In the United States modern firearms must be shipped to a holder of a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL). Finding a holder of a valid FFL can sometimes be challenging depending on where you live, what firearm you're trying to transfer, and what you may or may not know about firearms rules, laws, and regulations - particularly because they can vary from county-to-county, not just state-to-state. Furthermore, until the creation of the FFL Registry there was no single source for all holders of valid type 01, 02, and 07 FFLs where each holder could manage their listing in a public setting.

This site is dedicated to providing a comprehensive registry of any holder of a valid type 01, 02, or 07 FFL. Our site is regularly updated with data provided directly from the ATF. By registering with the FFL Registry you will have direct access to your listing to enhance it with additional information such as hours of operation, transfer fees, company description, and other contact information.

Joining the FFL Registry is an easy way to get your business additional Web-based visibility to as broad a US audience as possible. Our database is populated using data directly from the ATF and is enhanced by the holders of valid type 01, 02, and 07 FFLs. There can be a slight delay between when you are first assigned your FFL and when it automatically appears in the FFL Registry. If your record is not appearing in our database please register with us. We will get your listing entered as soon as we validate the information entered.

Gun Laws in the United States - by State

Under federal law, new firearms may only be sold by businesses which possess a Federal Firearms License (FFL). FFL dealers are licensed by the federal government and are subject to federal, state and local regulations and may only offer firearms that are legal within the state, county, and city where they operate. Additionally, they must observe all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and rules which may apply to the purchase. If your state requires a waiting period, it is the FFL dealer's responsibility to inform you of its duration and to enforce it. You will be expected to complete all paperwork and pay in full before the waiting period begins.

You will be asked to show legal proof of your identity every time you purchase a firearm. In some states FFL dealers are required to ask the buyer to show additional proof that the buyer is authorized to purchase a firearm. Your FFL Dealer will be able to tell you what identification is required beyond a state issued driver's license or ID card. Some local jurisdictions require buyers to purchase firearms locks, show proof that they own a gun safe, or pass a test before they can buy a gun from an FFL dealer.

The federal paperwork requirements are stringent and strictly regulated. Many FFL dealers will say they're in the paperwork business and not the firearms business. You and the FFL dealer will fill out a Form 4473 (either on paper or electronically). Because the dealer is responsible for keeping this form on file - for decades - he may charge you a fee for filling out paperwork for firearms you have transferred to him on your behalf.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is a federal clearinghouse that the FFL dealer may call during the Form 4473 process. The FFL dealer will receive one of three possible answers from NICS: an approval, a delay, or a deny. Delays do not always result in a denial and the FFL dealer will let you know when/if you can return to finish the purchase. A denial means you are unable to purchase the firearm. If your sale is denied, you will want to find out the reason for it and, if justified, fight to appeal the denial. There may be additional fees for transferring a firearm if the FFL dealer is required to call NICS.

ATF eForm 4473
ATF, in response to the president's Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), Public L. No 105-277, signed in 1999, and requests from the firearms industry, has developed the e-Form 4473 to assist in the proper completion of the Federal Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473).

USPS Regulations for Shipping Firearms

UPS Regulations for Shipping Firearms

FedEx Regulations for Shipping Firearms

The FFL Registry allows you to customize your entry beyond the information automatically provided by the ATF. You can enhance your FFL Registry entry with your Website URL, store hours, transfer fees, company description, and modify the way your contact information is displayed. To do this, please enter the information requested and we will e-mail you login credentials which will allow you to maintain your entry. Registering converts your entry to a [Preferred] listing. These listings appear first in search results and on firearms related sites that utilize our database.

Enter your license number. We only use this information to check against the BATFE database to verify that you are a valid licensee. We do NOT display your complete license number to the public and we do not request that you enter the entire license number to register. Furthermore, your e-mail address will not be displayed in search results. We will only use your e-mail address to periodically remind you to confirm your information.

We only accept type 01, 02, and 07 licenses in our Registry.