Thinking about obtaining my FFL

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Denmark116

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Anyone have any advice on obtaining an FFL?

Is it worth it?

What is the requirement about having an actual place of business (structure)?

I have been looking at all of the online dealers and auctions, but finding an FFL around here that is not going to ruin any deal that I would have got online, is next to impossible...

Most want a % if the sale price and some want sales tax as well.....

Your thoughts....
 
If you hooked up with a bunch of buddies that would buy enought guns at cost, you might make a go of it. Who knows, try selling at 5% over on Gunbroker. Unless you were going to buy and sell a lot of guns, though, it's not worth it. You can buy any gun you want for 10% over, and then just pay a few bucks to transfer it.
 
I am considering getting an FFL, too. One thing they do make clear is that an FFL license is NOT for simply buying guns for your collection. An FFL is if you're going to be a dealer actually engaging in the gun sales business.
There are rumors that they are getting nit-picky about premises (such as they aren't granting licenses to people who operate a business from their home.) There are no prohibitions against this, and they are still granting licenses to those who operate a gun BUSINESS from their home.
I am hesitating from the standpoint of....well...how much do you want to "get in bed" with the ATF? You have to submit a set of fingerprints to the FBI, and two photos. I have nothing to hide.....but still....I don't know..........
 
Seriously now :rolleyes:

A C&R is for collecting while a FFL (01 I'm assuming that you are talking about) is for conducting a business & making money at it.

An 03 holder (C&R) can engage in the buying & selling of firearms however it needs to be with the end result of enhancing his collection. Anything 50 years or older is on the C&R list as are more modern arms which the ATF considers "collectable".

An 01 must have a place of business dedicated to the trade of firearms. Making money is the primary objective here rather than just filling your safe with cheap firearms.

Greg
 
If you are in an area with only a very few FFLs and maybe one or two at the most dedicated gun shops, and the population of your locale is such that there is an unmet need, I would say go for it. I just ordered a stripped AR receiver through a client of mine who runs a gun business part-time (and I mean very part time) out of his house. He charged me zero markup on this gun, and told me he would do the same on any future purchases. Not a bad deal for me.
 
I live outside a very small town in N.E. Missouri. The local postmaster has an FFL. He does not have a place of business for firearms. Works out of his house. He will do transfers for $10.00 :D :what:

Color me happy, when I get home from this business trip I order my AK-47:p
 
I'd really like to know what this mystical number of guns is that you have to sell each year. Also, do transfers count as the same? What's the initial fee?? I heard it's $200 and then $50 every three years for renewels...
 
The fee is 200 for your first 3 years and $90 for each 3 years thereafter.

I've got clarification from ATF - the premises is locality dependent. If you live in the middle of nowhere and theres no regulation against a home based firearms business you're good.
 
Are there any special licenses required to manufacture firearm accessories? How about for replacement parts for firearms? I differentiate between accessories and parts as follows: (BTW, I made up these definitions so they may be wrong or totally unnecessary.)

Accessories: Anything that is added to the firearm, or exchanged, that does not affect its basic operation as a firearm. Examples would be scope mounts, replacement stocks, forward grips, sling swivels, etc. These parts may enhance the use of the firearm or its value, but that is it - no other effect.

Replacement Parts: Anything that would render a firearm non-operational if it were removed or were broke. Examples are firing pins, barrels, hammers, springs, etc. In other words, these parts, if not designed and made properly could result in a potentially dangerous condition with the basic operation of the firearm.

Needless to say, I am not interested in or even considered designing or manufacturing receivers or complete firearms.

Thanks for you inputs-

Alex
 
Nando -

You might check out the Home Gunsmithing Forums at Roderus Custom Guns. Lots of people there make their own gun recievers from castings, or even from billet stock.

Legally, you can manufacture ten guns per year with no license or permit, but you cannot ever transfer one of those guns to another party (with the possible exception of willing them to a decendant.)

- Chris
 
That makes sense (or as much as any of it does) - receivers and frames only are affected. Or, as Chris suggested, go ahead and make them, but don't distribute them w/o the proper license, and paying the proper taxes (BB).

I don't need to be concerned then with any special licenses for what I am contemplating...

Thanks guys...

Alex
 
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