Can I Buy a Gun Online and Ship It to Montana?
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 firearms online and ship them to Montana, but they must go through a licensed FFL dealer who will conduct the background check before transferring the gun to you.
What This Means for You
Online gun purchases offer Montana builders access to wider selection and competitive pricing that local shops might not match. The FFL transfer requirement means you'll need to factor in transfer fees and coordinate with a local dealer, but this opens up national inventory for your build projects.
The Detail
Federal law requires all interstate firearm transfers to go through a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer, and Montana follows this standard without additional state-level restrictions on online purchases. When you buy a gun online, the seller ships it to an FFL dealer of your choice in Montana, where you'll complete ATF Form 4473 and undergo the NICS background check just like any in-store purchase.
Montana doesn't impose waiting periods or additional permits for most firearms purchases, so once you pass the background check, you can take possession immediately. The state also doesn't restrict private party transfers between Montana residents, but online purchases from out-of-state sellers must still go through an FFL regardless of whether the seller is a dealer or private party.
Your chosen FFL will typically charge a transfer fee ranging from $20 to $50, and some dealers require you to contact them before having firearms shipped to ensure they'll accept the transfer. Montana has no state-level restrictions on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, or most firearm types, so online availability is generally limited only by federal regulations.
For NFA items like suppressors or short-barreled rifles, the process involves additional ATF paperwork and longer wait times, but Montana allows ownership of most NFA items. Always verify current laws with official state resources, as regulations can change and local ordinances may add restrictions in certain municipalities.
Build Impact
Online purchasing significantly expands your parts availability for custom builds, especially for hard-to-find receivers or specialty components. Factor the FFL transfer fee into your budget, but the broader selection often offsets this cost through better pricing and availability than local inventory alone.