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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
An FFL transfer is the change in possession of a firearm from a Federal Firearm Licensee (FFL) to another FFL holder or to a customer. If a gun shop (an FFL dealer) ships a firearm to another FFL holder, then the firearm has been “transferred” from one FFL to another. Then sells or transfers the firearm to a customer, then the gun has been “transferred” to the customer by the FFL.
These changes in possession of firearms from FFLs have a special name of “FFL Transfer” because of the various ATF requirements involved – the firearms must be logged in and out of their A&D Book in a prescribed manner and certain paperwork must be completed before the firearm can leave the licensed FFL dealer‘s location.
When it comes to transferring a firearm to a customer, federal background check requirements must be satisfied, a special form must be completed by the customer (the transfer form is called an ATF Form 4473), and certain other requirements must be followed by the FFL conducting the transfer.
If you hear the term “FFL transfer,” know that this involves a certain process in order to get a firearm from an FFL (typically a gun shop). It is very common for a FFL holder to charge a transfer fee. The FFL transfer fee is paid by the customer (the transferee or buyer) to offset the time and paperwork burden of the FFL dealer (the transferor or seller).
Our non-NFA transfer fee starts at $25 per firearm and includes the FDLE background check. The fee for NFA transfers (silencers, short-barreled rifles, etc.) starts at $95.
There are no official FFL transfer forms, your local gun shop may have their own transfer form for you to fill out with your information so that we have your contact information to let you know when you can come and pick up your firearm. Please bring a valid Government issued Florida ID, your concealed carry permit (if you have one), and the FFL information from the shipper or store for the firearm transaction or purchase.
If you purchase a firearm, whether new or used, from an FFL, then it MUST be transferred to you. This includes an online firearm purchase from an FFL retailer. The retailer will need to ship the firearm to your local FFL so that you can have the firearm transferred to you.
Of course, if you are in a gun shop purchasing a firearm from them, the firearm will need to be transferred from that FFL to you. Similarly, if you are picking up someone else’s gun after repair (you are not the person that dropped it off), then the firearm will need to be transferred to you.
The Private Sale “Gun Show” Loophole
If you purchase a firearm from a private citizen (non-FFL), then no FFL transfer is required in the State of Florida. Although this is known as a loophole, it is not, and it doesn’t have to be at a gun show either. Private party sales in the same state, under federal law, do not require an FFL transfer. However, some states require ALL sales to go through an FFL, so make sure you verify from where or to where the sale is being transacted from. Completing a private sale facilitated through an FFL could mitigate any legal ramifications that could stem from misuse of the privately sold firearm.
Shipping Firearms Interstate
If you own a firearm and you want to send it to someone in another state, whether you sold it to them, giving to them, or you’re just letting them borrow the firearm, you MUST ship the firearm to a FFL in their state where they can then go into the gun shop in person and have the FFL transfer the firearm to them. If you’re using a gun dealer to ship the firearm, ask to have the shipping calculated and included in the total fees.
Our firearm shipping rates start at $45 and include insurance, adult signature service, and appropriate shipping methods (air shipping is required for all pistols). NFA item rates are higher and do vary depending on what type of NFA item you’re shipping.
To transfer a gun through an FFL, a specific FFL transfer process must be followed. The firearm recipient/purchaser must be present at the FFL’s licensed location, needs to complete a Form 4473 and satisfy the background check requirements in order to take possession of the firearm.
All FFL transfers in the State of Florida require an FDLE background check to be performed even if you possess a concealed carry license. Background checks could take just a few minutes, but may take a few hours to complete even if you have a valid CCW. If you do not have a CCW, there is a mandatory 5 (business day) waiting period for handgun purchases in Broward County, Florida. Long guns (shotguns and rifles) do not require the 5-day waiting period but do require the approval of an FDLE background check.
If you’d like to sell a firearm to someone, even in your own state, and you prefer to use an FFL for the transfer, you are allowed to do this. This allows you to use a safe meeting location as well as ensures that they meet the background check requirements. Simply coordinate with the FFL, bring the firearm with you to meet the future recipient, and then the FFL will take the gun, log it onto their books, and then conduct an FFL Transfer to the recipient for a fee.
Picking up a firearm from an FFL is easy because they won’t let you leave with it without it being properly transferred.
If you’re buying a gun online or getting a gun shipped to you from someone else in another state (whether they are an individual (non-FFL) or an FFL, then the gun must be shipped to your local FFL where you can then go in and complete the transfer.