ATF Proposes Direct-to-Door Firearm Shipping — Major Change Could Reshape Gun Sales

The ATF is proposing a way for firearm sales to be completed digitally and remotely.

The ATF just proposed one of the biggest changes to firearm purchasing in decades. New ATF director Robert Cekada has been busy at work attempting to reshape the agency from within. The agency is not stopping there where they are attempting to update shipping policies on firearms.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has unveiled a new proposed rule titled “Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements”. The proposal would allow federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) to ship firearms directly to buyers. There are still some restrictions here, however. The buyer must be within the same state, and would have to complete remote identity verification and background checks.

But this rule would allow you to potentially complete the entire firearm purchase process online and have the firearm shipped directly to your door. This would be a huge win for gun owners and a massive expanding of your constitutional rights.

How It Would Work

Under the proposal buyers submit ATF Form 4473 electronically and upload government-issued photo identification. They then will have to complete remote identity verification and participate in a live video verification with the dealer. Once all of that is complete, they will undergo a standard NICS background check just like at the gun store.

The system would use security standards based on NIST SP 800-63-4 protocols. This includes identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) and multi-factor authentication for returning customers. All this is to say that the ATF is attempting to modernize firearm transfers using secure digital identity systems already used elsewhere in government and finance.

Important Caveat

This does NOT eliminate background checks. This change will NOT bypass existing laws already on the books. The proposal still includes the mandatory NICS checks and waiting periods where applicable. Us FFLs are still under the CLEO notification and current federal recordkeeping requirements. The only thing this proposal does is allow the process to happen remotely.

Why This Is a Big Deal

This is a game changer for many FFLs like us here at 2 If By Sea Tactical and rural gun buyers. Gun owners that are far from the traditional gun shop will have their ability to exercise their rights dramatically improved. It will also expand local FFLs reach as they will be able to expand their customer base within their state. This is something national gun companies would not be able to do under this proposal. Perhaps the biggest change is the increased convenience of exercising your rights to purchase a firearm from the comfort of your own home similar to any other online purchase you might make.

Expanded Competition

For gun buyers you will see more streamlined sales and increased market competition. This would go a long way to improving pricing and expanding consumer choice. For those who are terrified of this new proposed rule, there are versions of this process already in existence in the NFA world.

Suppressor purchases often involve digital paperwork, remote verification, dealer networks, and shipment coordination. The ATF appears to be adapting similar concepts for standard firearms regulated under the Gun Control Act. This again attempts to bring the Gun Control Act into the modern digital world.

The Legal Basis

The ATF argues the Gun Control Act already permits non-over-the-counter firearm transactions. According to the proposal the law never explicitly required all transfers to happen face-to-face in a storefront. The agency also argues that modern technology now allows secure remote verification that simply wasn’t possible in 1968. These modern processes were not even available in 1993 during the Brady Act era updates. We now have the technology to safely do this.

The Anti-Gun Lobby Is Going to Hate This

No lets state the obvious fact, if finalized this proposal will absolutely send anti-gun groups into panic mode. The reason for this has nothing to do with public safety but the removal of barriers from those wanting to acquire firearms. These groups push hard for more restrictions and barriers to ownership which is the complete opposite what this rule change is attempting to do.

The Privacy Concerns

Now with this rule change, if adopted, there are also legitimate concerns worth watching carefully. Because while convenience is good, expanded digital verification systems also raise privacy questions. As gun owners we should pay close attention to how the ATF is storing this data.

We should also be wary of the third-party identity providers that will be required and what security standards are put in place. Another issue will be what are the long-term retention policies that will be required when utilizing this new system. This is especially true in an era where governments and corporations increasingly collect personal information.

The Economic Impact

The ATF estimates the proposal could generate well over $100 million in deregulatory savings over 10 years. This would include reduced travel costs, reduced business burdens, and more efficient processing. All of these things are huge win for gun owners.

What Happens Next

Like all proposed rules, it now enters a 90-day public comment period. We are encouraging all of our readers to comment in support of this rule change. After that period the ATF will review comments and could possibly make revisions based on them. Once all of this happens, the final rule may eventually be issued.

If all of that happens and this does go into effect you can absolutely expect heavy opposition from gun control organizations. There will no doubt be lawsuits and pressure campaigns waged on this rule. We here at 2 If By Sea Tactical, however, are planning on being among those that enter this fray and deliver for all gun owners in Minnesota.

Regardless of all of that this proposal represents a major shift in how firearm purchases could work in America. If it is finalized, it would modernize firearm commerce dramatically. The biggest winners would be rural Americans and disabled buyers. However, many people will benefit from it as many of use are becoming increasingly busy in our daily lives.

Smaller dealers like us would also benefit greatly from this as the restriction in this rule is the customer has to reside in the dealer’s state. This would allow us to expand our reach within our prospective states in a way the larger more national retailers cannot.

This rule is not without some concerns though. It does also raises important questions about privacy and digital identity systems. It also raises concerns on how federal oversight will be conducted. However, this is something we are excited to implement if it goes through. Stay tuned here for any updates as this progresses.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world.  As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.