applying for my FFL

[Bugsy08]

Hey guys,
Haven't been around awhile due to finances and having to sell some guns to pay the rent. Anyway, I starting thinking about applying for an FFL and just doing transfers until I can get some capital going for a website and sales. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I wanted to scrounge up some decent 3rd gen smiths and others things such as 1911's and revolvers.

 

[goldwinghg]

If you live in a area that has an HOA, you might want to see if you can do business from your home. You will also have get a business lic. From you city ,county,and state. Not sure if it will pay off to just do transfers. Most people charge $20, to $25 for transfers. If you charge much more,you won't get much business. I have found that most supply houses, don't want to do business with you,unless you buy a fair amount of guns from them. If you get a FFL make sure you keep your paperwork in order. Not worth getting in trouble with the ATF. Good luck!

 

[dsink]

Down mean to be a downer but its probably not going to be worth it unless you have someone at home who can sign for them when there dropped off and you plan on ordering a couple dozen at a time. Its really more trouble than its worth for no more than you will save.
Like goldwinghg said, most supply houses will not take you on unless you have a store front. I have them but only becouse I have to do do gun smithing. If it wasnt for that, I would let them go in a heart beat..

I can honstly say, I dont think I have ever ordered a gun in for myself. I can normaly go to the local gun shop and buy one for pretty close to the same price that I can get it after I figure in shipping and having to drive to the UPS/USPS office to pick it up.

You will also want to have a seperate safe to keep the firearms in that are in your bound book. I noticed you say you rent. Im not sure if they will approve someone to get them if its for your home and your renting.

I wish you luck if you decide to get them. I hope you make a ton doing it.

 

[OKFC05]

Two friends in my small town had FFLs, but don't now. One tried to run the business from his home, but was in violation of city zoning and got shut down when he put an ad in the paper.
The other got a small store and was doing OK, and sending a lot of CHL class business my way. Unfortunately, an ATF audit found substantial errors in his records, and he lost his FFL.

What's the point? Well, first you have to be sure to comply with all applicable business, tax, and zoning laws, and then your required Federal paperwork has to stand up to an ATF audit. Then you have to deal with the competition from the large stores and the internet.
Good luck.

 

[mrrick]

Not worth it these days.

 

[redwood0_7]

I had a FFL 20 years or more ago. Wasn't quite as much hassle as I believe it is now. I was thinking of applying for one but after reading a little about the requirements decided it was too much. Back when I had mine you had to have posted hours of operation and if it was in your home a seperate door was required to enter "shop." I was able to order guns from certain distributors one at a time but probably can't do that now. Not trying to discourage you that letting you know what to expect. Good luck.

 

[JJEH]

What's the point? Well, first you have to be sure to comply with all applicable business, tax, and zoning laws, and then your required Federal paperwork has to stand up to an ATF audit. Then you have to deal with the competition from the large stores and the internet.
Good luck.

This!

Also, before you start anything make sure your landlord approves you to running a business out of his/her house. Then go from there.

Good luck.

 

[gwpercle]

A friend of mine had a FFL and owned an electric moter repair business with one display case dedicated to his gun business. The agents visited him and said it wasn't enough, he needed a dedicated, stand alone, separate store for the gun business. He no longer has the FFL.
I don't know how a web site dealer works unless he has a store to go along with it.
Gary

 

[handgunner356]

I've had a home based FFL for 28 years and I'd never encourage anybody to get one for themselves. Like others have pointed out the downfalls and I sure haven't made money on it. With all the websites out there I usually end up telling people to order what they want and charge them 20 to transfer. At the present time just getting inventory ahead of the big stores is slim and none, I've had certain guns, ammo and powder back ordered for over a year now.

 

[JM4151]

FFL

I had an FFL for over 25 years then they found out that I was in violation of local zoning and I had to give it up. A small gun shop will not support you unless you have another full time job. The profit is not there.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Sounds good on the surface but you need to do a business plan to really look at it. These days $100 is a good profit on a hand gun. Most go out the door for less. If you somehow manage to get the FFL, the business license, the insurance and pay for the advertising to bring some business your way and then sell 20 guns a month at the $100 profit margin you will bring in a whopping $24,000 per year. Then pay all your expenses and your taxes and what have you made? You can probably do better with a part-time gig at Home Depot. If it were different there would be a lot more Mom & Pop gun shops around. It's just not worth it.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I used to have a FFL and a reloaders license. I applied for very specific reasons, I was generally known as a gun guy at work and did odds and ends of work for people and occasional small custom reloading jobs for people. I never did conduct business on the licenses, it was just to keep me square with the law and that's what I told ATF when I got the licenses. They gave me no trouble and I kept to the law. However, a few years down the road the city started opposing all residential area FFLs on general principles. Such is life. Plus, if you have the license, it gives the feds the legal authority to drop in and nose around without a warrant. It is a lot of intrusion for very little benefit.

 

[ahoss79]

I've had my FFL for about a year and it is a home based business. In my opinion, if you plan on doing a lot of local sales, I wouldn't do it out of your house. I just wouldn't like having a lot of traffic through my personal place unless you had an area that kept it away from the majority of your residence. Even then I would be reluctant. I got mine mainly for myself and have had no issues. For me, it's basically a hobby/side job that I enjoy and that increases my collection. Unless you have a storefront, I doubt you would be able to make a whole lot, but I don't know your area.

 

[dsink]

Another thing I forgot to mention is, you will only be able to conduct business at your home or at a gun show. You will not be able to post a firearm for sale on a board then meet someone in a parking lot. Business has to be conducted at the premisses address on the FFL or at a gunshow.