Arkansas FFL Transfer Guide: Laws, Fees & Finding a Local FFL

Buying a firearm online and shipping it to Arkansas is simple. There is no permit to purchase, no waiting period, no state-run background check on top of the federal one, and holders of an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license, standard or enhanced, can skip the NICS call at the counter. This guide covers what to expect from an FFL transfer in Arkansas, what dealers typically charge, and the state-specific rules to know before you click “buy.”

Arkansas Does Not Require a Permit to Purchase

Arkansas does not issue a firearm owner ID card and does not require a permit or license to buy a gun. Any Arkansas resident 18 or older may purchase a long gun from a licensed dealer, and anyone 21 or older may purchase a handgun. You will need a valid Arkansas driver’s license or state ID at the FFL, plus a passing background check or a qualifying carry license in place of it.

Non-residents can purchase long guns from an Arkansas FFL as long as the sale is legal in their home state. Handguns bought in Arkansas by a non-resident must ship to an FFL in the buyer’s home state for the transfer, per federal law.

Arkansas FFL Transfer: How It Works

When you buy a firearm from an online retailer or an out-of-state private seller, federal law requires it to ship to a licensed FFL dealer in Arkansas who then completes the transfer to you. The process:

1. Find a local FFL dealer willing to accept third-party transfers and confirm their transfer fee
2. Provide the dealer’s FFL license number and address to the seller at checkout
3. The seller ships directly to your chosen FFL. Firearms cannot ship to your home address.
4. When the firearm arrives, the FFL contacts you to schedule pickup
5. At pickup, you present a valid Arkansas driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
6. You complete ATF Form 4473 and the FFL runs a NICS check, or records your CHCL in place of the check (see below)
7. Once the check returns a Proceed, you take possession of the firearm

Waiting Periods in Arkansas

Arkansas has no waiting period on any firearm purchase, handgun or long gun. If your background check clears while you are at the counter, you can leave with your firearm the same day it arrives at the FFL. Same-day pickup is the norm statewide.

Arkansas Background Check Process

Arkansas is a NICS state, not a point-of-contact state. The FFL contacts the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System directly by phone or through the E-Check portal. There is no state agency in the loop and no state fee attached to the check. Most NICS checks return a Proceed within minutes.

Arkansas is also one of the states where a carry license substitutes for the check. ATF’s Permanent Brady Permit Chart lists both the Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License (CHCL) and the Enhanced Concealed Handgun Carry License, issued by the Arkansas State Police, as qualifying NICS alternatives. Present a valid, unexpired license issued within the past five years and the dealer records it on the 4473 instead of calling NICS.

FFL Transfer Fees in Arkansas

Arkansas FFL dealers typically charge between $20 and $60 per transfer. Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas shops tend toward the upper end, while rural dealers and home-based FFLs often charge less. Always confirm the fee before shipping your firearm. Ask specifically:

• What is your transfer fee for handguns compared to long guns?
• Do you charge less for CHCL holders, since no NICS call is required?
• Are there additional fees for NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, machine guns)?
• How long do you hold a firearm after it arrives?
• Do you charge a storage fee if pickup is delayed?

Arkansas-Specific Laws to Know

Arkansas is a permitless carry state with strong preemption and few restrictions on what you can own:

• Concealed carry: Arkansas is a constitutional carry state. Act 746 of 2013 opened the door, and Act 777 of 2023 settled the debate by stating plainly that no license is required to carry a concealed handgun. Anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry without a license. The optional CHCL and Enhanced CHCL, issued by the Arkansas State Police, require applicants to be 21 (18 for military) and complete training. The enhanced license opens additional locations, including many public buildings and college campuses. See where a Arkansas permit is recognized on our concealed carry reciprocity map.
• Open carry: Legal without a license for adults who can legally possess a firearm, subject to the usual location restrictions.
• State preemption: Arkansas law preempts local firearm regulation, so cities and counties cannot add their own carry, possession, or transfer rules.
• NFA items: Suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and machine guns are legal in Arkansas with proper ATF paperwork. As of January 1, 2026, the federal tax stamp on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs dropped from $200 to $0, though the Form 4 registration process, fingerprints, and ATF approval wait still apply. Machine guns still carry the $200 tax.
• No magazine capacity limits, no assault weapon definition, no red flag law. A 2025 red flag proposal, HB 1033, was withdrawn and sent to interim study rather than enacted.
• Private sales: Arkansas does not require a background check on private, in-state, person-to-person sales between two Arkansas residents. Any transfer that crosses state lines still has to go through an FFL.

Laws change. Verify current requirements with the Arkansas State Police or the ATF before relying on anything here.

Finding an FFL Dealer in Arkansas

Not every gun shop advertises FFL transfer services prominently, and fees vary widely across the state. The fastest path is a directory like GunTransfers.com to find dealers in your area, then call to confirm their transfer fee, whether they accept a CHCL in place of NICS, and their current turnaround before providing their information to your online seller.

When evaluating a dealer, ask about their experience with the specific firearm you are buying. Some shops handle a lot of NFA items and know the paperwork cold. Others rarely see suppressors and may take longer.

Find an FFL Dealer Near You →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas has no permit-to-purchase requirement for any type of firearm. You need a valid Arkansas ID and either a passing NICS check or a valid CHCL. You must be 18 or older for a long gun and 21 or older for a handgun from a dealer.

Does my Arkansas CHCL let me skip the background check?

Yes. Both the standard CHCL and the Enhanced CHCL are listed on ATF’s Permanent Brady Permit Chart as NICS alternatives, as long as the license is current and was issued within the last five years. The dealer records it on the 4473 and does not call NICS.

Can an online seller ship a handgun directly to me in Arkansas?

No. Federal law requires all handgun transfers between residents of different states to go through a licensed FFL dealer in the buyer’s state of residence. Handguns cannot ship directly to individuals anywhere in the US.

How long does an Arkansas FFL transfer take?

Usually the same day the firearm arrives. There is no state waiting period, NICS most often returns a Proceed within minutes, and CHCL holders skip the check entirely.

Are suppressors legal in Arkansas?

Yes. Suppressors are legal to own in Arkansas with proper NFA paperwork. You file ATF Form 4, submit fingerprints and a photo, and wait for approval. As of January 1, 2026 the federal tax stamp on suppressors is $0. The suppressor ships to your Arkansas FFL and you complete the transfer there after ATF approval.

Is Arkansas a constitutional carry state?

Yes. Anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry openly or concealed in Arkansas without a license, a point the legislature made explicit in Act 777 of 2023. The optional CHCL and Enhanced CHCL remain available for reciprocity, expanded carry locations, and the NICS exemption.

The bottom line: Arkansas FFL transfers are about as easy as they come. No permit, no waiting period, no state check, and a CHCL lets you bypass NICS altogether. Find a local FFL, confirm the fee, and plan on walking out with your firearm the day it arrives.