Decided to get my FFL, help!

[Capt. Speirs]

I decided today to get my own FFL and I have a store that is empty right now. How do I go about it? I saw FFL kits on line, sounds like a scam. The BATF web page seems easy to navigate, just not sure which license to apply for, 01 or 07.

My objective is to open a "Black Gun" store and assemble, if customer requests. The store will also have tactical gear and other accessories. I don't have a business license yet, is it necessary to have it first or can I operate under a partner's business license?

[sfwdiy]

Man, you have a long, uphill climb ahead of you. I'm sure others will have some good advice on how to start but it's gonna be a long process. Good luck, we definitely need some more friendly FFLs around here!

--Ben

[Barbarossa]

I'd incorporate and get a business license before anything else.

(no FFL experience)

[Capt. Speirs]

Man, you have a long, uphill climb ahead of you. I'm sure others will have some good advice on how to start but it's gonna be a long process. Good luck, we definitely need some more friendly FFLs around here!

--Ben

Thanks for the encouragement (I think), time I have and the business will be internet and instore sales sans guns for now.

I'd incorporate and get a business license before anything else.

Can I not use my partner's license? If not, getting a license and going LLC won't be too big a deal.

[BONECUTTER]

Call the ATF.....to build them your going to need "manufacturing" 07 I think.

But this opens up a can of worms of then you get to either sell your own lowers or stamp your name on others and most people don't like that.

A lot of silly rules about putting together a receiver and most will argue that its not "manufacturing" but assembling but the ATF feels differently and if you want to keep your FFL its a whole new can of worms.

Make sure your city/landlord will allow and OK you to sell firearms. Then start the paperwork.

You might want to consider a location change. You have a lot of competition in the Orange County and surrounding area. San Diego on the otherhand is real limited. Some locations you could be the only OLL FFL within hours. Do your homework.

[sfwdiy]

Oh yeah, it would be a really good idea to check your local zoning and business ordinances to make sure that you can even sell guns in your area in the first place before you start work on an FFL. It would suck to get a good portion of your paperwork done only to find out you need a new location.

--B

[Capt. Speirs]

Call the ATF.....to build them your going to need "manufacturing" 07 I think.

But this opens up a can of worms of then you get to either sell your own lowers or stamp your name on others and most people don't like that.

A lot of silly rules about putting together a receiver and most will argue that its not "manufacturing" but assembling but the ATF feels differently and if you want to keep your FFL its a whole new can of worms.

Make sure your city/landlord will allow and OK you to sell firearms. Then start the paperwork.

You might want to consider a location change. You have a lot of competition in the Orange County and surrounding area. San Diego on the otherhand is real limited. Some locations you could be the only OLL FFL within hours. Do your homework.

As far as competition goes, I welcome it, never been afraid. I opened an automotive repair shop once in the city of orange, where shops are like liquor stores, everywhere and it was very successful. We went into the black in 9 months. Sold it 2 1/2 years later for a huge profit, the shop is still going today 14 years later. The amount of inventory we have in accessories blows everyone away in the area.

[CHS]

If you're going to "assemble", you can only do that once the firearm has been transferred to the purchaser. To be extra safe, wait till their 10 days is up.

You can't buy lowers, assemble rifles, and then sell them. At least without getting a manufacturers FFL.

[Capt. Speirs]

If you're going to "assemble", you can only do that once the firearm has been transferred to the purchaser. To be extra safe, wait till their 10 days is up.

You can't buy lowers, assemble rifles, and then sell them. At least without getting a manufacturers FFL.

Thanks, I really didn't want to manufacture, good tip.

[BONECUTTER]

As far as competition goes, I welcome it, never been afraid. I opened an automotive repair shop once in the city of orange, where shops are like liquor stores, everywhere and it was very successful. We went into the black in 9 months. Sold it 2 1/2 years later for a huge profit, the shop is still going today 14 years later. The amount of inventory we have in accessories blows everyone away in the area.

Competition is good and all......as are more black rifle gun shops but within 45 minutes of central OC we have Ades, J&J, OC armory, Riflegear (anyday), Ammo bros, Coldwar....im sure im missing a few more.

You will need to do something that really stands out to make money. Goodluck.

[cannon]

As far as competition goes, I welcome it, never been afraid. I opened an automotive repair shop once in the city of orange, where shops are like liquor stores, everywhere and it was very successful. We went into the black in 9 months. Sold it 2 1/2 years later for a huge profit, the shop is still going today 14 years later. The amount of inventory we have in accessories blows everyone away in the area.

I like your style and attitude. Good luck and don't forget a website and websales.

[Capt. Speirs]

I like your style and attitude. Good luck and don't forget a website and websales.

Starting to set up tomorrow at 3pm

[Quiet]

Once you get all the Fed stuff down, then you'll have to work on the CA stuff.

Penal Code 12071
(a)(1) As used in this chapter, the term "licensee," "person licensed pursuant to Section 12071," or "dealer" means a person who has all of the following:
(A) A valid federal firearms license.
(B) Any regulatory or business license, or licenses, required by local government.
(C) A valid seller's permit issued by the State Board of Equalization.
(D) A certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to paragraph (4).
(E) A license issued in the format prescribed by paragraph (6).
(F) Is among those recorded in the centralized list specified in subdivision (e).
(2) The duly constituted licensing authority of a city, county, or a city and county shall accept applications for, and may grant licenses permitting, licensees to sell firearms at retail within the city, county, or city and county. The duly constituted licensing authority shall inform applicants who are denied licenses of the reasons for the denial in writing.
(3) No license shall be granted to any applicant who fails to provide a copy of his or her valid federal firearms license, valid seller's permit issued by the State Board of Equalization, and the certificate of eligibility described in paragraph (4).
(4) A person may request a certificate of eligibility from the Department of Justice and the Department of Justice shall issue a certificate to an applicant if the department's records indicate that the applicant is not a person who is prohibited from possessing firearms.
(5) The department shall adopt regulations to administer the certificate of eligibility program and shall recover the full costs of administering the program by imposing fees assessed to applicants who apply for those certificates.
(6) A license granted by the duly constituted licensing authority of any city, county, or city and county, shall be valid for not more than one year from the date of issuance and shall be in one of the following forms:
(A) In the form prescribed by the Attorney General.
(B) A regulatory or business license that states on its face "Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms" and is endorsed by the signature of the issuing authority.
(C) A letter from the duly constituted licensing authority having primary jurisdiction for the applicant's intended business location stating that the jurisdiction does not require any form of regulatory or business license or does not otherwise restrict or regulate the sale of firearms.
(7) Local licensing authorities may assess fees to recover their full costs of processing applications for licenses.

[tenpercentfirearms]

First, local zoning. You must get approved by the local zoning and you might even want the business license in hand before you go any further. If you can't get local zoning approved, you can't have a gun shop. At least not a legal one.

Second, apply for your FFL. At the same time you will need your ficticious business license, retail sellers permit, and DOJ Certificate of Eligibility. I would just incorporate now as well.

Once you have everything together, then you will send all of that up to the DOJ and you will be done. It took us about 4-5 months to get up and running.

Personally, I say don't do it. There is a much better mark up and less restrictive businesses to be in. You will start off with these lofty goals of being the people's gun shop and getting people good deals. However, as you spend hours working on inventory, dealing with customers, auditing paperwork, and answering e-mails, you will start to miss your family and/or your free time and the 20-30% profit will suddenly not seem to be very worth it.

So make it a gun shop combined with a dollar and liquor store and maybe a pawn shop too.

Good luck.

Also screw those kits. You don't need them. The only people you should get help from is

http://www.rkffl.com/

Order their CA kit and it will have all of the signs you need for your gun shop and also a checklist for completing DROS. That checklist is going to keep you in business.

[PIRATE14]

So make it a gun shop combined with a dollar and liquor store and maybe a pawn shop too.

I was thinkin more of a strip club.....but damn the zoning for those is like a getting gunshop.....

There is already a liquor store a few doors down....

You can than ship all your Bullet Buttons for "FREEEEEE"