03FFL: Pros and Cons

[McNally M.]

Okay guys, my 21st birthday is rolling around very soon. To be honest I don't care about being able to purchase alcohol nearly as much as I look forward to being eligible to obtaining a 03FFL to continue amassing my collection of C&R's.

I've since slowed down on my collecting having been very active and buying everything I could get my hands on. But I'm slowly getting back into the "game," though the high prices courtesy of the all this fright gun purchases are making it hard to find a good deal on the rifles I love. It is therefore in my best interest to consider getting an 03FFL so I can swoop in on all the good deals out there on the internet that I've had to let pass by my whole life because I had no way of cashing in on them.

But I'm on the fence a little bit about whether I should get that 03. On one hand, I can buy C&R rifles online and have them shipped directly to me. But on the other, I allow the ATF permission into my life that I would otherwise not grant them. What are all the pros and cons of getting the 03? I'm hoping all you 03 holders out there will give me you two cents.

[89 Vision]

Can't think of too many cons. I'm don't welcome a search, but I have nothing to hide either. The most I've heard of is an ATF agent wanting to examine your records, which you can opt to do at the ATF office. Other than the fact that mandatory long gun registration begins next year and you'll need a COE as well as an 03 to have any advantages, there's not too much else. On the other hand, you're lucky to be hitting the end of an era in C&R collecting. I say, apply for your C&R TOMORROW, and hope it gets here quick. Spend all you can afford on C&R's (and their ammo) right now, I'm certain you won't regret it.

[Emdawg]

One thing to worry about is Jan. 1, 2014. Starting then a C&R by itself will be worthless without a COE.

[echo1]

For me, NOT having a 03 has tempered my buying by not being able to order online. Plus I carry a bore light and magnifying glass and enjoy looking the piece over, and I like to haggle. And like 89 has said, it's near the end of an era, unless the floodgates from the comblok opens. I've always done good at the personal level, in the price range I can afford, where an 03 has never needed to come into play. Most all my iron ranges from NRA good to very good in overall "collector" mode, and very good to "the-cats-pajamas" as shooters. I've been at it for 50 years, but my pile has quadrupled in the last 5-7 years (an alarming rate to my spousal unit). I've had the word out for a long time and stuff just follows me home. Here in Kali, if you buy from a dealer, you're on the "list" anyway. PAX

[Tekkno]

Go buy a handgun first!
Anyway, is the new Long gun registration in the book already?

[Zedrek]

And then there's the discounts online.......

[kouye]

Con: You will buy WAAAAY more C&R guns than you expected or budgeted...

[Chaos47]

One thing to worry about is Jan. 1, 2014. Starting then a C&R by itself will be worthless without a COE.

Not exactly.
You will still be able to purchase C&R while out of state.

And the discounts, esp Brownells are pretty good.

[WoodrowShootist]

Why wouldn't you get the COE anyways? I saw it as you gotta get both in order to get the most out of collecting. Helps when buying local.

[WoodrowShootist]

Also the way I interpreted things the ATF has the ability to ask about your bound book at anytime. Its not a free pass to rummage through your safe. As mentioned before the rules say you can go to the office to show proof

[emcon5]

on the other, I allow the ATF permission into my life that I would otherwise not grant them.

Not really. Yeah, in theory they could audit you, but it is by appointment, and can take place at their office. They can't show up at your front door and you have to let them in to audit your records, which they can with an 01 FFL.

And from what I can see from posts in various forums, is pretty rare.

[McNally M.]

My concern is that like echo1, I've amassed a hefty collection of rifles through face-to-face deals. Therefore I have plenty of items that I not cataloged. My concern is that that when(if that is) I get my 03, how to I explain off all these other rifles that are not listed in my book?

[emcon5]

My concern is that like echo1, I've amassed a hefty collection of rifles through face-to-face deals. Therefore I have plenty of items that I not cataloged. My concern is that that when(if that is) I get my 03, how to I explain off all these other rifles that are not listed in my book?

Why would they come up? If get inspected, and you agree to do the inspection in your home, you put your bound book, and the firearms in it on the dining room table. An inspection does not give them the ability to ransack your house. Guns you owned before being licensed do not need to go in your book unless you sell them, so they should not even come up, unless you bring them up.

Even if you were dumb enough to do so, I can't see it mattering, they were purchased in accordance with state and federal law.

[RudyCakes]

Con: You will buy WAAAAY more C&R guns than you expected or budgeted...

Oh, God. Yes. Way more.
And I've taken several "sick" days just so I can greet the UPS guy and unbox my old beauties. Those sick days add up.

[M1NM]

The less government in your life the better.