Out of state gun purchase??

**run silent run deep** · May 19th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Scenario, I walk into a gun shop in another state find a good deal and want to make the purchase. What laws govern the transaction? The state of purchase, PA law? Do i have to have it shipped to a PA dealer for transfer ????? Pardon me if it has been discussed before.

**JayBell** · May 19th, 2008, 05:09 PM

Under federal law, you can buy a shotgun or rifle at a FFl Dealer in any state, following that federal and state laws.

Handguns may be purchased, but must be shipped back to a FFL dealer in your own state, and transferred to you via your home state law.

NFA items have to be trasferred to a dealer in your own state for transfer to you.

Under no circumstances is it legal to purchase/sell any handgun/rifle/shotgun face to face from a resident of any other state without involving a FFL in the buyers home state.

thats how it works.

**theSaj** · May 21st, 2008, 11:17 PM

What about gifts? From parents? To parents? Etc?

**JayBell** · May 22nd, 2008, 12:18 AM

Federal law makes no exception for parent-child-family transfers when involving crossing state lines.
A ffl must be involved in the buyers (or other person taking receipt) home state (or if a longarm, at a FFL).

State laws may vary.

**Tokamak** · May 22nd, 2008, 12:38 AM

The only experience I had with that was buying from Cabelas in WV.

They had a SW Model 10 we wanted. It was a reasonably priced Hong Kong police model with a lanyard - really handsome blued revolver. Still one of the most accurate revolvers I have ever shot.

Anyway, long story short. Contacted Braverman's in Wilkinsbugh. They accepted it from Cabela's for me (fee of under 40 if I remember correctly). Had to do the paperwork as if we were buying a pistol from Braverman's and that was it.

**colagrrl** · May 22nd, 2008, 01:41 PM

In regard to handguns, do prices at shops typically vary from state to state? Kind of along the lines of supply and demand?

Last summer when I was in North Carolina, I saw Bersa handguns that were priced considerably less than the prices that I was seeing up here. Not just a few dollars less, but more like an average of $50 less or more.

That said, how many of you take a copy of your local FFL's paperwork when you go on vacation? I found a local FFL with a great price, so I'm actually thinking of doing that this summer. Maybe that sounds weird to some, but I'd like to be prepared if I come across a new or used handgun that I want. Yeah, my vacations involve stopping at all the local gun shops & sporting goods stores