Questions people ask us

Have the selling dealer or private party ship the firearm to us. We log it into our bound book, then you come in for the transfer.

At the appointment you complete a federal Form 4473, show a government-issued photo ID, and we run a NICS or Virginia State Police background check. Once it clears, the firearm is yours. Nothing about that step can happen online.

A standard firearm transfer is $35. For active military and first responders it is $17.50.

An NFA transfer, such as a suppressor or short-barreled rifle, is $50, or $25 for active military and first responders. That is our fee for the transfer itself. It does not include the federal transfer tax, which is $0 for suppressors and short-barreled rifles as of January 1, 2026.

ATF approval times move around, sometimes a lot, and they have shifted several times in the last few years. We will give you a realistic current estimate when you start and keep you posted while your application is pending.

While you wait, the item stays in our custody. You cannot take possession until the transfer is approved.

A current government-issued photo ID with your current address. If your ID does not show your current Virginia address, bring a supplemental document that does, such as a vehicle registration or a recent utility bill.

If you are claiming military or first-responder pricing, bring valid ID for that as well.

Any firearm that requires an FFL has to be shipped to a licensed dealer in the buyer's state of residence, where the transfer and background check happen. We can sell to you and ship to your local FFL.

Once our online store opens, non-regulated accessories will ship directly to you.

For now, payment is handled at your appointment or by invoice once we have agreed on a build. We take card and other common methods. When the online store launches it will have checkout built for regulated and non-regulated products.

Sometimes, informally. When it helps you make a decision, John may offer a side-by-side comparison at his personal, unlicensed backyard range. It is a courtesy, not a company facility, and it is not a licensed or bonded range. That is always explained in person before anything happens.

It is in active development. We are building it carefully because firearms commerce has real compliance requirements and we would rather get it right than rush it. Leave your email on the storefront page and we will tell you the day it goes live.

We do not release the firearm while a check is delayed or after it is denied. The item stays in locked storage at our licensed premises, and the first 30 days are free while you sort it out. After that a monthly holding fee applies, on a published schedule.

Our policy for standard firearms and our policy for NFA items list the exact steps to take with the Virginia State Police, the FBI, and ATF, and the fee schedule shows how holds and refunds work.