Can I Buy a Gun Online and Ship It to Mississippi?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, you can buy a gun online and ship it to Mississippi, but it must go to a licensed FFL dealer who will conduct the background check before transferring it to you.
What This Means for You
Online gun purchases follow federal interstate commerce laws regardless of Mississippi's relatively permissive state firearms regulations. The FFL transfer requirement applies to all firearms purchases across state lines, whether you're buying from a dealer or private seller in another state. This process is the same whether you're building a custom rifle or buying a complete firearm.
The Detail
When you purchase a firearm online, federal law requires the seller to ship it to a Federal Firearms License holder in your state. You cannot have firearms shipped directly to your home address in Mississippi or any other state. The receiving FFL dealer acts as an intermediary who takes possession of the firearm and conducts the required background check before transferring it to you.
Mississippi does not require additional state-level background checks beyond the federal NICS check, and there are no waiting periods for firearm purchases. Once the FFL receives your firearm and you complete ATF Form 4473, you can typically take possession immediately if you pass the background check. Some FFLs charge a transfer fee that ranges widely depending on the dealer.
The process works the same for receivers, complete firearms, and most components that are legally defined as firearms. However, parts like barrels, stocks, triggers, and other accessories can typically be shipped directly to your home since they are not regulated as firearms under federal law. Always verify that items you're purchasing online can legally be owned in Mississippi, particularly if you're looking at items that might fall under NFA regulations.
If you're purchasing from a private seller in another state through an online platform, that transaction must also go through an FFL dealer. Private sellers cannot ship firearms directly to out-of-state buyers, even if both parties are in states that generally allow private sales.
Build Impact
This means you can source receivers, complete uppers, and other firearm components from anywhere in the country for your build projects, but plan for FFL transfer fees and timing when budgeting. The FFL requirement only applies to the actual firearm or receiver, so you can have most other build components shipped directly to save time and money.