I got mine in Dec 1982. Golden years for sure until 1986. Did just about all my business out of Shotgun News and RSR guns at their old location on Hwy 50. "Components" were regulated in that certain ones had to be in a separate "bound book" (primers and brass maybe, I can't recall). I had about a dozen shooters that would go through 1K .44 mag and .223 components every month+ any guns they bought. I was heading for my own shop by 1990 but I was also heading for a 2nd divorce, the more expensive one. Converted my garage into a formal shop, already collecting tax for the state and set up for the "FDLE call-in" which began in 1991. Along comes the Clinton administration and Treasury secretary Lloyd Bentsen, democrat of Texas ("I knew Jack Kennedy and you sir are no Jack Kennedy") for context.
At one of his "$15K a plate breakfasts" he opined "Why does it cost less for a gun dealer's license than a liquor license?" And in around early 1995 "the great purge" began, eliminating "Kitchen table dealers" and reducing 01 FFL's from 275K to around 60K. I went before the zoning board in a good suit, paid my $100 for a "zoning variance hearing" explained in detail how I would do nothing different than in the preceeding 13 years.....etc. After 45 minutes the vote was all except one for, that one against won and out the door I went. I had already submitted my renewal for 3 years and a couple days later Tampa ATF office notified me of the "consequences of forcing the .gov into the formal denial process." I withdrew and got my $90 back 6 months later. End of cliff notes version of the story and again, sorry for "text wall style." Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I too got my FFL in 1980 or 81 and did a small business with friends and also did some pistol work on gov model colts and after our Ar governor was elected I lasted until 1995 and I got out. Jeff

My best friend had an FFL in the early 80's. In 84 he got divorced and relocated his FFL to my house, without telling me. So for a while I slept in a gun store. About 6 months later his License expired. The only real problem was the 50 or so guns I owned at the time that were in the house, but not in the book or tagged "Not For Sale", could have been a problem if we had a stickler for an ATF agent.

Ivan

In 13 years of operation I never once had a compliance inspection. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

During the time of remodeling after a fire caused by the furnace, there was a compliance inspection. To that date he had ordered in and sold 8 hand guns and 4 long guns. He used a college ruled note book as his record book. He kept his completed paperwork in this also. One of the SxS shotguns that had been sold had all the boxes in the paperwork filled out correctly, and was properly signed but not dated. The Compliance inspector/agent found this and told my friend all was in order except for the one form missing a date. Get the purchaser to date it correctly and mail in this post card when taken care of. The ATF agent left my place (no electric and no heat in early march!) My best friend pulled out a dated form that he had the buyer fill out at the same time as the undated one. Put the completed form in the book and on the way out put the post card in my mail box for the mailman to pick up the next day. The Inspections were to find problems, if they only find a minor problem they went away happy! If they find no problems, it looks like they weren't doing their job! Everybody went home happy!

Ivan

My FFL buddy was told flat out that he gets inspected often because the local ATF office knows that everything will be correct and it's an easy trip.

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Release the Kraken

Had one in the late 70s. We had 1 compliance check. He caught a 4473 that the buyer forgot to sign. UH OH! He asked if we knew the customer, which we did. He told us to call the guy and get his signature. Easy peazy!

I've worked part te in and ran shops for friends when the took vac or had to be out of town.

The old yellow fo days allied for more errors that were easier to correct.

When the feds were called on every purchase it was given more attention to accuracy.

After a few mistakes we started double checking all of them. I see some places that double check then then have a manager come back and do it.

Now many of the stores do the online paper work

We were always on guard for straw buys. Turned down some sales and ticked some guys off. But we're they undercover BATF?


Several folks did not have an I'd and winged it right up yo, sir I need to see your DL.

I worked part time at one of thee largest lgs in STL. A Mo resident could pass the background check, pay for the firearm and walk out the door with it. Illinois residents came in wanting to do the same
The have waiting, shipping handguns to their local lgs and the dreaded ZZFOID Card
It got so bad if we did not know them the first question was may I see your id. Nope do you have a lgs set up to receive it. Most left unhappy. Geeze there were houses for sale on our side if the Mississippi and cheaper taxes.

In the smaller towns known felons would come in. Otd fella.

Wow I had to dig for that one, my first FFL EXPIRED in 1973, so that should mean it was issued in 1970 about 47 years ago..
Now I feel REALLY old!!

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

FFL storefront license holder since 1991, 26 years, 1 compliance check.
3 years ago business changed from a partnership to an S Corp so had to re-apply and all that happy stuff. The agent that came out then was totally clueless about pawnshop operations...

Funny thing, my dog did NOT like him and let it be known. He kept trying to come behind the counter, she does not allow that.
I'm probably lucky she didn't take a piece out of his hind side.
He didn't think she should be there. 26 years and I've always had a dog there with me. Quite a few years had 2. The dogs baby sit the kids (large & small)

Recently have had 2 customers that were denied and they don't understand why..
One i'm not sure of either.
The other, has 2 controlled substance charges, threatening an officer, going armed with intent, outstanding warrant. And he wonders why???

Years ago there was a bar next door, refused to sell to a few drunks.

IIRC, when I first got mine it was yearly, $10 per. I have CRS these days. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I obtained a gunsmithing license in 1977. I mainly did action jobs, swapped out triggers and hammers, added red ramp inserts, etc. Most of my customers were my fellow police officers.

When the Clintons decided to give out FFL info to the local governments, the cost of my license went from $30 a year to $300. Too much to pay for what was basically a hobby. Sent my bound book to the BATF in 1997.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I had one of those 30 dollar FFL's pre Clinton, just cause I could.
Never bought a thing since I would never be able to get a NY state license. Was I supposed to send in a blank bound book?
Might be a bit late.

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Sure you did

Actually, yes. It shows compliance, which is the top priority for all .gov functions. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

The 01FFL renewal is still $30/yr right now isn't it? $90 for the 3yr license.
I know there's an application fee the first time around but I don't remember what it was back in '73 when I got mine, I think the 3 yr renewal was $10/yr at the time and $30 for the 3 yrs that it ran.

I had and still have mine mostly for the gunsmithing and engraving but do use it for buy/sell. The compliance checks are pretty simple of late as there isn't much on the buy sell side to look at as far as inventory and paper work.
I usually get at least one per 3 yr period. Some announced ahead of time,,some not.

I had the NYS Dealer and Gunsmith licenses till just recently,,also since 73. They are 3 yr renewals also, but the same as NYS P/P with pics, prints and character refs. You'd think after 40 some years with the same lic and no problems the thing would go thru w/ no problems.
The last two renewals took 14 and 18 mo each. Both were turned in 6mo ahead of expiration which still left me un-NYS licensed. Then the newly issued licenses were back dated to the expiration date of the ones that I was renewing,,,so I lost over a year on each of the 3 yr licenses.
4 needs to be re-finger printed on the last one,,
Enough of that ****.

Lots of FFL's I knew gave up their lic in the Clinton FFL remake due to the zoning requirement. Many municipalities saw it as a way to keep gun businesses out while allowing beauty shops, DRs, lawyers, coin shops, dress alteration shops to continue to operate out of homes.
Fire regulations, commercial sale ammunition & firearm storage laws were easy to manipulate.

The bound book for ammunition sales discontinued in '86. I never sold any ammo commercially so never had a B/Book for it anyway. The on;y thing I ever remember about it was a notice from the FBI when the Son of Sam killer in NYC was on the loose.
They wanted the FFL notified to check the ammunition log for any sale of Winchester Western 44Special caliber ammunition. Contact the FBI at a toll free # if you had any sale of that particular ammunition.

Sales at gunshows were done freely and accross the table though before '86 they were by law illegal. The 'gun show' was not considered an extension of the FFL's licensed premises. Sales at gunshows were supposed to be done by paperwork only with the physical transfer and 4473 done at the FFL's licensed premises.
But,,Non-FFL's could freely trade in firearms back and forth between non FFL's at the same show !.
FFl's could also buy from non FFls at a show same as now.
Omnibus Crime Act '86 changed that and allowed FFL's to do the physical transfer at a gunshow as long as it is in the same state as their licensed premises.

The same law once again allowed Military Surplus arms back iin the USA. Since the GCA 68, they had been banned from importation. The only thing coming in had been some antique pre1899 status firearms. Mostly GEW88 German rifles and some '91 CArcanos. The latter always made me shake my head as they were the very rifle that prompted the GCA68 w/the Kennedy assassination and here they were freely being imported because of it.

A flood of M1 and M1 carbines came in from Korea. I worked in a large upstate NY gunshop at the time. M1 carbines were $165 ,,Don't recall the price on the Garands. All were BlueSky Imports. 240rd 30-06 on Garand clips was $69.95.
Ishapor 2A1 7.62Nato cal Enfields were &69.95 and near perfect condition.
STAR B and SUperB 9mm pistols w/ box, extra mag, cleaning rod and manual were about $80.
Turkish 98 Mausers were $35 each. Beautiful rifles w/ perfect bores and metal. Many looked unissued and were built on German 98 actions.
Packed w/ axel or wheel bearing grease they were a chore to clean but very nice rifle for almost the price of shipping today.

State and Fed laws have made gunshows and the hobby of firearms and working on guns less popular I think/ But there is still plenty of support for the sport and business.
If you're thinking of getting into the biz,, just keep in mind it's a heavily regulated industry,,always has been. If you get in and are licensed, you have to follow their rules and guidelines and keep excellent clear concise records.
It is a business if you are an 01 FFL,,make no mistake about it.

If you want to get in as a hobby,,then get an 03FFL. You can do just about every thing you'd want to do with an 03 except Buy & sell and work on other peoples firearms.