Nowadays, you can purchase anything you want online, including firearms. But whether you are buying a gun for an investment, for sporting purposes or for self-defense, you may not have the money to pay for it all upfront. In that case, financing your firearm is an option—but it’s important to know the pros and cons before taking advantage of this service. Let’s take a look at what financing your firearm entails so you can make an educated decision about whether or not it’s right for you.
Buying a firearm online can be an intimidating process. Not only do you have to navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding firearms, but you also need to figure out a way to pay for it. Fortunately, many online retailers offer financing options that make it easier for customers to purchase their desired products. But what are the pros and cons of financing firearms online?
Contents
How To Buy A Gun Online
Before we get the pros and cons, we must first go over the steps of how one does buy a gun online legally. Like anything else, guns can be purchased on the internet. The process for doing so is relatively simple:
- Find a reputable online gun dealer (which we list later on in the article).
- Choose the gun(s) that you want and add them to your cart.
- Sign up for financing, if you need it, and pay for your purchase.
- Arrange firearm transfer to a local dealer with a Federal Firearms License (FFL). The online store cannot send the gun directly to your doorstep in the mail (keep reading for ways around this).
- Pick up your purchase at FFL dealer. Make sure you bring a government-issued photo ID showing your photograph and make sure it contains your current address.
How To Finance Firearms Online
Now that you know where to buy guns online, let’s take a look at how you can finance your firearm purchases. In general, most online retailers that offer guns also offer financing options. These typically involve a third-party lender, such as Credova, Affirm, Klarna or Sezzle, who will assess your creditworthiness and offer you a loan with an interest rate and repayment terms.
Best Online Gun Stores That Offer Financing
Buy A Gun Now, Pay Later
Because guns are heavily regulated, it is important to make sure that you are buying from a legitimate online dealer. The following list contains some of the most reputable online retailers that offer financing guns:
| Online Gun Store | Website Link | Financing Option |
|---|---|---|
| Academy | academy.com | Klarna |
| Air Gun Depot | airgundepots.com | Affirm |
| Bass Pro Shops | basspro.com | Sezzle |
| Bereli | bereli.com | Credova |
| Beretta | beretta.com | Sezzle |
| Brownells | brownells.com | Credova |
| Cabela's | cabelas.com | Cabela's CLUB Card |
| EuroOptic | eurooptic.com | Credova |
| Guns.com | guns.com | Credova |
| Impact Guns | impactguns.com | Credova |
| Kygunco | kygunco.com | Credova |
| Scheels | scheels.com | Scheels Visa Card |
| Sportsman's Guide | sportsmansguide.com | Sezzle |
| Sportsman's Wareshouse | sportsmans.com | PayPal Credit |
| WMD Guns | wmdguns.com | Credova |
Pros of Financing Firearms Online
Financing guns online has its share of advantages. Here are some of the main pros of financing firearms online:
Less Expensive
Because online businesses don’t have the expenses associated with physical stores, they can sell their products at a lower price. This means that you can get a better deal on guns and other firearms if you buy them online.
Convenience
The biggest pro of financing firearms online is convenience. Many online retailers offer financing options that don’t require a credit check or lengthy application process. This makes it much easier for customers to purchase their desired product without having to wait for approval from a lender. Furthermore, financing options often come with lower interest rates than traditional lenders, making them more attractive to customers who are on a budget.
Valentina Bolivar, Mental Health and Physical Wellness Officer for Hot Frameworks, agrees with the convenience aspect and had this to say, “I am personally for buying firearms online. I think that it is a more convenient way to purchase a gun, and I think that it is a way to get around gun control laws. I also think that it is important for law-abiding citizens to be able to have easy access to firearms in case of an emergency. I do not think that it is easy for criminals to get their hands on firearms online, because there are many steps that they have to take in order to purchase a gun.”
Flexibility
Another pro of financing firearms online is flexibility. Most online retailers offer payment plans that allow customers to spread out their payments over time, thus making them more affordable in the long run. Additionally, some retailers even allow customers to put down a larger initial payment and then pay off the remainder over time with no additional fees or interest charges. This kind of flexibility makes it much easier for people to purchase the firearm they want without having to worry about breaking their budget.
Resources
Another benefit is that many websites that offer firearm financing also provide helpful resources such as tips on how to properly care for and store firearms safely. This information can help keep gun owners informed about their responsibilities when owning a firearm, which in turn helps keep them safe while using their new gun.
Additional Pros
Ysaf Khan, head of Business Development at Startups Anonymous came up with some more pros:
- You can get a better deal online.
- You can often find a wider selection of firearms online.
- You can research firearms before you buy them.
- You can find out about the quality and history of the firearm.
- You can find reviews of firearms online.
Cons of Financing Firearms Online
There are also some drawbacks to financing guns online. Here are some of the main cons of financing firearms online:
Hidden Costs
One of the biggest cons of financing firearms online is hidden costs. While most retailers advertise low-interest rates and flexible payment plans, these deals often come with hidden fees that can add up quickly if not accounted for in advance. Furthermore, some retailers may even charge late fees if payments aren’t made on time or require customers to pay additional money if they choose to pay off their balance early. It’s important for potential buyers to read all terms and conditions before entering into any type of finance agreement so that they understand exactly what they’re getting into before signing on the dotted line.
Also, most FFL dealers charge a fee for their time and service so keep that in mind. Because of potential issues with finding a local FFL, and the fact that some FFL dealers may charge a high of transfer fee, some people are getting their own Federal Firearms Licenses to have the guns shipping straight to them.
Higher Interest Rates
One downside to financing your firearm online is that interest rates on these loans tend to be higher than those offered by banks and credit unions. Additionally, depending on where you live and the type of loan you apply for, there may be additional fees associated with the loan process as well as restrictions on how much money can be borrowed and over what period of time. It’s important to carefully read through any contracts or agreements before signing them so that you know exactly what fees are being charged and what kind of repayment plan is expected from borrowers.
Wait For Shipping
Finally, another con of financing guns online is that buyers must wait for their guns to be shipped. This can often take several weeks and will require buyers to have a valid permit for the guns in their state of residence. This can be a hassle, especially if you need your guns quickly.
Additional Cons
Ysaf Khan also had some cons about financing firearms:
- You may not be able to inspect the firearm before you buy it.
- You may not be able to test the firearm before you buy it.
- There is a greater risk of being scammed when buying a firearm online.
- It can be more difficult to return a firearm that you’ve bought online.
- There is a greater risk of buying a defective firearm online.
Financing Firearms FAQs
To ensure that you understand the pros and cons of financing guns online, here are some FAQs about firearm financing:
Is there financing for firearms?
Yes, there are several options for financing firearms online. Many retailers offer low-interest rates and flexible payment plans that make it easier for people to purchase guns without breaking their budget. However, it’s important to read all terms and conditions before entering into any type of finance agreement as hidden fees and higher interest rates may exist.
Are guns more expensive online?
Usually guns are less expensive online because retailers do not need to pay for the overhead of a physical store. However, guns can be more expensive online due to shipping fees and taxes that may be applied by some states.
What type of guns can be bought online?
The types of guns that can be purchased online vary depending on the retailer and state laws. Generally, guns such as pistols, rifles, and shotguns are easy to find online but more obscure guns may be harder to find.
Are guns safe to buy online?
Generally speaking, guns are safe to purchase online. However, it is important to only buy guns from reputable dealers and to take extra caution when buying guns online. It is also important to adhere to all local laws regarding the purchase, possession, and transportation of guns.
Will buy now pay later options on guns worsen America’s gun violence problem?
There is no evidence that guns purchased through buy now pay later options are more likely to be used in acts of violence. In fact, guns purchased through these options are subject to the same federal background checks as guns purchased through traditional means. Therefore, guns purchased through buy now pay later options should not worsen America’s gun violence problem.
Conclusion
Financing firearms online has its pros and cons like any other purchase option available today. Understanding these advantages and disadvantages will help gun owners make an informed decision about whether or not this is the best way for them to purchase their firearm(s). In most cases, financing firearms online allows people who cannot afford the full cost upfront to still acquire a weapon legally — but potential buyers should always do their research first in order to ensure they are making an educated decision about their purchase options.
