Did you know you could purchase firearms online? In fact, yes you can!
While you can make the purchase online, it's not like buying a coffee maker on Amazon and having it shipped right to your front door. Federal law requires firearms be shipped to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in your state of residence. The process goes like this: You’ve been scrolling www.smith-wesson.com and you’ve found the gun for you.
Once you’ve decided, a click of the “BUY NOW” button will prompt you to choose one of our online vendors partners. At checkout, you will input your local FFL and the firearm will ship directly to them at your attention. After the firearm ships and arrives at your FFL they will confirm that it complies with your state and jurisdiction regulations and notify you of its receipt.
When you visit your local FFL to pick up your new gun, you’ll need your driver's license or valid I.D., and permit if required by your state. The USCCA is an excellent resource for information on your states’ permit requirements. Once you have shown these to your FFL, they will give you a Firearm Transaction Record (Form 4473) to complete; they will then submit your 4473 Form to the FBI for a background check. After you pass, and pay a separate nominal FFL transfer fee, the firearm is yours.
Since firearms are regulated purchases, even online purchases become in-store experiences. While shopping online may afford you the ability to order something your local dealer doesn’t have, we still encourage you and especially first-time buyers, to trust the expertise of an in-person dealer experience. Nothing online can compare to being able to touch and feel the firearms you are wanting to purchase to be sure they will work for you.
The beauty of an in-store experience is really the salespeople. They have spent numerous hours behind the counter, have seen a variety of firearms come through the cases and can guide you toward the ideal firearm and caliber for your needs, size, and budget. If your FFL has an on-site range, you can often try before you buy, something you just can't do online…
To find your nearest Smith & Wesson retail partner, visit our Dealer Locator.