Buying a Ruger online: FFL transfer rules by state

Ruger makes handguns, rifles and shotguns, and the rules for receiving each are a little different. Every firearm bought online ships to a federally licensed dealer, an FFL, who completes the transfer with you under federal law plus your state's additions. This guide explains the process, the age and category rules, and then sorts the states by what they add. It is general information as of September 2026, not legal advice; laws change, so confirm with your state police or attorney general. We are an independent store, not affiliated with Sturm, Ruger and Co.

Federal rules everywhere

Age 21 for a handgun from a dealer: every Ruger pistol and revolver, including the .22s.
Age 18 for a rifle or shotgun: the 10/22, American, Mini-14, PC Carbine and the rest of the long guns.
Pickup in your state of residence with government photo ID showing your current address. Long guns may be picked up in a neighboring state if the sale is legal in both states and the dealer allows it.
ATF Form 4473 and an FBI NICS background check, or a state check in point-of-contact states.

The transfer, step by step

Choose a dealer and ask the fee. Transfer fees commonly run $20 to $75; some dealers charge less for long guns.
Order and name the dealer. Price and stock are confirmed live before you pay.
We verify and ship. We confirm the dealer's license and ship with tracking and adult signature.
Pick up. Form 4473, the check, any state paperwork or wait, then the firearm is yours. Magazines, optics, parts and ammunition ordered with it ship to your door where legal.

States that add nothing

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Virginia is the same with a one-handgun-per-30-days limit. Nevada and Pennsylvania run the check through a state system rather than the FBI; nothing changes for you.

States with a waiting period

California 10 days for everything; Colorado 3 days for everything; Florida 3 days for handguns, or longer if the check takes longer; Hawaii 14 days; Illinois 72 hours; Maine 72 hours; Maryland 7 days for handguns; New Mexico 7 days; Rhode Island 7 days; Vermont 72 hours; Washington 10 days. Minnesota's purchase permit takes up to 7 days to issue. Plan a second trip to the dealer.

States with a permit or card first

Illinois FOID card for any firearm. Massachusetts LTC or FID. New Jersey Firearms Purchaser ID card for long guns and a per-handgun permit for pistols and revolvers. New York pistol license for handguns; long guns need a background check and, in New York City, a permit. Connecticut pistol permit or eligibility certificate for handguns, and a long-gun certificate or permit for rifles. Maryland Handgun Qualification License for handguns. Hawaii permit to acquire. Minnesota permit to purchase or permit to carry for handguns and semi-automatic military-style rifles, which can include the Mini-14 depending on configuration. Iowa permit to acquire or permit to carry for handguns. Michigan dealers run the check directly; private handgun sales need a purchase license.

Age 21 for long guns

California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont and Washington set 21 for all firearm purchases, so a 10/22 or American rifle goes to a 21-year-old there. Several other states set 21 for semi-automatic rifles, which affects the Mini-14 and PC Carbine but not bolt-action Americans or the 10/22 in every case; check your state.

Rosters and feature rules

California and Massachusetts allow dealers to transfer only handguns on their approved lists. Ruger has more models on the California roster than most makers, particularly revolvers such as the GP100, SP101 and LCR, while the newer striker pistols such as the MAX-9 are generally not listed. Feature-based rifle rules in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Washington restrict some configurations of the Mini-14, PC Carbine and AR-556; Ruger sells state-compliant versions of several. Threaded barrels on handguns are regulated in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, which affects threaded models of the Mark IV and 22/45.

Magazine limits

California, Colorado (15), Connecticut, Delaware (17), Hawaii, Illinois (10 for long guns, 15 for handguns), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont (10 for long guns, 15 for handguns), Washington and the District of Columbia cap magazine capacity. That covers the BX-15 and BX-25 for the 10/22, the 12-round MAX-9 and LCP MAX magazines, and Mini-14 and PC Carbine magazines over the limit. Ruger's rotary BX-1 and 10-round versions of most pistols are the compliant answers, and we ship only compliant magazines to those addresses. Revolvers are unaffected.

Carry after purchase

Carry law is separate from purchase law. Most states allow permitless concealed carry from 21; others issue permits through the sheriff, a court or the state police. Every one of our city pages summarizes its state's rule and names the office. The LCP MAX vs MAX-9 guide and the revolver guide cover the carry guns.

Hunting rifles and seasons

A deer rifle is a long gun and transfers at 18 in most states. Which cartridges are legal for deer varies, with straight-wall requirements in several Midwestern states; the American rifle guide covers that, and each city page names the hunting zone and season structure for its state.

Delays, denials and returns

A NICS delay gives the FBI three business days; many dealers wait for a definite proceed. A denial can be appealed with the FBI. If a transfer cannot be completed, the dealer returns the firearm and we refund the price less shipping, as set out on the shipping page.

Questions before ordering are welcome through the contact page. For the rifle most Ruger households start with, read the 10/22 guide; then browse all Ruger in the catalog.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.