State Restrictions
State firearm restrictions make US firearm law layered. Federal rules apply everywhere, state firearm restrictions sit on top of them, and county or city ordinances can add another layer again. A rifle that is entirely ordinary in one state can be unlawful two hundred miles away because of state firearm restrictions on a magazine, a stock or a muzzle device. This page explains what we check, what you need to check, and where the common traps in state firearm restrictions are.
How our screening works
- Product levelListings that are restricted in known jurisdictions carry a compliance note, and in many cases our checkout will not allow the item to be shipped to those destinations at all.
- Order levelEvery order is reviewed against the destination before it ships. Firearms are reviewed against your dealer address, ammunition and magazines against your delivery address.
- Dealer levelYour dealer is the final check. A licensed dealer will not complete a transfer that breaks state law, which is exactly what you want from them.
The categories that cause the most problems
Magazine capacity
Several states cap magazine capacity, commonly at ten or fifteen rounds. This applies to magazines sold on their own and to magazines shipped inside a firearm box. Where a limit applies we substitute compliant magazines or hold the order and contact you.
Feature-based rifle laws
Some states define a restricted rifle by its features rather than its calibre. Adjustable stocks, pistol grips, flash hiders, threaded barrels, forward grips and detachable magazines can each move a rifle across the line, sometimes in combination and sometimes on their own.
Handgun rosters and approved lists
A small number of states allow only handguns that appear on an approved or certified list. A model can be perfectly legal to own nationally and still be unsellable to a resident of one of those states because the manufacturer never submitted it for testing.
Permits and waiting periods
Several jurisdictions require a purchase permit, firearms identification card or handgun licence before a transfer, and several impose a waiting period between purchase and collection. Both are handled at your dealer, not by us, and both are worth confirming before you order.
Ammunition rules
Some states require an in-person handover of ammunition, a permit, or a background check for ammunition purchases, and some restrict specific projectile types. Where online delivery is not permitted, we will not ship it.
City and county ordinances
Local ordinances can be stricter than the state around them, particularly in large metropolitan areas. State-level information is not always enough, so check your city as well.
Before you order, confirm these five things
- The exact model and configuration is legal at your address, including the barrel length, stock and muzzle device.
- The magazine capacity shipped with it complies with your state limit, or that you are content to receive a reduced-capacity magazine.
- You hold any permit, card or licence your state requires, and it is current.
- Any waiting period is acceptable to you, since it starts at the dealer, not when you order.
- Ammunition can be delivered to your address, or that you plan to buy it locally instead.
NFA and Class III items
Suppressors, short-barrelled rifles and shotguns and other National Firearms Act items are legal for private ownership in most states but banned outright in some, and they always require federal registration, a tax stamp and a dealer holding a Special Occupational Tax classification. Read our NFA guide before ordering anything in this category.
What happens if an order cannot be shipped
We contact you first. Where there is a compliant alternative, a lower-capacity magazine, a different configuration or a similar model that is approved in your state, we will offer it. If there is no lawful way to complete the order, we cancel it and refund you in full, including shipping you have paid, and nothing is charged for the trouble.
Moving states
If you are relocating, do not assume your collection travels with you. Some firearms and magazines that are lawful where you live now must be registered, modified or left behind at the new address. Research the destination well before moving day, and speak to a dealer or attorney in the state you are moving to.
Not sure about your state?
Tell us the model and your ZIP code and we will tell you whether we can ship it, before you spend anything.
Ask our compliance teamHow buying online worksThis page is a general summary and not legal advice. Firearm law changes frequently and varies by state, county and city. Always verify the current rules that apply at your address with your local authorities or a qualified attorney.
How We Screen Orders Against State Firearm Restrictions
Every order is checked against known state firearm restrictions before it ships, using the delivery address you provide at checkout. If state firearm restrictions block a specific item from reaching your address, we cancel and refund that item rather than shipping something that could put you at legal risk.
Where can I check current state firearm restrictions myself?
The NRA-ILA state gun laws directory is a useful starting point for state firearm restrictions, though it should be verified against your local authorities since state firearm restrictions change more often than any single directory can track in real time.
What happens if state firearm restrictions block my order after I pay?
If state firearm restrictions prevent a specific item from shipping to your address, we cancel that line item and refund it promptly rather than substituting something else without asking. The rest of a mixed order not affected by state firearm restrictions still ships normally.