Few questions about transferring firearm to another person via FFL

[D-Day]

So, I've been thinking about gifting a firearm to a friend of mine in another state. Now, I know it has to go through an FFL, that's not in question.

My question is, if I find a local to me FFL to ship it to a local-to-them FFL, what's the general process? Obviously contacting both shops and arranging this is all necessary in beforehand, but say when the gun is shipped to the out of state FFL for my friend to pick up, does the gun shop take note of who is supposed to pick it up? When you have it transferred, just tell them the name of the person who is to pick it up, and from you? Just a reserve name, or...? How do they know the right person is picking it up? Probably a stupid question, but I'm curious.

I'd just gone to or called the FFL's in question on this, but I picked the wrong day to have this idea (Saturday), so I figure I'd just ask anyway.

 

[ants]

You may want to look into this at the atf.gov web site:

A person may sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his State, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law. A person may loan or rent a firearm to a resident of any State for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law. A person may sell or transfer a firearm to a licensee in any State. However, a firearm other than a curio or relic may not be transferred interstate to a licensed collector.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(d), 27 CFR 478.29 and 478.30]

I added the bold myself. A licensee is an FFL.

You don't necessarily need to pay your local FFL to ship it to your friend's FFL. It appears that you can send the firearm directly to your friend's FFL in another state. Then you can include instructions on the identity of the exact person to receive the transfer. It would be best to do more research at reliable sources to learn more about it.

Make sure your friend is lawfully able to possess the firearm in his state.

 

[jakk280rem]

what ants said is correct; however, some dealers still won't accept transfers from non-dealers. the shipping of a long gun can be done relitively cheap through the us mail. handguns, require the use of more expensive means, and oftentimes your local dealer can ship it cheaper. there are several online ffl dealer finders. here is one from gunbroker. i believe brownells, and midway usa also have there own. another option would be to look up gun and pawnshops in his area in the phone book. question you would want the answer to are:

do you accept transfers from non-dealers?
how much is the background check fee?
is there a transfer fee, if so, how much?

 

[ants]

Good advice, jakk.

Ask all the questions. Especially their personal policies, their fees, their shipping costs, and their markups.

 

[D-Day]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably have my local FFL ship it, just to save hassle at FedEx or UPS/whatever. More official that way, anyway.

Here's another question...I've thought about visiting them when I have it transferred down there, so I can be with them when they pick it up.

I know there will be a transfer fee when they do the 4473 and such, which leads me to this question, can I pay the fee for 'em? Like I said, it's a gift so I'd like to pay for as much of it as possible. Is this frowned upon? It's not like I'm asking them to buy it for me; I'm just giving them the handgun and paying for the fee for the legal transfer. Should I skip that? I don't wanna screw up unintentionally.

 

[mnrivrat]

I know there will be a transfer fee when they do the 4473 and such, which leads me to this question, can I pay the fee for 'em? Like I said, it's a gift so I'd like to pay for as much of it as possible. Is this frowned upon?

You can make contact with the receiving FFL and arrange to pay his fee's on the gun. That way your friend would only have to take care of the paperwork for the transfer.

 

[brboyer]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably have my local FFL ship it, just to save hassle at FedEx or UPS/whatever. More official that way, anyway.

Here's another question...I've thought about visiting them when I have it transferred down there, so I can be with them when they pick it up.

I know there will be a transfer fee when they do the 4473 and such, which leads me to this question, can I pay the fee for 'em? Like I said, it's a gift so I'd like to pay for as much of it as possible. Is this frowned upon? It's not like I'm asking them to buy it for me; I'm just giving them the handgun and paying for the fee for the legal transfer. Should I skip that? I don't wanna screw up unintentionally.

Why not just box it up. Lock it in the trunk and drive it to your buddy's house (if legal in his state), then the both of you go to his local FFL and do the transfer? If the FFL will accept it from you that is.

Oh and just give your buddy the money before you go in the shop or after you get out, just to make sure things do not look fishy to the FFL.

 

[D-Day]

Nahh. There's not as much of a surprise that way. I wanna be more nonchalant about it than that. Just go into the shop, be like hey, look at at this...etc.

By the way, my "buddy" is a chick. That may make more sense to you all.

mnrivrat, thanks for the heads up. I just wanted to make sure so it didn't seem suspicious.

 

[jakk280rem]

actually boyer is right. if your gonna go see your friend pick up her new gun, just take it to the shop ahead of time. transfering a firearms doesn't always mean mailing it. just arrange everything with the shop ahead of time.