If you can sell guns on this site, you are either a private seller or an FFL β a federally licensed dealer. Here is what each one means and how transactions differ.
Quick comparison
- Private sellers sell from a personal collection
- FFLs are licensed dealers who can ship and run background checks
- Interstate sales almost always involve at least one FFL
- Built-in FFL transfer
- Interstate dealer coordination through the in-chat FFLs picker β search, share a card, propose, and agree. This is the required path for out-of-state deals.
- Directory FFL (listed FFL)
- Any licensed dealer from the official ATF directory that you select through the built-in FFL transfer flow. Any directory dealer is allowed β you do not need an AGT Verified account to pick them.
- AGT Verified
- An optional trust badge for dealers with an active American Gun Trader vendor account. Verified shops are recommended first in the picker and can join the 3-way transfer chat after both parties agree. It is not required for a legitimate interstate transfer.
- Unlisted FFL
- A dealer identity shared outside the picker β typed license numbers, pasted shop names, photos of FFL paperwork, or βuse my FFLβ in plain chat. Prohibited and a common scam pattern. See Terms Β§3B.
What is an FFL?
FFL stands for Federal Firearms License. An FFL holder is a person or business licensed by the ATF to engage in the firearms business β typically a gun store, online dealer, or pawn shop.
Private seller
You are a private seller if you are selling firearms from your personal collection and you are not in the business of dealing in firearms. Private sellers can list on American Gun Trader but in most cases must ship to a licensed dealer (an FFL) on the buyer's side, who then runs a background check and completes the transfer to the buyer.
State law on private intrastate (within-state) sales varies widely β some states require all sales to go through an FFL, others do not. Always check your state.
FFL holder on AGT
FFL holders can ship firearms directly to other FFLs and conduct ATF Form 4473 transfers in person. On American Gun Trader, AGT Verified dealers (optional vendor badge) are recommended first when buyers and sellers pick a receiving dealer for built-in FFL transfer, and unlock vendor tools: bulk uploads, higher listing limits, and a badge buyers trust.
AGT Verified is not the same as being in the ATF directory. Any directory FFL can receive an interstate transfer when chosen through the in-chat FFL picker. The vendor badge is an optional upgrade for dealers who want top placement and platform tools.
To get the vendor badge and tools, apply for FFL verification in Settings β FFL.
Which one am I?
If you have an FFL document and are running a dealership, you are an FFL. Everyone else is a private seller. When in doubt, you are a private seller β operating without a license while regularly dealing in firearms is a federal crime.
