Bought a firearm online somewhere else? Have it shipped to M E Arms and pick it up here. We handle the paperwork at the counter.

Transfer fees

All fees are per firearm. Same-day pickup applies to standard and private party transfers when picked up on the same calendar day delivered.

How it works

1. Choose us as FFL; selling dealer requests our license.
2. Dealer emails FFL@MEArms.com and includes a copy of their license.
3. We receive, log, and inspect the firearm, then call when ready.
4. Bring valid Texas ID, complete ATF Form 4473, and pay at pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone else pick up my firearm for me?

No—federal law requires that only the person named on the transfer may take possession of the firearm. A spouse, family member, or friend cannot pick it up on your behalf, even with written permission. Please make sure you are available to come in for pickup.

Tracking says my firearm was delivered—can I come pick it up?

Not yet. Delivery confirmation only means the package arrived at our shop—it does not mean your firearm has been logged, inspected, and entered into our records. Please wait for our call before coming in. Note that picking up on the same calendar day your firearm is delivered incurs a $20 same-day pickup fee, even if you waited for our call—pick up the next business day or later to avoid it. If you have not heard from us within 24 hours of confirmed delivery, give us a call.

What is the same-day pickup fee and when does it apply?

The $20 same-day pickup fee applies to standard and private party transfers, and is charged whenever a firearm is picked up on the same calendar day it was delivered to us—even if you waited for our call. It covers the added handling required to process and release a firearm the same day it arrives. To avoid this fee, simply pick up the next business day or later.

How will you contact me when my firearm is ready?

We will call you at the phone number provided by the shipper when your order was placed. Make sure that number is current and correct when you place your order. If you haven’t heard from us within 24 hours of confirmed delivery, give us a call.

What happens if I don’t pick up my firearm?

Storage fees of $1.50/day apply after 30 days. Any unclaimed firearm or item will become the property of M E Firearms after 60 days with no further obligation. We make exceptions for active service members—if you are deployed or will be unavailable, contact us before your 30-day window and we will work with you.

Do I need a Texas ID to pick up a transfer?

Yes—you must be a Texas resident and present a valid Texas ID that matches the name on the transfer. Out-of-state IDs are not accepted.

How do I know if my transfer is standard or private party?

If you’re buying from a licensed firearms dealer, online retailer, or gun shop—even through a platform like GunBroker—it’s a standard transfer ($35). If the seller is a private individual, it’s a private party transfer ($50).

When does the private party transfer form need to be filled out, and can it save me money?

The Private Party Transfer Form is required when a private individual is shipping a firearm directly to us without going through an FFL. The seller must complete and provide the form before the firearm ships. When the form is submitted with the shipment, the transfer fee is discounted from $50 down to $35. Without the form, the full $50 fee applies. Download the form here.

Does my Texas LTC help with the transfer?

Yes—if you have a valid Texas License to Carry, bring it when you come in. It substitutes for the instant background check and can speed up the pickup process significantly.

How do I get your FFL information to send to a dealer?

We only provide our FFL license to the shipping FFL upon their direct request. Have the selling dealer email us at FFL@MEArms.com and include a copy of their license in the email. We will respond promptly with ours.

Do I need to handle any NFA paperwork myself?

For a standard NFA transfer from a licensed FFL/SOT dealer, no—we handle the Form 3 and Form 4 paperwork between dealers. You simply come in, complete your Form 4473, and pick up your item once everything is approved. The exception is an NFA private party transfer ($150), where both buyer and seller must be present as this is a different process.

Do I need an NFA trust?

A trust is not required to purchase an NFA item—you can register it as an individual. However, if you do use a trust or LLC, bring a copy of the trust documents when you come in, as they are required to file. Trusts also require fingerprints to be on file with us.

Why do fingerprints have to be on file for NFA transfers?

ATF requires fingerprint cards as part of the NFA transfer process. If you’ve done an NFA transfer with us before, your prints may already be on file—just let us know when you come in and we’ll check.

What is an ATF eForms account and do I need one?

ATF eForms is the online system used to submit NFA paperwork electronically. You’ll need an account, your account ID, the email address tied to it, and your PIN. If you don’t have an account yet, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through setting one up when you come in.

Can I have a firearm shipped here before I pay?

Yes—the transfer fee is collected at pickup, not when the firearm arrives. You don’t need to pay anything upfront.