ATF Compliance & Buyer Disclosures

Federal Firearms Law — The Basics

Every firearm sold by Georgia Gun Shops is transferred in compliance with the Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44), ATF regulations (27 CFR Part 478), and applicable state law. This page summarizes what the law requires of both us and you. It is not legal advice — consult an attorney for specifics.

ATF Form 4473 — The Firearms Transaction Record

Every firearm transfer to a non-licensed individual requires ATF Form 4473, completed in person at an FFL. The form asks for:

  • Your full legal name, address, date of birth, place of birth, and ethnicity/race (as required by ATF).
  • Government-issued photo ID with current address (state driver’s license, state ID card, or passport + secondary ID if the passport lacks address).
  • A series of yes/no questions designed to identify prohibited persons under federal law.
  • Certification that you are the actual buyer (not a “straw purchaser” buying on behalf of someone else).

The receiving FFL runs a background check (NICS or state equivalent) and, if approved, completes the transfer. Making a false statement on a Form 4473 is a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Who Is Prohibited from Owning Firearms (18 U.S.C. § 922(g))

Under federal law, you may not purchase or possess a firearm if you are:

  • Convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment (felony).
  • A fugitive from justice.
  • An unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance (including marijuana, regardless of state legalization).
  • Adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution.
  • An illegal alien or admitted to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa (with exceptions).
  • Dishonorably discharged from the armed forces.
  • A former U.S. citizen who renounced citizenship.
  • Subject to a court order restraining you from harassing/stalking/threatening an intimate partner or child.
  • Convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
  • Under indictment for a crime punishable by more than one year (for purchase, not possession).

If any of these apply, do not attempt to purchase. Doing so is a separate federal felony.

Straw Purchases

A straw purchase is when one person buys a firearm on behalf of another — typically a person who is prohibited. Federal law (recently strengthened by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act) treats straw purchasing as a standalone felony with up to 15 years imprisonment. If a friend or family member asks you to buy a gun for them, and they are not a lawful gift recipient, the answer is no.

Age Requirements

Federal minimum age is 21 for handguns purchased from an FFL, 18 for long guns. Many states (CA, FL, HI, IL, NY, VT, WA, and others) set 21 as the minimum for all firearms. Age is verified by your government ID at the FFL counter. Our site also verifies age at checkout.

State Law — Additional Requirements Vary

State law can be stricter than federal. Common state-level requirements:

  • Waiting periods: CA (10 days), FL (3 days), IL (72 hours), MN (7 days), RI (7 days), WA (10 days for semi-auto rifles), and others.
  • Permit/license to purchase: IL (FOID), NJ (Permit to Purchase for handguns), NY (pistol permit), NC (handgun permit), HI.
  • Magazine capacity limits: CA, CO, CT, DC, HI, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA (10 or 15 rounds depending on state).
  • Assault weapon bans: CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, WA — specific rifles and configurations prohibited.
  • Handgun rosters: CA and MA maintain approved lists; models not on the list cannot be sold.
  • Red flag laws: roughly 20 states allow temporary firearm removal via court order.

We maintain per-state compliance pages — see the Shipping Policy for links.

NFA Items (Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs, Machine Guns)

NFA items require ATF Form 4 approval, a $200 tax stamp ($5 for AOWs), fingerprints, passport photos, CLEO notification, and typically 6-10 months of processing time. We are a licensed SOT Class 3 and handle all NFA paperwork in-house. Individual registration or NFA Trust both work — we can recommend a trust attorney if needed.

Lost, Stolen, or Transferred Firearms

Report stolen firearms to local law enforcement immediately. Many states require reporting within a specific window (CA, CT, DC, IL, MA, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA). Private transfers are regulated differently in each state — some require an FFL-facilitated transfer for all sales (CA, CO, DE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA), others do not.

Background Check Failures

If your NICS background check is denied or delayed, you have the right to appeal. Contact FBI NICS (877-444-7774) for the reason code. Common issues: name similarity to a prohibited person, outdated record, misdemeanor adjudication not yet purged. Appeals typically take 30-60 days.

Resources

Contact

Questions about compliance on a specific order: [email protected].