FFL Transfer Guide for Firearms

FFL Transfer Guide for Firearms

General Information About FFL Transfers

Before purchasing or transferring any firearm or NFA/Class 3 item, please carefully read and understand the following important information:

Legal Compliance

  • It is your responsibility to ensure that the item you are purchasing is legal to own in your state and local jurisdiction.

  • You must meet all federal, state, and local age and background check requirements for purchasing firearms or NFA items.

Selecting Your FFL Dealer

  • It is your responsibility to select an FFL dealer that will handle your transfer.

  • If you do not have a preferred FLL, our checkout process will help you find an FFL near your location.

  • It is your responsibility to contact your chosen FFL dealer to confirm their acceptance of the transfer and inquire about any associated fees.

  • Be sure FFL details are correct during your purchase to avoid delays or complications.

Inspect Your Firearm or NFA Item

  • Once your firearm has arrived at your preferred FFL, it is your responsibility to inspect the item carefully to ensure it matches your order and is in good condition BEFORE completing a transfer.

  • Once a firearm or NFA item has been transferred into your possession, it cannot be returned or refunded.

Background Checks and Waiting Periods

  • After you have inspected and confirmed your firearm, you will complete an ATF Form 4473 background check at your local FFL.

  • Some states may have mandatory waiting periods before you can pick up your firearm. It is your responsibility to check your state’s regulations.

  • NFA ITEMS: While approval timelines for many NFA items have improved, NFA/Class 3 approval times can take up to 6-12 months or longer once paperwork is submitted.

Transfer Fees

  • Machine Gun Mike charges a $40 transfer fee per standard firearm and a $100 transfer fee per NFA item. If you are purchasing your firearm or NFA / Class 3 item from our store, you will not be charged a transfer fee.

  • You are responsible for any transfer fees charged by the receiving FFL dealer. Transfer fees can vary widely by dealer.

  • All NFA / Class 3 items will require a $200 Federal Tax Stamp PER ITEM, payable during the Form 4 application process. This is NOT a transfer fee.

Responsibility for Legal Compliance

  • You are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local firearm and NFA regulations.

  • Failure to follow proper procedures or comply with legal requirements can result in severe legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment.

How to Handle an FFL Transfer for Online Firearm Purchase

Buying a firearm online is a straightforward process when you know the steps involved. Since firearms cannot be shipped directly to you, they must be sent to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer.

Whether you’re purchasing a firearm directly from us or transferring one from another dealer, we’ve got you covered. Follow the instructions below based on your situation.

Purchasing From Us AND Picking Up In-Store:

  1. Make Your Purchase:

    • Browse our selection in-store or online.

    • Add your chosen firearm to your cart and begin the checkout process.

  2. Provide Your Information:

    • Fill out your billing and contact details on the checkout page.

    • Select “CLICK HERE FOR IN STORE PICKUP” located under “Select your preferred FFL dealer” in our checkout form.

  3. Pick Up Your Firearm:

    • We will notify you when your purchase is ready for pickup.

    • You will not be charged an FFL transfer fee since you are purchasing from us.

  4. Background Check:

    • We will conduct an ATF Form 4473 background check on-site when you pick up your firearm to complete the sale.

    • Bring your government-issued ID and any required permits (like a Kentucky Concealed Carry Permit).

Purchasing from Us and Transferring to Another Dealer:

  1. Make Your Purchase:

    • Browse our selection in-store or online and complete your purchase.

    • During checkout, use your zip code to search for an FFL near you under the “Select your preferred FFL dealer” section in our checkout form.

    • Select an FFL on the list provided and complete your purchase.

  2. Provide Dealer Information:

    • If we do not have your FFL’s paperwork on file, you may need to provide the full details of the receiving FFL dealer. We will notify you by email and help handle this process, if necessary.

  3. Shipment Process:

    • We will handle shipping to your receiving FFL once your order is complete and all FFL paperwork is on file.

    • We will notify you when the firearm has been shipped and provide tracking if available.

  4. Picking Up from the Receiving Dealer:

    • Once the firearm arrives at your preferred FFL, your FFL dealer will contact you to complete the transfer.

    • Bring a valid government-issued ID and any necessary permits to complete the background check at the receiving FFL.

    • Pay the receiving dealer’s transfer fee (fees vary by location).

Purchasing From Another Dealer and Transferring to Us:

  1. Purchase Your Firearm Online:

    • Choose and purchase a firearm from an online or physical store of your choice.

    • During checkout, select MGM LLC as your FFL transfer destination. This is our address:

      • MGM LLC / Machine Gun Mike

      • 381 United Ct #4, Lexington, KY 40509

      • Phone: (859) 379-2841

      • Email: sales@machinegunmike.com

  2. Notify Us:

    • Call or email us to let us know about the incoming transfer.

    • Provide your name, contact info, and the firearm make and model.

  3. Wait for Delivery:

    • We will call you once your firearm arrives and has been logged into our system.

    • Please wait for our notification before coming to the store.

  4. Pick Up Your Firearm:

    • Bring a valid government-issued ID and any required permits.

    • Inspect your firearm and complete the ATF Form 4473 background check.

    • Pay our standard transfer fee of $40 (per firearm).

NFA / Class 3 Transfer Guide

At Machine Gun Mike, we make handling NFA/Class 3 items simple and secure. Whether you’re buying directly from us or transferring from another dealer, we’ve got you covered.

Purchasing an NFA/Class 3 Item from Us and Picking Up In-Store:

  1. Make Your Purchase:

    • Browse our selection of Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and other NFA items.

    • Add your chosen item(s) to your cart and begin the checkout process.

  2. Provide Your Information:

    • Fill out your billing and contact details on the checkout page.

    • Select “CLICK HERE FOR IN STORE PICKUP” located under “Select your preferred FFL dealer” in our checkout form.

  3. Begin the Transfer Process and Complete ATF Paperwork:

    • We will notify you when your item has arrived in our store and is ready for the transfer process.

    • We will assist you in filling out the ATF Form 4 (Individual or Trust) to transfer the item to you.

    • To complete the ATF Form 4, you will need passport-style photos and fingerprint cards.

    • We can handle taking your photos Photos and Fingerprints (digitally) in-store. If you are purchasing the item from us, there is no additional charge for this service.

    • Notify your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) as required.

    • Pay the $200 Tax Stamp fee associated with submitting your ATF Form 4.

  4. Background Check and Approval:

    • The ATF will process your Form 4.

    • Approval times vary by item and by individual or trust. For most items, the approval process is not long, but for some items it can take up to 6-12 months or longer.

    • We will keep you updated throughout the approval process.

  5. Pick Up Your Item:

    • Once your Form 4 is approved, we will notify you to return to the store to take possession of your item.

Purchasing an NFA/Class 3 Item from Us and Transferring to Another Dealer:

  1. Make Your Purchase:

    • Browse our selection of NFA items, including suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and more.

    • During checkout, use your zip code to search for an FFL near you under the “Select your preferred FFL dealer” section in our checkout form.

    • Select an FFL on the list provided and complete your purchase.

  1. Provide Receiving Dealer Information:

    • Choose a Local Class 3 Dealer: Make sure the receiving dealer can legally handle NFA items. 

    • Provide Dealer Details: You will need to provide the following:

      • Dealer’s name, address, and contact number

      • A copy of their FFL/SOT license (if not already on file)

    • Verification: We will verify the receiving dealer’s information and confirm their willingness to accept the transfer.

  1. ATF Form 3 Transfer:

    • Dealer-to-Dealer Transfer: We will complete ATF Form 3 to transfer the item from us to you receiving dealer.

    • Processing Time: The Form 3 process usually takes 2-6 weeks for approval.

    • Shipment to Dealer: Once the Form 3 is approved, we will ship the item to the receiving dealer and provide tracking if available.

    • Notification: We will update you when the item has shipped.

  1. Completing the Transfer Process with the Your Receiving Dealer:

    • Wait for Dealer Notification: Your selected receiving dealer will contact you when your NFA item arrives.

    • Complete ATF Form 4: You will need to complete Form 4 with the receiving dealer. This includes:

      • Submitting passport-style photos.

      • Providing fingerprint cards.

      • Paying the $200 tax stamp.

      • Paying your receiving FFL’s NFA Transfer Fee (if applicable)

    • CLEO Notification: Notify your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) as required.


Transferring an NFA/Class 3 Item from Another Dealer to Us:

  1. Purchase Your NFA Item online or at your local dealer:

    • Choose and purchase your item from a reputable dealer.

    • Use our FFL/SOT details for the transfer:

      • MGM LLC / Machine Gun Mike

      • 381 United Ct #4, Lexington, KY 40509

      • Phone: (859) 379-2841

      • Email: sales@machinegunmike.com

  2. Notify Us:

    • Contact us to inform us of your incoming NFA item.

    • We will work with the sending dealer to complete the Form 3 transfer from dealer to dealer.

  3. Begin the Transfer Process and Complete ATF Paperwork:

    • We will notify you when your item has arrived in our store and is ready for the transfer process.

    • We will assist you in filling out the ATF Form 4 (Individual or Trust) to transfer the item to you.

    • To complete the ATF Form 4, you will need passport-style photos and fingerprint cards.

    • We can handle taking your photos and fingerprints (digitally) in-store. We charge a $50 fee for this process when items were not purchased directly from us.

    • Notify your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) as required.

    • Pay the $200 Tax Stamp fee associated with submitting your ATF Form 4.

    • Pay our $100 NFA Transfer Fee.

  4. Background Check and Approval:

    • The ATF will process your Form 4.

    • Approval times vary by item and by individual or trust. For most items, the approval process is not long, but for some items it can take up to 6-12 months or longer.

    • We will keep you updated throughout the approval process.

  5. Pick Up Your Item:

    • Once your Form 4 is approved, we will notify you to return to the store to take possession of your item.

Need More Assistance?

If you have any questions about FFL transfers or firearm purchases, give us a call or send us an email. We’re here to make your experience as smooth as possible, wether purchasing from us or elsewhere!

Call us at (859) 379-2841
Email us at sales@machinegunmike.com

Scroll to Top