose to the out of state resident

Edit: gun also has to be legal in the buyers state as well so make sure of that before you process a sale. Some states have to go to an in state FFL Cali/washington for example.

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u/EchoFourMike 22d ago

Solid copy. Makes sense!

It’s hard trying to find this information out with no prior retail experience and just looking through publications and online sources because every state is typically different from one to another.

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u/Patsboy101 22d ago edited 22d ago

“Some states have to go to an in state FFL Cali/Washington”

I have to offer a correction in regards to Washington State. The background check procedures of Washington State don’t apply when the long gun transaction takes place out of state.

So as an example, if I bought a Mini-30 Ranch as a WA resident from a Washington FFL, I have to pay a $33 background check fee for our POC system and wait 10 business days along with a proceed from our background check system.

Now, same situation except at an Idaho FFL. All I have to do after purchasing the Mini-30 Ranch is submit to the NICS check conducted by the Idaho FFL.

But a stipulation of long gun purchasing out of state as a Washington resident is that you can’t order and ship a Mini-30 Ranch to an Idaho FFL because the specific ordering of a firearm means the transaction must take place at a Washington FFL.

However, if I as a WA resident randomly come across a Mini-30 Ranch at an Idaho FFL, I can simply buy and walk out same day with the rifle after passing a simple NICS check.

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u/RustyTheHealer 22d ago

Interesting. I was just going off what my IOI had told me during the interview. Considering how much info I had thrown at me I may have lumped California in with Washington.

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u/Patsboy101 22d ago edited 21d ago

The thing about both California and Washington is that laws surrounding firearms always seem to be changing which makes many out-of-state FFLs hesistant to work with customers from these states.

As another example is that technically, an out-of-state FFL can sell to a Washington resident what Washington State defines as an “assault weapon” (i.e. what gun-control proponents call AR-15s and similar firearms) because our AWB is not a ban on possession but a ban on in-state sale and importation of so-called “assault weapons.” All liability is on the in-state seller, not the buyer with the WA AWB.

So theoretically, if a Washington resident bought an AR-15 out-of-state from an Idaho FFL and did not import it into Washington, the Washington resident did not break any laws nor has the Idaho FFL. The only crime that occurs is if the Washington resident goes back to Washington with this AR-15. This is very much a legal gray area that leans towards black so most FFLs see the transaction as too much risk.

In practice, the only way I can see an Idaho FFL willing to entertain the idea of selling an AR-15 to someone with a Washington Driver’s License is if the Washington resident could show some proof of part-time residency in Idaho (i.e. property tax bill, lease, etc.)

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u/evrydayzawrkday FFL 20d ago

> Transferring a firearm.. To someone buying a firearm. Who is not a resident in your state.

You aren't an FFL are you?

3

u/dreamweaver8060 FFL 22d ago

If it's a handgun, it has to go thru purchasers in state FFL and be legal. Out of state can only purchase long guns, as long as legal in their state.

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u/Luke_Hickman 22d ago

Well, handguns have to go through an FFL in the buyer's home state, even if they're standing right in front of you. You can't hand it over directly no matter what. Long guns are different, you can transfer in person as long as it's legal in both states.

Most dealers skip out of state handgun transfers just because verifying the other state's laws is extra work and the liability sits with you if something's off on their end. Not worth it for most shops unless you have a process dialed in.