Resources & references
Everything we publish about how the directory works, trust pages, data sources, verification process, plus the public-health and regulatory links we recommend you read alongside our listings.
Guides & articles
Evergreen guides on firearms pricings, common gun store types, symptoms, prevention, and how to vet a professional. Every guide is editorially reviewed and cited from authoritative sources.
Step-by-step walkthrough of purchasing firearms online in 2026. Covers selecting an FFL, shipping rules, total cost breakdown, state restrictions, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Updated 2026 guide to obtaining a concealed carry permit. Covers shall-issue vs may-issue states, constitutional carry expansion, training requirements, costs, and reciprocity maps.
Everything first-time gun buyers need to know in 2026, from choosing the right firearm type to completing the 4473, passing your background check, and walking out with your purchase.
Everything you need to know before buying an AR-15 in 2026. Covers legality by state, price tiers, key specifications, accessories, and how to find a dealer who stocks them.
In-depth comparison of popular handgun calibers in 2026 including 9mm, .45 ACP, .380 ACP, 10mm, and .357 Magnum. Covers ballistics, cost per round, recoil, and best use cases.
Not all gun stores are equal. Learn the 9 critical factors experienced buyers evaluate before choosing a dealer, from FFL verification to transfer policies, range access, and customer service.
Complete guide to purchasing NFA items in 2026. Covers the Form 4 process, wait times, trust vs individual registration, costs, and finding a Class 3 SOT dealer near you.
State-by-state breakdown of private firearms sale laws in 2026. Covers universal background check states, face-to-face sales, required paperwork, and how FFL dealers facilitate transfers.
Everything you need to know about cleaning and maintaining firearms. Covers frequency, supplies, step-by-step procedures for handguns, rifles, and shotguns, plus long-term storage prep.
Complete guide to firearm safe storage in 2026. Covers state storage laws, safe ratings (RSC vs B-rate vs TL), quick-access options for home defense, and liability considerations.
Guides by state
We've built a state-specific guide library covering the questions that vary most by state: pricing, licensing, climate-driven gun store risk, insurance coverage, and how to vet pros locally. Pick your state to see every topic that applies in your climate. Topics like hurricane aftermath, basement gun store, or crawl-space encapsulation only show up where they're actually relevant.
Alabama5 guides →
Alaska5 guides →
Arizona5 guides →
Arkansas5 guides →
California5 guides →
Colorado5 guides →
Connecticut5 guides →
Delaware5 guides →
Florida5 guides →
Georgia5 guides →
Hawaii5 guides →
Idaho5 guides →
Illinois5 guides →
Indiana5 guides →
Kansas5 guides →
Kentucky5 guides →
Louisiana5 guides →
Maine5 guides →
Maryland5 guides →
Massachusetts5 guides →
Michigan5 guides →
Minnesota5 guides →
Mississippi5 guides →
Missouri5 guides →
Montana5 guides →
Nebraska5 guides →
Nevada5 guides →
New Hampshire5 guides →
New Jersey5 guides →
New Mexico5 guides →
New York5 guides →
North Carolina5 guides →
North Dakota5 guides →
Oklahoma5 guides →
Oregon5 guides →
Pennsylvania5 guides →
Rhode Island5 guides →
South Carolina5 guides →
South Dakota5 guides →
Tennessee5 guides →
Texas5 guides →
Vermont5 guides →
Virginia5 guides →
Washington5 guides →
West Virginia5 guides →
Wisconsin5 guides →
Wyoming5 guides →
District of Columbia5 guides →
How we work
Our Mission
Why LicensedGunStoresNearMe.com exists, what we are, and what we are explicitly not.
Trust Standards
Editorial neutrality, listing acceptance, dispute handling, and removal policies in plain language.
How We Verify
The exact documents, registries, and re-checks behind the verified badge.
Data Sources
Every public registry that feeds the directory: ATF FFL Registry, NRA, NSSF, state dealer license boards.
Disclaimer
Health, medical, legal, and gunsmithing-advice disclaimers. The canonical version that every page references.
Contact / Report a listing
Questions, corrections, removal requests, and press inquiries.
Authoritative outside reading
We always recommend that customers read at least one government or industry-standard source before hiring a gun store professional. These are the four we link to most often.
ATF Firearms (atf.gov/firearms)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — federal firearms licensing, regulations, compliance guides, and FFL lookup tools.
NRA-ILA State Gun Laws
Comprehensive state-by-state gun law summaries covering carry permits, purchase requirements, preemption, and magazine restrictions.
USCCA Reciprocity Map
Interactive concealed carry reciprocity map showing which states honor your permit, with detailed permit requirements and restrictions.
NSSF (nssf.org)
National Shooting Sports Foundation — the firearms industry trade association. Resources for retailers, ranges, and manufacturers.
Browse the directory by state and city, or submit a single request and we will match you with up to 20 qualified professionals within a 50-mile radius.