All legal commercial firearm sales must go through a , typically a gun store or range.

: Some states require a Permit to Purchase or a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card (e.g., Illinois or New Jersey) before you can even initiate a sale. 2. Choose a Firearm and a Licensed Dealer

Before beginning, you must ensure you meet federal and state requirements.

: You cannot legally purchase a firearm if you fall into certain categories, such as being a convicted felon, a fugitive, an unlawful user of controlled substances, or having been adjudicated as "mentally defective".

Once you have selected a firearm at a dealership, you must complete , the "Firearms Transaction Record".

: You must answer a series of "yes/no" questions regarding your criminal history and mental health status. Lying on this form is a federal felony. 4. The Background Check Firearms Checks (NICS) - FBI