California FFL

[SWMP45]

Hi I'm new to Calguns. How hard is it to get an FFL in california?

[FortCourageArmory]

It depends. Are you going to open a brick-and-mortar store and be in the business to make a profit? Or are you looking to get an FFL to improve your own collection of guns?

[m24armorer]

Crap, all I got with mine is these freaking machine gun permits


Just kidding, it's way more than that.

[SWMP45]

It depends. Are you going to open a brick-and-mortar store and be in the business to make a profit? Or are you looking to get an FFL to improve your own collection of guns?

Both I want to set up a business out my house to helpout coworkers make purchases and myself. Thanks for the reply

[MB260E]

Where are you located? I know in the most of the Bay Area it's hard if not impossible to get a FFL out of your house. I have a friend in Fremont who had to relinquish his FFL b/c he had a home based operation. As I was setting up a business (something else but related to firearms) they told me I need a B&M shop in order to have a FFL in their city.

Good Luck

[FEDUPWBS]

Crap, all I got with mine is these freaking machine gun permits


Just kidding, it's way more than that.

I HATE YOU!!

[Jicko]

Both I want to set up a business out my house to helpout coworkers make purchases and myself. Thanks for the reply

Simple answer: VERY HARD.

[Quiet]

It's takes money and requires you to jump through a lot of hoops.

Remember you need to comply with federal, state, county & city laws, ordinances and codes.

Keep in mind as a CA FFL dealer, when storing firearms they need to be in a "secure facility". Which is defined as:

(2) As used in this section, a "secure facility" means a building that meets all of the following specifications:
(A) All perimeter doorways shall meet one of the following:
(i) A windowless steel security door equipped with both a dead bolt and a doorknob lock.
(ii) A windowed metal door that is equipped with both a dead bolt and a doorknob lock. If the window has an opening of five inches or more measured in any direction, the window shall be covered with steel bars of at least 1/2-inch diameter or metal grating of at least 9 gauge affixed to the exterior or interior of the door.
(iii) A metal grate that is padlocked and affixed to the licensee's premises independent of the door and doorframe.
(B) All windows are covered with steel bars.
(C) Heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and service openings are secured with steel bars, metal grating, or an alarm system.
(D) Any metal grates have spaces no larger than six inches wide measured in any direction.
(E) Any metal screens have spaces no larger than three inches wide measured in any direction.
(F) All steel bars shall be no further than six inches apart.

So, you may need to make some upgrades to your home if you intended to use it as your place of business.

[thefooz]

Don't quote me on this, but as I understand it, for a home-based ffl you also have to have a gunsmith license. If I'm wrong, feel free to delete this post.

[Quiet]

Study CA Penal Code 12070 through 12081 that all deals with firearm dealers licensing.