Choosing an FFL

Interstate firearm deals on American Gun Trader use the FFLs button in your message thread for built-in FFL transfer — search the ATF directory, share a dealer card, propose, and agree. Both buyer and seller must agree before an FFL becomes your official transfer choice. Need the plain-language rule first? Read the Golden Rule.

The FFL picker in your thread

This is the same selector that appears when you tap FFLs beside Send on an interstate listing conversation:

Do I need an FFL for this deal?

Situation	FFL needed?	FFLs button shows?
Buyer and seller in different states	Yes — interstate transfer	Yes
Buyer and seller in the same state	Usually no*	No

*State law varies. See federal and state law basics and the FFL transfer process.

For buyers

• Open the conversation on the listing and tap FFLs beside the Send button.
• Dealers shown are in the seller's state — that is where the firearm typically ships from.
• AGT Verified FFLs are recommended first, under a "Recommended — AGT Verified" heading, followed by the rest of the ATF directory. Within each group, dealers are ordered nearest to the seller first. A verified dealer can therefore appear above a closer unverified one.
• Share in chat sends an informational card for any directory FFL. Tap Agree on a recommendation to start a formal proposal both parties must accept. You do not need the dealer to be AGT Verified.
• You can change your mind later; agreeing to a new FFL replaces the previous choice and closes any old transfer chat tied to the prior dealer.

For sellers

• You do not need to be an FFL yourself to sell interstate — you need a licensed dealer in your state to ship from.
• Use the same FFLs button in your inbox thread with the buyer.
• When someone proposes a dealer, tap Agree on the card or in the banner above the composer.
• Both of you must agree on the FFL. American Gun Trader records that agreement for your protection if there is ever a dispute.

For FFL dealers on American Gun Trader

• Verified dealers are recommended first. When a buyer and seller in your state open the picker to choose a receiving FFL, your shop is listed above the rest of the ATF directory — even above dealers who are closer to the seller. This is the core benefit of a verified FFL account.
• The promotion follows your account status: if your vendor subscription lapses or is revoked, you lose the badge and the top placement until it is restored.
• You only receive a transfer invite after both buyer and seller have agreed on your shop.
• Accept or decline from your Notifications page.
• Accepting opens a private 3-way chat with the buyer and seller.
• Declining does not remove you from the ATF directory — the parties can pick another dealer.
• Vendor signup and the verified badge: FFL Dealer Accounts and Settings → FFL.

AGT Verified vs. directory FFL

Every dealer in the picker comes from the official ATF directory. Any directory FFL you select through built-in FFL transfer is on the happy path. Not every shop has an American Gun Trader vendor account.

• Directory FFL (listed FFL) — any ATF-listed dealer you pick through the in-chat FFL picker. Allowed for every interstate transfer.
• AGT Verified — optional badge for dealers with an active vendor account on the platform. Recommended first in the picker, and enables the 3-way transfer chat after both parties agree. Not required for a legitimate transfer.
• AGT Verified means the dealer confirmed their licence with American Gun Trader and holds an active vendor subscription. It is not an endorsement, and it does not replace your own due diligence.
• Use the Verified FFLs checkbox in the picker if you only want to browse AGT Verified dealers.
• Always verify any FFL independently at ATF eZCheck.

Interstate: no peer contact

If you and the other party are in different states, you may not share phone or email with each other — not with the Share button, not in chat. The deal moves through the FFL you both agree on. You may still propose another FFL if you need to change dealers. Gunny repeats this in the thread (not as a banner). See Gunny, the compliance copilot.

Shipping your firearm to the receiving FFL

If you already legally own the firearm and are shipping it to an FFL in another U.S. state:

• Handgun: use a private/common carrier that accepts firearm shipments. USPS generally cannot be used by a non-FFL to mail a handgun. (ATF Q&A)
• Rifle/shotgun: USPS is generally the simplest option for a non-FFL shipping to an FFL if the firearm is mailable, unloaded, and securely packaged. (Postal Explorer §432)
• Either type: federal law permits a non-FFL to ship a firearm directly to an FFL in another state. (ATF FAQ PDF)

Confirm the receiving FFL accepts non-FFL shipments. Ship unloaded in a secure, inconspicuous package. Notify the carrier that the shipment contains a firearm; the outside of the package must not identify it as such. (27 CFR §478.31) Use tracking and signature confirmation.

What AGT records (and does not)

• AGT records which FFL both parties agreed on and when — useful if there is a dispute.
• AGT does not run background checks, hold firearms, or guarantee a dealer will accept your transfer.

General information only — not legal advice.

Troubleshooting

• I do not see the FFLs button. You are likely in the same state as the other party, or your profile location is incomplete. Complete your address in Settings → Basic.
• The list is empty. No transfer-capable dealers matched in our directory for that state — use ATF eZCheck directly.
• The other party will not agree. Share a card for discussion or propose a different FFL.
• Transfer chat went read-only. Someone selected a different FFL — continue in your main conversation.
• I am an FFL and never got invited. Both parties must agree first; then check Notifications.