Last updated: May 31, 2026
Our policy on restricted-state shipments — read this first
TheGunDock sells to every state and U.S. territory, including the restricted states listed below. Here is the line we draw:
- We will ship to your state if you have the proper credentials to legally own the item (state-issued permit, FOID, HQL, eligibility certificate, Blue Card, FID/LTC, pistol license, etc. — whatever your state requires). Your receiving FFL verifies your credentials before release.
- We will swap magazines for compliant capacity if your state caps magazines (e.g., a factory 17-rd Glock magazine will be replaced with a 10-rd magazine before shipping to a 10-cap state). The firearm itself ships normally.
- We do NOT modify firearms. We will not pin and weld barrels, add featureless conversion kits, install fixed-magazine devices ("California featureless" kits), grind off threads, or otherwise alter the firearm to make it compliant for your jurisdiction. If the firearm is non-compliant out of the box, we won't ship it — you'll need to source a state-compliant variant from a different seller, or wait for a manufacturer-built compliant version.
- Off-roster handguns (CA, MA, MD) won't ship to civilians in those states even with proper permits — the roster is the gating rule, not the permit.
- Federally-banned items (full-auto without proper NFA paperwork, auto-sears, Glock switches, lightning links, unregistered SBR/SBS/silencer, DIAS, etc.) will not ship anywhere regardless of state.
Who this page is for
- Buyers: If you're ordering from TheGunDock and live in (or are shipping to an FFL in) one of the states below, this is what we can and can't ship to you, and what the receiving FFL will need from you at pickup.
- FFL dealers and private sellers: If you're handling an inbound transfer from out of state, or facilitating a private-party transfer (PPT), the "for sellers" note on each state summarizes the FFL-side compliance work that has to happen before release.
- New firearm owners considering buying online: States not listed here are treated as federal-default: 4473 background check at the receiving FFL, no state-level magazine cap, no roster, no permit requirement. Constitutional-carry states (KY, TX, TN, AL, OK, and others) have no additional permit requirements at point of purchase.
The big-picture process for any out-of-state firearm purchase
- Buyer orders online from TheGunDock (or another out-of-state retailer).
- Receiving FFL is selected at checkout. The buyer is responsible for choosing an FFL near them that will accept the transfer (most charge $25-$50).
- Seller ships firearm to the receiving FFL with required ATF paperwork. No firearm is shipped directly to a customer's home.
- Receiving FFL logs firearm into bound book and notifies the buyer.
- Buyer goes to the FFL and completes the ATF Form 4473 background check.
- Receiving FFL verifies state-specific requirements (permit, waiting period, roster eligibility, magazine cap, training certificate) before releasing the firearm.
- Firearm is released to the buyer when all federal and state requirements are met.
Restricted-state breakdown
Click a state to jump to it. Severity is TheGunDock's internal rating of how much restriction the state adds beyond federal law — not a value judgment of the state.
California (CA) · Connecticut (CT) · District of Columbia (DC) · Hawaii (HI) · Illinois (IL) · Massachusetts (MA) · Maryland (MD) · New Jersey (NJ) · New York (NY) · Oregon (OR) · Rhode Island (RI) · Virginia (VA) · Washington (WA)
California (CA) — High restriction
California maintains the most expansive state-level firearm regulation in the U.S. The "Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale" governs which handgun models can be sold new to consumers; off-roster models cannot ship to California residents without a narrow LE/dealer exemption. The state-level Assault Weapons Control Act limits semi-auto rifles with certain feature combinations. Magazines over 10 rounds cannot ship to California civilians. A 10-day waiting period applies to every firearm transfer. AB 28 (effective July 1, 2024) added an 11% state excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales.
What we can ship to California buyers
- Handguns currently on the California-approved Roster
- CA-compliant long guns (featureless or otherwise legal configurations)
- Magazines with 10-round or lower capacity
- Most optics, slings, holsters, parts (verify regulated parts)
What we can't ship to California buyers
- Off-roster handguns to non-LE California residents
- Standard-capacity (over 10 round) magazines
- Assault-weapon configurations (most AR-pattern rifles unless featureless)
- Ammunition direct to consumer (CA requires in-person ammo background check; ship to a CA ammo vendor)
For sellers and receiving FFLs in California
CA requires private firearm sales to go through a CA-licensed FFL ("PPT" - private party transfer) with the standard 10-day wait and roster verification. CA FFLs receiving an out-of-state transfer must enforce the same roster + AWB restrictions on the recipient.
Cities we serve in California →
Connecticut (CT) — High restriction
Connecticut requires a state-issued permit (eligibility certificate or carry permit) for handgun and long-gun purchase. The 2013 Assault Weapons Ban prohibits a broad list of semi-auto rifles by name and feature. Magazines over 10 rounds cannot be transferred to non-permitted civilians.
What we can ship to Connecticut buyers
- Hunting and sporting long guns not on the CT banned list
- Handguns to buyers with a valid CT eligibility certificate
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
- Optics, parts, accessories (verify regulated parts)
What we can't ship to Connecticut buyers
- Named/feature-test assault weapons
- Magazines over 10 rounds
- Firearms to buyers without the required CT permit on file with the receiving FFL
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Connecticut
CT requires private sales to be conducted through an FFL with full background check + permit verification. No FTF (face-to-face) private transfers between non-related parties.
Cities we serve in Connecticut →
District of Columbia (DC) — High restriction
The District of Columbia has highly restrictive firearm regulations, a registration requirement for every firearm, and limits on magazine capacity. Only certain handguns are eligible for registration.
What we can ship to District of Columbia buyers
- Long guns eligible for DC registration
- Handguns on the DC-approved registry
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to District of Columbia buyers
- Unregisterable handgun models
- Magazines over 10 rounds
- Assault weapons as DC defines them
For sellers and receiving FFLs in District of Columbia
All transfers must go through the DC firearm registration process. There is no FFL-mediated PPT exception; all firearms must be individually registered with MPD.
Cities we serve in District of Columbia →
Hawaii (HI) — High restriction
Hawaii requires a permit to acquire any firearm. Permit processing must be complete before a transfer. The state has restrictions on magazine capacity and semi-auto rifle configurations.
What we can ship to Hawaii buyers
- Hunting and sporting long guns to permitted buyers
- Handguns to buyers with a valid Hawaii permit on file with the FFL
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less for handguns
What we can't ship to Hawaii buyers
- Firearms without a valid Hawaii permit on file at the receiving FFL
- Handgun magazines over 10 rounds
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Hawaii
All firearm transfers (commercial or private) require county police permit registration. Private sales must be reported to the county chief of police within a fixed window.
Illinois (IL) — High restriction
Illinois requires a FOID (Firearm Owner Identification) card for purchase of any firearm or ammunition. The 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the sale of a broad list of assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles, and magazines over 10 rounds (long guns) or 15 rounds (handguns). Existing-owner grandfather provisions apply but new sales are restricted.
What we can ship to Illinois buyers
- Firearms permitted under the 2023 PICA to buyers with a valid FOID
- Magazines within IL capacity limits (10 long-gun / 15 handgun)
- Optics, parts, accessories
What we can't ship to Illinois buyers
- Banned assault weapons under PICA
- .50 caliber rifles
- Magazines exceeding IL capacity limits
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Illinois
Private sales in IL require FOID verification of the buyer and 24-hour ISP record check. ISP issues a confirmation code that must be retained for 10 years. Chicago requires a separate Concealed Carry License + additional ordinances for transport.
Massachusetts (MA) — High restriction
Massachusetts requires an FID card (rifle/shotgun) or LTC (handgun) for any firearm purchase. The state maintains an Attorney General-approved handgun roster; off-roster handguns generally cannot ship to MA civilians. The 1998 Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban and 2024 amendments restrict a wide range of semi-auto firearms by name and feature. Magazines over 10 rounds are restricted to pre-1994 grandfathered or LE.
What we can ship to Massachusetts buyers
- Roster-approved handguns to LTC holders
- Long guns not on the MA banned list
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to Massachusetts buyers
- Off-roster handguns to MA civilians
- Named or feature-test assault weapons
- Magazines over 10 rounds
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Massachusetts
MA requires a Massachusetts FA-10 record of transfer for any firearm transfer (commercial or private). Private sales between unlicensed parties require an FFL or an EOPSS-eligible-buyer letter.
Cities we serve in Massachusetts →
Maryland (MD) — High restriction
Maryland requires a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) for handgun purchases. The state maintains a Handgun Roster (purchases must be roster-approved). Assault weapons listed in the Firearm Safety Act of 2013 cannot be transferred to civilians. Magazines over 10 rounds cannot be sold in-state.
What we can ship to Maryland buyers
- Roster-approved handguns to HQL holders
- Long guns not on the MD banned list
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to Maryland buyers
- Off-roster handguns
- Named or feature-test assault weapons
- Magazines over 10 rounds
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Maryland
Private sales of regulated firearms (handguns + assault weapons) must go through an FFL with HQL verification. Long-gun private sales are less restricted.
New Jersey (NJ) — High restriction
New Jersey requires a Firearms Purchaser ID Card (long guns) or Permit to Purchase a Handgun (one per handgun). The state has an assault-weapon ban and a magazine-capacity limit of 10 rounds. Hollow-point ammunition has restrictions on possession outside home/range.
What we can ship to New Jersey buyers
- Long guns to FPID holders
- Handguns to buyers with a valid Permit to Purchase on file with the FFL
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to New Jersey buyers
- Banned assault weapons
- Magazines over 10 rounds
- Firearms without the required NJ permit on file at the receiving FFL
For sellers and receiving FFLs in New Jersey
All private sales must go through an FFL with the buyer's FPID/Permit to Purchase verified. Each handgun purchase consumes one Permit to Purchase regardless of channel.
Cities we serve in New Jersey →
New York (NY) — High restriction
New York requires a permit to purchase any firearm (including semi-auto rifles as of 2022). The NY SAFE Act bans named/feature-test assault weapons and limits magazines to 10 rounds. NYC and several other municipalities impose additional permitting requirements.
What we can ship to New York buyers
- Long guns to permit holders (semi-auto requires semi-auto rifle license under 2022 law)
- Handguns to NY pistol license holders
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to New York buyers
- Named or feature-test assault weapons
- Magazines over 10 rounds
- Firearms without the required permit on file at the receiving FFL
For sellers and receiving FFLs in New York
All NY private sales require an FFL-mediated background check. NYC has its own NYPD pistol permit + long-gun permit system distinct from upstate; buyer must hold the appropriate NYPD permit even if also holding an upstate license.
Oregon (OR) — Medium restriction
Oregon Measure 114 (passed November 2022) requires a permit-to-purchase and bans magazines over 10 rounds. The law is in active litigation; implementation status changes frequently. Confirm current status before ordering.
What we can ship to Oregon buyers
- Firearms and magazines compliant with current Measure 114 implementation status
- Optics, parts, accessories
What we can't ship to Oregon buyers
- Items prohibited under the current enforcement state of Measure 114
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Oregon
OR requires a background check on all private sales via an FFL. Measure 114 (when enforced) adds a permit-to-purchase requirement to all transfers.
Rhode Island (RI) — Medium restriction
Rhode Island requires a Pistol Safety Certificate and a state-administered Blue Card for handgun purchases. 2022 legislation bans magazines over 10 rounds.
What we can ship to Rhode Island buyers
- Long guns to RI residents
- Handguns to Blue Card holders
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to Rhode Island buyers
- Magazines over 10 rounds
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Rhode Island
Private handgun sales must be conducted through a Blue Card holder + 7-day waiting period. Long-gun private sales require a 7-day wait + background check.
Cities we serve in Rhode Island →
Virginia (VA) — Low-Medium restriction
Virginia expanded background-check requirements in 2020 (universal background check on private sales). The 2024 legislative session added restrictions on auto-sears and Glock-switch-style accessories. A handgun-purchase one-per-month rule applies to certain buyers. Most standard firearms ship to VA without issue.
What we can ship to Virginia buyers
- Standard handguns and long guns
- Standard-capacity magazines
- Most accessories, optics, parts
What we can't ship to Virginia buyers
- Auto-sears, lightning links, Glock switches, or any other unregulated full-auto-conversion device (federal NFA + VA prohibition)
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Virginia
VA requires universal background check on ALL private sales — must go through an FFL with full 4473. 2024 expansion adds explicit prohibition on auto-sear / switch transfers regardless of channel.
Washington (WA) — Medium-High restriction
Washington bans the sale of new assault weapons (HB 1240, effective 2023) and limits magazines to 10 rounds (since 2022). A 10-day waiting period applies to handgun purchases. Background check + state-mandated safety training applies to handgun buyers.
What we can ship to Washington buyers
- Long guns not on the WA banned list
- Handguns subject to 10-day wait
- Magazines of 10 rounds or less
What we can't ship to Washington buyers
- Banned assault weapons under HB 1240
- Magazines over 10 rounds
For sellers and receiving FFLs in Washington
WA requires universal background check on all firearm transfers (commercial or private), with very narrow family-member exceptions. WA also requires a state-mandated safety-training certificate for handgun buyers.
Cities we serve in Washington →
Federal baseline (all 50 states)
- ATF Form 4473 background check at the receiving FFL before any firearm is released.
- Buyer must be 18+ for long guns, 21+ for handguns under federal law.
- NFA-regulated items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs, machine guns) require ATF Form 4 + $200 tax stamp + 4-12 month wait. Buyer must hold or use an SOT-licensed FFL.
- Cross-state direct sales to a buyer's home are prohibited federally for any firearm. Must always ship to an FFL.
For private sellers (FFL-to-FFL or PPT considerations)
If you're a private seller doing an interstate transfer, federal law requires both the shipping and receiving sides to involve FFLs. The shipping FFL handles the export log; the receiving FFL handles the 4473 + state compliance. PPTs (private-party transfers within the same state) follow state law — most red-state PPTs require no paperwork; most blue-state PPTs require an FFL-mediated background check (see per-state notes above).
Questions about a specific purchase?
If you're unsure whether something we sell ships into your state, the fastest path is to message us through the contact form. Include the specific SKU and your destination FFL's address, and we'll check before you commit to the order.
Last reviewed by TheGunDock compliance: May 31, 2026. State laws can change between updates; verify with your receiving FFL and state Attorney General's office before any purchase.