Do gun sales through an in state dealer have to be face to face?

[wishin]

I can't really understand why not, since this is all occurring in state, and all the appropriate forms and background checks would still be done.

I steal your wallet, buy a gun online faxing or e-mailing your driver's license as ID. I give a different address than what's on the license, explaining that I've moved. FFL lets me do the 4473 online with electronic signature. He ships to you (me) at the address I gave. I do a contract hit and leave the gun at the scene. You probably won't get convicted, but get hassled, spend money on a lawyer, your wife leaves you for being a dumb ass, takes the kids and dog, you lose your job because your corporate credit card was in your wallet and used for porn..............

 

[mgkdrgn]

What is the thought process of having to be there in person?

The "thought process" is that the FFL needs to match the physical buyer with the ID ... can't do that unless it's face to face with the FFL.

 

[Balrog]

steal your wallet, buy a gun online faxing or e-mailing your driver's license as ID. I give a different address than what's on the license, explaining that I've moved. FFL lets me do the 4473 online with electronic signature. He ships to you (me) at the address I gave. I do a contract hit and leave the gun at the scene. You probably won't get convicted, but get hassled, spend money on a lawyer, your wife leaves you for being a dumb ass, takes the kids and dog, you lose your job because your corporate credit card was in your wallet and used for porn..............

Your scenario is unrealistic, because the address on your DL has to match the address on the 4473. Just require the shipping address to be your legal address on the DL.

 

[Art Eatman]

Looks to me like the opening question has been adequately answered and now we're headed off into the thorn brush...