An FFL is NOT required on the shipping end by Federal law and there are very few states that require it.
I don't know why that myth won't die.
There is a good reason for it.
There is what the official Federal regulations say.
Then there is what the ATF decides to interpret and you do as they say or how do you like getting a full audit each month till they find something to shut you down?
Around the southern states, quite some years ago the ATF let it be known rather clearly that FFLs should not send their FFL paperwork to a non FFL and it was "suggested" that they try to mostly accept only from FFLs.
So you'll be hard pressed around my area to find any FFL that will accept from an individual, that's just the way it is.
just about all of them, including the LGS that I am well acquainted with the manager of will only accept from an FFL.
That being said, I pretty much now only ship FFL to FFL because generally their fee is made up for the fact they can often use cheaper shipping options.
I understand some folks have a hard time finding an FFL to ship from. My suggestion is that means you need to work on getting to know some FFLs really well, buy accessories and guns for them, give them a bit of business etc.
I also find that it's actually for the most part simpler to simply sell my guns on consignment at my local FFL than deal with internet sales unless it's a more rare niche item. Their 15% fee is more than made up for by them getting more money for things since they take credit cards.