I Tried for my FFL C&R but I was surprised when....

[SVT_Fox]

I had to get this thing called a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application and Live Scan Request Form. Not only did this process discourage me altogether, but why is this required? and why is this so expensive?


Am I even understanding this whole process of C&R?

How much was the gross cost of all you guys that have gotten these?

-marcel

[Pthfndr]

I didn't have to get either of those.

[stevie]

COE is not required to get a C&R FFL. The COE is a calif. document for certain transactions within the state.

[icormba]

How much was the gross cost of all you guys that have gotten these?

-marcel

I only remember paying, what? $35.00 ?

I didn't get a COE.

[taloft]

I had to get this thing called a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application and Live Scan Request Form. Not only did this process discourage me altogether, but why is this required? and why is this so expensive?


Am I even understanding this whole process of C&R?

How much was the gross cost of all you guys that have gotten these?

-marcel

Who told you that it was required to get a COE? Did you get hired by a gun shop?

[SVT_Fox]

Who told you that it was required to get a COE? Did you get hired by a gun shop?

Here is the story,

I got two identacal forms in the mail for a C&R licence. I read somewhere that I need to send one to the feds in VA and the other to local Police. After calling the sherrif, then the PD, then the gun shop, I was told to call a place in sac. The place in Sacramento is who told me about the COE.

All I want to do is be able to buy guns of broker and have them mailed right to my door, and I also want to go to gun shows and come home with new guns. All I want is C&R stuff, nothing new...

[mow]

Ahh I get it. Legally I believe that you will need both if you want them shipped to your door a CCR and a COE.

[TonyNorCal]

A COE is not required to receive C&R cali legal firearms by mail (this means rifles over 50 years of age that don't have any evil features) So you can't receive Budda'd muzzle brake-havin' Yugo 59/66s, Albanian SKSs, or other rifles 50 years of age or less, and C&R handguns. No worries. Lots of good stuff to get .

COE allows you to cash and carry C&R firearms from a Cali dealer. Interestingly enough, the way the law is written this applies to C&R rifles under 50 years of age AND C&R handguns. However, you may have trouble convincing a dealer of this and not all may comply with the law. I recently walked out of Big 5 with two M44s....cash and carry same day...but it took them calling their district manager and some of my time waiting to make it ok. No worries, I was happy.

COE does not afford you any additional priviledges when receiving C&Rs by mail. In that case you are still bound by only non-evil feature rifles of greater than 50 years.

Here's a thread I wrote when I got my COE in which I posted the relevant statutes.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=29987&highlight=coe

Your PD should have no input in re: to your C&R other than you sending them a copy of the application. Of course, there could be some wacky local ordinance where you are but unlikely. The legal requirement is to notify the CLEO (Chief Law Enforcement Officer). Some may confuse a C&R with an FFL 1 dealers license (in which case you would need a COE). If the local PD starts telling you requirements i'd explain it's a collector's FFL and not a dealers license. Or just nod politely, say thanks, be on your way and verify any local requirements on your own. I'd ignore anything the Sheriff here told me after sending in a copy of the application.

Actually a good way to handle it is send your CLEO a copy of you application along with a letter saying that you're notifying them of your application for a Collector's FFL as per federal code (cite the code) and no further action is required on their part.

[SVT_Fox]

Ahh I get it. Legally I believe that you will need both if you want them shipped to your door a CCR and a COE.

This is similar to my only questinon I had. What does each item do specifically?

[mow]

Thanks for clearing that up Tony! I only sent a copy of my CCR application to the CLEO, and didn't include a letter to my CLEO, is that going to be an issue?

SVT_Fox check out TonyNorCal's post I think it explains it and sorry if I confused.

[TonyNorCal]

Thanks for clearing that up Tony! I only sent a copy of my CCR application to the CLEO, and didn't include a letter to my CLEO, is that going to be an issue?

SVT_Fox check out TonyNorCal's post I think it explains it and sorry if I confused.

Mow, thanks. No letter to the CLEO is required. The only requirement is for you to send them a copy of the application. Some CLEOs may confuse this with a FFL 1 or feel they need to regulate you somehow. So the letter is just a way of explaining that it is...giving them the code...and letting them know indirectly you know what you're doing. Chances are it isn't necessary. Just know what barring some wacky local ordinance (which I seriously doubt) the CLEO has no input or regulatory power over your C&R. They are being notified more as a courtesy (albeit required) than anything.

Now an FFL 1 (dealers license) is very different. In that case your CLEO is required to issue you a firearms resale certificate (I looked this up recently) in order for you to get added to the DOJs centralized list of firearms dealers for DROS and ability to function. So if the CLEO doesn't want someone to sell guns they can block it. But for C&Rs the have no input.

[Kestryll]

I have had my 03FFL(C&R) for 4 years now and I do not have nor have I had a COE.
When I sent in my app the first time I sent the original and a $30 check to the BATF and a copy to the CLEO. About three weeks later there it was. No COE or any California paperwork.

As a side note I got a call from the LAPD asking why I was getting an FFL and where my store was going to be...
After 20 minutes of explaining to the LAPD Firearms officer what an 03FFL was, what I could and couldn't do with it and that it could not be used for commercial purposes he thanked me for the info. Then he paused for a minute and asked "Do we need to approve this or is it just for informational purposes?"
I think I got the new guy in the office.

[mow]

haha that's funny Kestryll!

I am still waiting for mine to arrive check was cashed 4-6-06, should be within about 4 weeks as that will be about 90 days

[mow]

SVT_Fox other than what TonyNorCal posted about the COE (ca$h and carry C&R's NEWER than 50 years), A COE will allow you to purchase more than 1 handgun every 30 days.

I am not sure if there is anything else that a COE will get you.

[SVT_Fox]

i think everything is pretty clear now, thanks for all the info guys, such a great resource!

-M