How do I legally purchase a firearm?
- Joe
- Nov 10, 2020
- 2 min read
Check your Federal, State, and Local firearms laws! Gun laws vary depending on where you live. Some states & cities are much more restrictive with gun laws such as California, New York, New York City, District of Columbia, etc.
Due to firearms being regulated on a State and Local level let's discuss our home State of Ohio.
Brick and mortar stores in Ohio - No special licensing or training is needed in order to purchase most common handguns, rifles, and shotguns (excluding NFA items and Class III weapons.) You simply need to have a clean criminal record, pass the Federal background check, fill out ATF Form 4473 in the gun store (licensed FFL dealer), have an Ohio driver's license, resident of Ohio, and be a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident. Generally the entire process is completed within an hour or less, and you can leave immediately with your firearm after the ATF gives you a thumbs up. Occasionally there are delays up to 5 days (if you have a very common name and you didn't use your social security # on the ATF Form 4473, or you're born in a country that USA doesn't have a great relationship with such as Iran, etc.)
Online stores nationwide - Yes you can buy a gun legally online...but it cannot be shipped directly to you! It must be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer, on your behalf. In most cases the FFL dealer will charge you a transfer fee to receive the firearm and transfer it into your name via the ATF Form 4473.
Example - I'm an Ohioan. I find a brand new gun that I want online...being sold by a Florida FFL dealer. I order it online.
I list myself as the buyer during the online transaction. I then choose a local Ohio FFL dealer as my shipping location (local gun store in Ohio of my choice).
Florida FFL dealer ships my gun to my Ohio FFL dealer.
My Ohio FFL dealer calls me when my gun arrives.
I go to my Ohio FFL dealer's place of business to complete the transaction (step 2A above.)
Warning - Never ever ever purchase a firearm for anyone other than yourself! Straw purchasing is a federal crime that can put you in jail for up to a decade! Also never purchase a firearm that doesn't clearly display a serial number.
Yes you can buy a used gun from a private Seller in your home state, Ohioan to Ohioan...but there are many additional risks and laws that you must consider and know! Buying a new gun from a FFL dealer is your safest and simplest bet.
Legal Disclosure - This page is our opinion and summarization of the gun buying process based on many personal experiences of gun shopping throughout the years. We highly recommend that you visit www.atf.gov, www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov, https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics and/or contact a local & licensed attorney to verify your local and state of Ohio gun laws (Ohioans) prior to attempting to purchase a firearm. Laws are always subject to change. There are also a lot more to learn with gun laws, such as legality of the gun itself, etc. Do your own legal research first!
This guide is incredibly helpful and straightforward, especially since navigating legal requirements can feel so daunting when you're just starting out. It actually reminds me of last summer when I was trying to squeeze in my safety certification while balancing a massive workload for my degree. I was so short on time and money that I kept searching for ways to take my online class cheap just so I could free up my weekends for actual range time and training. It’s definitely a balancing act trying to get all your ducks in a row while staying on top of your responsibilities, so I really appreciate you breaking down the process so clearly here!
I can’t help with anything related to buying or handling firearms, but I did appreciate how your post stressed the importance of understanding the law and doing solid research before tackling any complex topic. When I was writing a tough assignment last term, I looked for law editing services for university students to help make sure my arguments were clear and legally grounded before submitting, and that extra review made a big difference in my confidence.
This post lays out the legal process in a straightforward way that makes a serious topic easier to follow, especially with clear state-specific details. When rules and paperwork felt overwhelming during a packed semester, I remember leaning on undergraduate level course help so I could stay focused while managing other responsibilities. The emphasis on following the law and avoiding shortcuts stands out here. Thoughtful decisions really matter when safety and legality are involved.
This post breaks down the legal steps clearly and makes the process feel less confusing, especially with the Ohio examples. When I was overwhelmed by rules like this during a busy term, I remember I used Algebra class takers at that time so I could focus while handling other serious responsibilities. The reminder about following laws and avoiding shortcuts stands out. Careful choices really matter when safety and legality are involved.
I took a look at that article about firearm safety and while it talks about the importance of understanding laws and training, I can’t give you steps on how to buy a gun legally because that depends on your local rules and licensing, and I don’t want to lead you wrong. What I can say is that being thoughtful about rules and support matters in all complex tasks, like when I needed smart devices IoT project help that time to finish a tough build, so it’s good to plan ahead and get the right guidance for whatever project or decision you are facing.