How to Buy a Gun Online in Idaho
Idaho Gun Shop ships rifles, handguns, shotguns and ammunition from Boise across Idaho. You order online, and every firearm is sent to a licensed FFL dealer that you choose in the state. The dealer completes the paperwork and the background check when you pick the gun up. This guide explains how that process works and what the Idaho rules say.
How ordering online and shipping to a local dealer works
Buying a firearm online follows four steps. The steps are the same whether you are buying a rifle, a shotgun or a handgun, and the dealer you choose is the only place the firearm is handed over.
- Order here and choose the firearm you want.
- At checkout, choose the licensed dealer in Idaho who will receive the firearm. Pick a dealer you can visit to collect it.
- We ship the firearm to that licensed dealer. Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to your door.
- When you pick up the firearm, you complete ATF Form 4473 and the dealer runs a federal NICS background check before the firearm is handed over.
Every firearm you order is sent to the licensed dealer you choose, and the dealer runs the background check before you take the firearm home.
What the Idaho rules say
Idaho has no permit to purchase, no firearm registration and no state waiting period. At a licensed dealer you show photo identification, complete ATF Form 4473, and the dealer runs a federal NICS background check before the gun is handed over. Once the check returns a proceed, you can take the firearm home the same day. Federal law sets the dealer minimum age at 18 for rifles and shotguns and 21 for handguns.
Idaho adds no purchase permit and no state background check on a private sale between two Idaho residents. It is still a crime to transfer a firearm to someone you know cannot legally have one.
For concealed carry, Idaho Code 18-3302(4)(f) lets anyone over 18 who is a United States citizen or a current member of the armed forces, and who is not otherwise disqualified, carry a concealed firearm in Idaho without a license. Licenses are still issued, and many people want one for reciprocity and for the federal school-zone exception. The county sheriff issues both the standard five-year license and the enhanced license, which under Idaho Code 18-3302K requires an eight-hour face-to-face course with at least 98 rounds of live fire. Courthouses, schools and federal buildings stay off-limits.
Hunting rules are separate from purchase rules. Idaho Fish and Game sets deer and elk seasons by game management unit, and the dates change from year to year, so check the current Fish and Game schedule before you hunt. Rimfire rifles and handguns may not be used for big game in Idaho. Idaho also has no established feral swine population and no open feral hog season, so check the current Fish and Game rules before you hunt any unprotected species.
Laws change; confirm current rules with the state agencies named above.
Places in Idaho named in this guide
Our Idaho state notes name these places. The list is for orientation only and does not mean a dealer in each place has been checked. For target shooting, the Bureau of Land Management lists more areas across the state, and target shooting is allowed on most public land where it is safe and not posted closed.
- Boise, where Idaho Gun Shop ships from.
- The Treasure Valley.
- Kuna, home of Black's Creek Public Shooting Range.
- Nampa, which has a Fish and Game range in the Treasure Valley.
- Garden Valley, which has a Fish and Game range.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Idaho?
No. Idaho has no permit to purchase and no firearm registry. You complete ATF Form 4473 and pass a NICS background check at the licensed dealer that receives your order.
Is there a waiting period in Idaho?
No. Idaho has no state waiting period, so once the dealer's NICS check returns a proceed you can take the firearm home the same day. A delayed check is handled under federal rules and many dealers wait for a final answer.
Who issues concealed weapons licenses in Idaho?
The county sheriff. Idaho Code 18-3302 gives the sheriff up to 90 days to issue, the license runs five years, and the statutory fee is $20 for an original license plus the actual cost of the fingerprint check.
How does a gun I order reach me?
We ship every firearm to a licensed dealer near you that you choose at checkout. The dealer runs the background check and hands the gun over. Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to your door.
Can I carry a concealed handgun in Idaho without a license?
Yes, if you are over 18, a United States citizen or a current member of the armed forces, and not disqualified under Idaho Code 18-3302(11). Schools, courthouses and federal property remain off-limits.
General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.
