What Is an FFL?
An FFL is a licensed gun dealer authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to legally buy and sell firearms.
To become an FFL, individuals need to meet a strict set of requirements. These requirements are similar to the ATF’s requirements for eligible gun owners.
For example, FFLs can’t have felony convictions or gun law violations. They also need to pass a background check and possible inspection of business premises by the ATF.
Why Sell to an FFL?
When you sell a gun to an FFL, you're ensuring that the transaction complies with federal and state firearm laws. FFLs are legally required to be aware of and observe all relevant gun regulations.
This means you’re protected from liabilities relating to:
- Violation of gun sale laws
- The gun possibly ending up in the hands of a person legally prohibited from owning guns
- The gun possibly ending up in the hands of a person likely to use it in a crime
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Get the Best Price for Your Gun Safely
Start now by getting a great offer from us. Just show us your gun online and we'll tell you what we'll pay for it.
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Other Safe Ways to Sell Guns
What is the safest way to sell a gun if you don’t want to sell to an FFL?
You can also sell through an FFL. You can either consign your gun for sale to one or have the FFL process your private sale (a sale to a non-FFL).
In both cases, FFLs still comply with laws that require them to:
- Run background checks on buyers
- Keep detailed transaction records
- Verify all legal requirements before a firearm changes hands
This means you’re protected from liability again.
By contrast, direct private sales—though legal in many states—can expose you to risks. In a direct private sale, you just sell the gun to another individual without any checks.
This means you may unknowingly sell to someone who is legally barred from owning a firearm. This can sometimes have legal consequences.
How to Sell a Gun TO an FFL
Different FFLs follow different processes. But in our case, you only need to follow three steps:
- Send us the details of your gun through this website.
- Accept our offer and use our prepaid shipping label to send your gun to our shop.
- Get paid according to your preferred payment option.
How to Sell a Gun THROUGH an FFL
To sell your firearm to another private individual with the help of an FFL, follow these steps:
- Choose an FFL with a good reputation.
- Arrange to meet your private buyer at the FFL.
- Bring the unloaded gun and valid ID to the meeting.
- Follow the FFL’s instructions, including for filling out Form 4473.
- Let the FFL hold the gun until your buyer’s background check clears.
- Collect the payment from the buyer when the check clears.
What About Online Gun Sales?
Most online gun sales still rely on FFLs.
For example, if you sell a firearm online through GunBroker, you still have to ship the gun to an FFL in your buyer’s area. That’s required by federal law.
If you’re selling to an FFL online, like Cash for Arms, the process is simpler. You just ship the gun to the purchasing FFL itself.
Practice Safe Gun Sales
So, what is the safest way to sell a gun? It's selling it to an FFL, followed by selling it through an FFL.
This route protects you legally, ensures a proper transfer, and helps keep firearms out of the hands of people not allowed by law to have them.
To sell your own gun safely to us, contact us at (904) 977-5477. You can also email us at support@cashforarms.com.