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Frequently asked questions

The questions we hear most. If yours isn't answered here, email us — we read every message personally.

Buying firearms

Can a firearm ship directly to my house?: No. Federal law requires every firearm to ship between licensed dealers. You select a local FFL at checkout and we ship the firearm there. You complete the transfer in person at the FFL — see FFL & Compliance for the full process.
How do I find a local FFL?: Most gun shops, pawn shops, and indoor ranges hold an FFL and offer transfers for a flat fee (typically $25–$50). Search “FFL near me” or use the ATF's FFL eZ Check portal. You provide their name and address at checkout — we coordinate the rest.
What does the receiving FFL charge?: Transfer fees are set by the receiving dealer and paid directly to them at pickup, not to us. Most charge $25–$50 per firearm. Call ahead to confirm.
What ID do I need at the FFL?: A government-issued photo ID with your current address. The FFL will walk you through ATF Form 4473 and run the NICS background check. Bring your order confirmation email if they ask for it.
What if my background check is delayed or denied?: A delay isn't a denial — NICS has up to three business days. If you're denied, you can appeal directly with the FBI. The firearm stays at the FFL until the issue is resolved or you cancel the order. Restocking-fee rules in our Returns policy apply.

Does ammunition ship to my home?: Yes — factory-loaded ammunition ships to your residential address by ground service. Hazmat items (smokeless powder, primers) cannot ship to residential addresses in some states; we'll flag this at checkout if it applies.
Can I order ammo if my state restricts it?: We follow state-by-state restrictions and won't ship items that violate your state's law (e.g. CA requires an in-state FFL for ammo). If your state restricts the item, the order will be cancelled and refunded.
Are accessories shipped from the same warehouse as firearms?: Most of our inventory ships from our authorized wholesaler partner's warehouse. If your order includes both a firearm and accessories, you'll typically receive separate tracking — the firearm goes to your FFL and the accessories ship to your door.

How long until my order ships?: Orders typically ship within 1–2 business days of payment clearing. Firearms can take an extra day or two while we verify the receiving FFL is current. Tracking is emailed when the label prints.
How are shipping rates calculated?: We pass through carrier rates plus a small handling fee. Full rate table on our Shipping & Delivery page.
Do you ship internationally?: No. We ship within the United States only.
Can I change the shipping address after I order?: Reach out to support immediately if the order hasn't shipped. Once a label has printed, the carrier charges $20 per parcel for an address correction or intercept, which we have to pass through.

What is your return window?: 30 days on most items, 15% restocking fee. Firearms are non-returnable once transferred. Full details on our Returns & Exchanges page.
My package arrived damaged. What do I do?: Email support@dawson-defense.com within 5 business days with photos of the damage and packaging. We'll work with you on a replacement, repair, or full refund.
How do I get warranty service?: Manufacturer warranties cover the products we sell. Contact the manufacturer directly using the details supplied with the product. We're happy to point you in the right direction if you can't find a contact.

Need help?

Email support@dawson-defense.com — we respond within one business day.