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Does the buyer have to pick it up in person? The question would be the same for non-internet sales. I’d never given this much thought before, but the nearest gun dealer to me, and the only one I’ve ever bought guns from, is on the second floor of an old building, no elevator. Absolutely no way anyone in a wheelchair is getting into that store (or even into the building, since IIRC, there are steps even to get inside the first floor). I suppose the dealer could meet someone out in the parking lot to do paperwork, run inside to the NICS check, go back out with the gun, etc. But isn’t there some provision where people can have someone buy it for them? Don’t I recall Sarah Brady getting in a wee bit of embarrassing trouble over something like this, when she was buying a gun as a gift for her son?

The buyer has to pick it up in person. The only way a non-licensee can "order" a gun is to buy it as a private sale from a resident of his own state. In that case, the seller can send it him, as no paperwork (Federally) needs to be filled out, if allowed by his state law. Even if he buys a gun from a non-licensee in another state, the gun would have to be sent to a licensee in his state, where the forms/background check must be done.

Buying a gun for someone who is not allowed to possess it is a straw purchase, and is illegal. Buying a gun to give as a gift is legal, if the recipient is legally allowed to possess it.

I've made one rifle purchase via an internet site located in the state of Washington. Before I could make that purchase, I had to go down to my local FFL and have him send a copy of his FFL signed in ink via FedEx. Once received, the seller processed my purchase transaction and shipped the rifle to my FFL in Pocatello, ID. I had to fill out the usual Form 4473 in person before I could take possession of the rifle. It was a lot more effort than just going to the local sporting goods shop to buy one off the shelf. I only went to the time and trouble because the rifle was on allocation. Very few were available for sale anywhere.

I purchase 2 or 3 firearms each year from this local FFL and I have an Idaho CCW license. I've been doing business with him since Dec 2000, so it's not like I just walked off the street and asked him to participate in the purchase of that rifle.