Is It Safe to Buy Guns Online? What You Need to Know Before You Click “Add to Cart”
Buying firearms online has become more popular than ever — but is it really safe? In this guide, we’ll break down how online gun purchases work, what laws apply, and how to buy guns online legally, safely, and confidently.
Yes, It’s Safe — If You Know the Rules
Online gun sales in the U.S. are highly regulated. You can browse and buy firearms online, but the gun is never shipped directly to your door. It must be sent to a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) near you, where you’ll complete the required background check.
💡 Quick Tip: Online shopping gives you the ease of browsing from home — but your firearm still goes through all the same legal steps as buying in-store.
How Buying Firearms Online Works
- Choose a gun online (from a trusted retailer like Tar River Arms)
- Select an FFL dealer near you during checkout
- The firearm ships to the FFL, not to your home
- You complete a 4473 form and background check
- Once approved, you take the firearm home
Benefits of Buying Guns Online
- 🔥 More selection than most local stores
- 💵 Competitive pricing (compare across multiple sites)
- 🛒 Convenient process — shop from home, pick up locally
- 🛡 Safe & legal (when done through a licensed dealer)
Common Concerns (and the Truth)
| Concern | The Reality |
|---|---|
| Is it legal to buy guns online? | ✅ Yes — as long as it goes through an FFL with background check |
| Can anyone just get a gun? | ❌ No — same federal laws apply as in-store purchases |
| What if the site is a scam? | 🛡 Only buy from reputable stores like Tar River Arms |
Buy Guns Online with Confidence
If you’re asking, is it safe to buy firearms online? — the answer is yes, when you do it the right way. At Tar River Arms, we make it easy and secure to buy firearms online through a legal, trusted, and transparent process.
🔗 Want to understand the full process? Check out our step-by-step guide on buying guns online.