Are gun giveaways legit?
Many are. Gun makers, retailers, ranges and magazines run real giveaways all the time. But plenty of fake ones copy them, and winning a gun works differently from winning a TV.
Who runs real gun giveaways
Real giveaways come from identifiable companies: manufacturers, retailers, ranges, publications and industry groups. They post official rules, run entry through their own site or a known giveaway platform, and announce an end date. You can see the ones we've checked on the main list.
How you get the gun: the FFL transfer
A gun prize doesn't ship to your house. The sponsor ships it to a licensed firearms dealer (an FFL) near you. You go to that dealer, fill out ATF Form 4473 and pass a background check, the same as buying a gun in a store. Many dealers charge a transfer fee, which you pay the dealer at the counter, never to someone who messages you online.
If you can't legally own the gun where you live, you can't take it. Some giveaways exclude certain states for this reason, and the rules will say which.
Age requirements
Under federal law, you must be 21 to get a handgun from a licensed dealer and 18 for a rifle or shotgun. Some states set higher limits. Many giveaways simply require entrants to be 21 or older. Check the eligibility section of the rules before you enter.
Taxes
Prizes are generally taxable income in the US. Sponsors may ask a winner for tax information and send a tax form after the prize is awarded. That's normal from a confirmed sponsor through official channels. It's a red flag when a stranger asks for it in a DM before you've been confirmed.
No purchase necessary
Legit US sweepstakes are free to enter. Buying something doesn't improve your odds on any giveaway we list. We leave off giveaways that give extra entries for a purchase.
Before you enter
Read the scam signs, then pick from the current giveaways. Here's how we check each one.
More guides
New verified giveaways, every Friday.
We check each brand-run giveaway by hand and flag the scams. Free to enter, and never a purchase required.
Last updated . This is general information, not legal advice. Read each giveaway's official rules and check your state's laws.