Frequently Asked Questions

No. Indiana does not require a purchase permit or an owner identification card (Indiana has no FOID system — that is an Illinois requirement). To purchase from us you need a valid government-issued photo ID showing your current address, you must complete an ATF Form 4473 at our location, and you must pass the FBI NICS background check.

Indiana imposes no state waiting period. Once your NICS background check comes back approved — which is often the same visit — you may take possession of your firearm. If NICS returns a "delay," federal rules control when the transfer may proceed, and we will explain your options at that time.

Federal law requires you to be at least 21 to purchase a handgun from a licensed dealer, and at least 18 to purchase a rifle or shotgun. Ammunition follows the same split: 21+ for handgun ammunition, 18+ for long gun ammunition.

Partially, yes — and this comes up a lot given how close we are to the state line.

1. Long guns (rifles and shotguns): Federal law allows us to sell a long gun to an Illinois resident in person, but only if the sale complies with the laws of BOTH states. That means you must present a valid Illinois FOID card and the transaction must satisfy Illinois requirements, including its waiting period rules.
2. Handguns: Federal law prohibits us from handing a handgun to an out-of-state resident. A handgun must be shipped to an FFL in your home state, where you complete the transfer under your state's laws.

Contact us before making the trip and we will confirm exactly what applies to your purchase.

Our transfer policy is limited and handled case-by-case. Do not have a seller ship a firearm to us before you contact us and receive confirmation — unauthorized shipments may be refused and returned at the sender's expense. Reach out first and we will discuss whether we can accept your transfer, the applicable fee, and scheduling.

An FFL Transfer is when an online firearm purchaser hires an in-state FFL to conduct the firearm sale according to their home state laws. These laws can include; waiting periods, background checks, and required documents. In Illinois these requirements are; a 72hr wait period for all firearms including frames and receivers, a Firearms Owner ID (FOID) Card, and a drivers license or state ID with their current address on it.

Yes. We operate by appointment only so every customer gets focused, one-on-one service. Call, text, or use the inquiry form on our contact page and we will lock in a time that works for you.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID) with your current address. If your ID address is outdated, bring an acceptable government document showing your current address (such as a vehicle registration). Illinois residents purchasing long guns must also bring a valid FOID card.

No. Our online catalog is for browsing and inquiry only — there is no online checkout. When you see something you like, send an inquiry or call us, and we will confirm availability, pricing, and set up your appointment. All sales are completed in person, in full compliance with federal, state, and local law.

Yes. Special orders are one of our core services. We work with a nationwide distributor network and can usually source specific makes, models, calibers, and configurations. Special orders may require a deposit, and cancellation fees can apply once an order is placed — we will explain the terms up front before you commit.

Cash is preferred. Card payments may carry a small processing fee, and personal checks must clear before any firearm is transferred or shipped. We do not accept PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or similar payment apps for firearm transactions, as their terms of service prohibit firearm-related payments.

Catalog prices are our current asking prices and may change based on distributor cost, availability, and applicable taxes. Indiana sales tax applies to in-store purchases. We will always confirm your out-the-door price before your appointment — no surprises at the counter.

Yes, the online gun shop that you purchased your firearm from has the same FFL type (FFL 01) as your FFL transfer agent. There are many different types of FFLs but the main and most common one to buy, sell, trade, do gunsmith activities, and conduct FFL transfers is the FFL type 01.

Federal law requires all handguns purchased out of state to be shipped to an in-state or local FFL in the state that the buyer resides. Long guns may be purchased out of state and picked-up out of state as long as you follow your home state regulations. It is part of the Gun Control Act of 1968. With very few exceptions, all firearms will be shipped to your local FFL. The few most common exceptions are gunsmith work done by an out of state gunsmith and manufacturer warranty work done by the firearm manufacturer. Updated: 04/16/2026

NO, WE DO NOT. EAA does service FFL Transfers for sworn officers on duty related firearms ONLY! A background check is required and must be APPROVED even on a duty related firearm with a certified letter. I might make an exception to an FFL Transfer that was received as an heir, will, left handed firearm for a youth, or something EXTREMELY interesting. As far as a common FFL Transfer, unfortunately, NO. Updated: 04/16/2026

Yes and no. It is your firearm and you definitely can come and pick it up after you schedule an appointment. The no portion is that I just can't give it to you, you must go through the same process as if you purchased a new firearm. I understand your viewpoint, its your firearm, why should you have to fill out an ATF Firearm Transaction Record (4473), go through a background check, and wait the required 72 hour waiting period. In short, these are the laws/regulations and I must follow them.

YES, I have in stock firearms for sale at my business location and I sell in stock firearms through online gun sites (ie. GunBroker, Armslist, and advertise through social media). My online shopping cart is currently down. Updated: 04/16/2026

Good question, there are a lot of variables that determine the price I sell a firearm for. The number 1 reason, TAXES. Most of my Out of State Sales from my website are non-taxable vs selling at my business location, where taxes and home-rule taxes are required (ie. Cook County $25 Violence Tax). Selling at gun shows, outside of Cook County, no Cook County Violence Tax ($25) is required. Shipping fees are part of my online sale prices while that fee does not apply to business location sales. There are a few more variables involved but these are the most significant. Updated: 05/04/2024

No, if its an FFL transfer that you purchased online from an out of state seller. Yes, if you purchased it from my business location. No, if you purchased it from me at a gun show outside of Cook County. If you disagree with this tax, please call your Cook County Commissioner. Updated: 05/04/2024

ABSOLUTELY NOT. The BATFE made it very clear to me that the ATF Form 4473 (background check form) must be filled out at my business location CORRECTLY, before I am allowed to run a background check. NO EXCEPTIONS... Update: 05/04/2024

Obviously cash is King $$$. I accept Visa/MasterCard for a $5 Processing Fee (subject to change), personal checks (must clear on my end before firearm is shipped or transferred), and money orders. If you are an out of state purchaser, a USPS Money Order is acceptable. No PayPal, No Venmo, No Square, No Zelle, or any other anti-gun payment method. I might be able to get away with a few transactions, but if I get caught, they will freeze my account. Not worth it. Updated: 05/04/2024

Not a problem. Just communicate with me when you will be coming back, so we can make an appointment for you and get all the necessary docs done and you can get your firearm. Updated: 05/04/2024

1. Background Check Fee: $5
2. Cook County Violence Tax: $25 (If purchased at my business location. CCVT NOT REQUIRED if you are an out of state purchaser purchasing online and having it shipped out of state or purchased from me outside of Cook County at a gun show).
3. $10 No Communication Fee: After 2 calendar weeks after I communicated with you about your purchase. There are few exceptions at MY discretion.
4. $5 New Background Check Fee: If yours has expired. (Background checks are good for 30 calendar days. EAA will take additional precaution and allow 29 days ONLY).
5. $10/month Long Term Storage: Of your firearm for whatever reason that might be (ie; denied background check, on vacation, prohibited firearm, etc. That's if you have not communicated with me and we agreed to terms).
6. $10 Processing Fee: For any firearms that I do not perform the FFL Transfer for or complete the sale. Any reasonable reason can include; firearm returned to shipper because no authorization was given to ship firearm here, firearm returned to shipper because buyer came to business location under the influence of Marijuana or any other controlled substance including alcohol, firearm returned to shipper because it is prohibited in IL or your jurisdiction, firearm returned to shipper because of a reasonable belief it is a straw purchase, firearm transferred to another FFL whether through FFL pick-up or by shipping due to buyer/purchaser cannot come to terms with EAA rules or policies, etc...)
7. 25% Special Order Cancellation/Refused/Returned Fee: Anytime EAA orders anything for a customer, a 25% cancellation/refusal/returned fee will apply. Please make sure your SKU, UPC, picture of what you want, or any other method you use to describe to me what you want is 100% accurate. The product you don't want anymore, might not be easily sellable or unable to return to the manufacturer or distributor. This is why we add the fee. There may be other reasons, but these are the most common.
8. There can be other situations where a fee might arise and I will deal with it as the time arises but there is NO circumstance where services are done FREE OF CHARGE.

Updated: 05/04/2024

Ernie's Arms Accessories is now shipping firearm parts, magazines, and ammunition to Chicago. All deliveries will be in compliance with Chicago's Municipal Code and will adhere to all best practices that will not put EAA in legal jeopardy. This is not all inclusive but just giving an example of the types of accessories that EAA will be shipping:

1. All handgun magazines to FOID Card holders of 15rds or less.
2. Shotgun parts for all actions in accordance with PICA.
3. Rifle parts for all actions in accordance with PICA.
4. All ammunition for all calibers except 50BMG. Must submit a current and valid FOID Card/IL CCL or a DL/SI for all ammunition deliveries.

Updated: 05/04/2024