Last checked October 25, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
JCM Armory is a licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Joppa, Maryland. When you buy a gun on JCMArmory.com, we ship it to a licensed dealer near you in 49 states (we do not sell or ship to California), and you complete the paperwork and background check there. Here's how it works, step by step.
How shipping to your FFL works
- Check your state's rules. Make sure the firearm is legal for you to own where you live. Our state buying guides cover permits, waiting periods and background checks state by state.
- Call a local dealer first. Confirm they accept transfers shipped from another dealer, ask their transfer fee and, for suppressors, SBRs or SBSs, confirm they handle NFA items.
- Choose your dealer at checkout. Pick your FFL when you place your order, and we ship the firearm to them.
- Pick up in person. Your dealer lets you know when it arrives. Bring a valid photo ID and any state permit, fill out ATF Form 4473 and pass the background check, then take it home.
Why guns ship to a dealer, not your door
Under federal law, a person who isn't a licensee generally can't bring into or receive in their home state a firearm they bought outside that state (18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3); 27 CFR 478.29). Shipping to a licensed dealer in your state keeps the sale legal: the dealer receives it, runs the background check and completes the transfer under your state's rules.
Shipping costs
- Firearms priced $300 or more ship free.
- Ammunition ships free once your ammo subtotal reaches $750.
- Other orders ship for a flat $15.
- Powder and primers add a $40 hazmat fee per order.
Your dealer's transfer fee is separate and paid to them.
Ammo, parts and magazines
Most ammo, parts and magazines can ship straight to your door in most states. A few states add their own rules, such as:
- Ammo that has to ship to a licensed dealer, or a permit or ID card to buy ammo.
- Limits on magazine size.
- Bans on certain parts or ammo types.
Ammo ships by ground. You must be 18 or older to buy long gun ammo and 21 or older for handgun ammo. If we can't legally ship an item to you, we'll contact you before your order goes out.
States with extra rules
Some states, like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Hawaii, Colorado, Washington and Maryland, have their own rules on certain guns, magazines or ammo. Your dealer will check before the transfer, but it's up to you to make sure an item is legal where you live before you buy. Maryland buyers can read our Maryland laws page. We do not sell or ship to California.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs
NFA items ship to your dealer the same way, but your dealer must be willing to handle them. Read our How to Buy a Silencer Online guide for the Form 4473 and voluntary $0 Form 4 options, and check your state's silencer page if we have one.
If something can't be transferred in your state
Dealers check state law before completing a transfer. If a firearm turns out not to be legal where you live, it has to come back to us, so please check before you order. Our Transfers page explains how this works.
Handguns · Rifles · Shotguns · Silencers · State buying guides · Transfers
Shipping to your FFL: FAQ
Can you ship a gun directly to my house?
No. Federal law generally bars a person who isn't licensed from receiving a firearm bought outside their home state except through a licensed dealer in their own state (18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and 27 CFR 478.29). We ship firearms to a licensed dealer (FFL) in your state, and you pick up there.
Who pays the FFL transfer fee?
You do, directly to your local dealer. Each dealer sets its own transfer fee, so ask when you call them before ordering.
Can my FFL receive a suppressor, SBR or SBS?
Many can, but not every dealer handles NFA items. Call first and ask whether they transfer suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns, and how they handle the paperwork. Our How to Buy a Silencer Online guide explains your options.
What do I bring to pick up my gun?
A valid government photo ID and any permit or license your state requires for that purchase. Your dealer completes ATF Form 4473 with you and runs the background check before handing over the firearm.
I live in Maryland. Can I pick up at JCM Armory?
Yes. Choose JCM Armory in Joppa as your dealer. Transfers on items bought from JCMArmory.com are free; government background check or paperwork fees still apply. See our Transfers page for details.
Questions? Call us at (410) 419-9896.