Commonwealth Collectibles Firearms Emporium

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Where is Commonwealth Collectibles located?
2) What do I have to do to buy a gun online?
3) What do I have to do to buy a gun in person?
4) Is my personal information I give Commonwealth Collectibles kept private?
5) What does C&R mean?
6) What does FFL mean?
7) How can I get a C&R or FFL?
8) Are there any restrictions on magazines?
9) Is there a waiting period to buy a gun?
10) Do I have to register my gun?
11) What types of guns are banned?
12) Do you have special dealer pricing?
13) Can you tell me which dealer in my area you can ship a gun to for me?
14) Will Commonwealth Collectibles do a gun transfer for me?
15) Do you have a lay-a-way plan?
16) Can you special order a gun not in stock?

1) Where is Commonwealth Collectibles located?
We are located in Roanoke VA. Out address and contact information is located here. Maps and directions to our store can be found at http://www.mapquest.com.

2) What do I have to do to buy a gun online?
When an individual wants to buy a gun through the mail they must have it shipped to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. If you do not have an FFL, first find a local gun store or other FFL holder in your area and get their permission to have a gun shipped to them from Commonwealth Collectibles. Most dealers will do a transfer for you for a small fee. Second, have them send us a signed in ink copy of their FFL, including their phone number and contact name. A fax is not acceptable, and they only need to send this once as it is kept on file until it expires. Third, once we have the FFL on file, you can order online, being sure to enter the FFL's info in the space for shipping address, and your info in the space for billing address. We can then ship to the dealer's place of business and you can pick up your gun from them after meeting all local, state, and federal laws. If you order and we have no FFL on file, we will email you back explaining that you need an FFL, causing your order to be delayed. NOTE: If you are concerned about quantity running out, or reserving a one-of-a-kind item, then you would need to call us. You can use a credit card to reserve an item immediately. We will charge your card and hold it for 10 days while you arrange to have an FFL transfer dealer send their license to us.

3) What do I have to do to buy a gun in person?
In Virginia, any one over 18 can purchase a long gun (rifle or shotgun). Virginia residents over 21 may purchase a handgun in person, for themselves, after completing the required Federal and State purchase forms at our store, and passing an instant background check. The process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. A Government issued picture ID showing your residence address is required. A photo ID with a PO or HC Box #, or with an old address is not valid. A second ID with the same address must supplement the photo ID. Common items used as a second ID include a vehicle registration, voter ID card, bank check, and concealed weapon permit.

4) Is my personal information I give Commonwealth Collectibles kept private?
Yes, all personal information given to Commonwealth Collectibles is kept private, it is never given, loaned or sold to a third party. View our privacy policy here.

5) What does C&R mean?
C&R means Curio and Relic. It is a classification made by the BATF of certain firearms, mainly military guns over 50 years old. Collectors who obtain a C&R license can order these firearms directly without having to go through a FFL dealer to acquire them.

6) What does FFL mean?
FFL means Federal Firearms License. This is issued by the BATF to those who deal in firearms. It is illegal to "deal" in firearms without an FFL. An FFL is required in order to receive a gun delivered to you through the mail.

7) How can I get a C&R or FFL?
You can get more information and see how to apply for a C&R or FFL at http://www.atf.gov.

8) Are there any restrictions on magazines?
There was a law enacted by congress in 1994 to ban the future manufacture of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds for civilians. This law expired in September 2004 and companies can now manufacture large capacity magazines again. Some states have gone further and implemented their own bans. For this reason we do not ship magazines that hold over 10 rounds to California, nor magazines that hold over 15 rounds to New Jersey.

9) Is there a waiting period to buy a gun?
In Virginia, there is no waiting period. The only wait is timerequired to complete the purchase forms and conduct the instant background check. Once this is completed, you can leave with your firearm.

10) Do I have to register my gun?
You do not have to register your gun after you buy it. For now the government considers your gun sufficiently registered by you filling out the Federal and State purchase forms. The gun dealer must keep these forms for 20 years after the sale.

11) What types of guns are banned?
There was a ban enacted by congress on the manufacture of "assault rifles". This ban expired September 2004, and features such as bayonet lug, flash hider, and folding stocks are again permitted on US made guns. There are still bans on many imported rifles with "assault rifle" features, and they cannot be brought into the USA.

12) Do you have special dealer pricing?
Yes. We offer wholesale pricing to FFL holders.

13) Can you tell me which dealer in my area you can ship a gun to for me?
Sorry, we do not know which dealers in your area will do a transfer for you. It is up to you to find one that has terms acceptable to you. For privacy reasons we do not give out information about which dealers in your area we ship to.

14) Will Commonwealth Collectibles do a gun transfer for me?
Yes, if you wish to order a gun from somewhere else and have it sent to us so you can pick it up here, the fee is $25.00, payable in cash in advance. If we receive a gun to transfer to you, and you are a prohibited possessor, you would also be responsible for the cost to ship the gun back to the place where you bought it.

15) Do you have a lay-a-way plan?
No, we do not have any type of payment plan or lay-a-way installment plan. All purchases must be paid in full at the time of transaction.