Help getting the FFL

[Dark Water]

I have wanted to get the FFL for a while now but I am not sure how to go about it, or if it is even issued to people that do not want to necessarily open a gun store. I would like to be able to transfer for friends and family and operate a small word of mouth based business out of my home. As far as I can see you are only allowed to have the FFL if you are at a commercially zoned address. I am unsure if that is accurate or not. I will take any help or advice that can be offered.

[ohsmily]

As far as I can see you are only allowed to have the FFL if you are at a commercially zoned address.

That is not a federal requirement. Different counties and cities may have their own regulation requiring that, but it is not a general standard for having an FFL.

Where you live is a huge factor in this. If you live in a major city, it will be too much trouble and expense for you to get an FFL. If you live in a more rural area, it will be relatively easy to get without too many ancillary license.

[FortCourageArmory]

What ohsmily said. The AFT will first look at your intent. They want to to "be in the business of firearms dealing with the intent to make a profit". Wanting an FFL to facilitate transfers for family and friends won't cut it with the feds. If you live in any kind of city or town, you can expect the AFT to want to see you with a storefront. If you live 50 miles from the next nearest humanity, those restrictions are somewhat relaxed. Further, you will have to pass state, county and city regualtions and zoning laws. From your statement:

I have wanted to get the FFL for a while now but I am not sure how to go about it, or if it is even issued to people that do not want to necessarily open a gun store. I would like to be able to transfer for friends and family and operate a small word of mouth based business out of my home.

I don't think that will fly. The Clinton Administration eliminated literally thousands of the "kitchen-table" FFLs and the ATF is not going ot allow them back any time soon. Good luck to you if you proceed.

[Addax]

I have gone through this process, and I almost opened up a store in Simi Valley (I was almost Tim's neighbor at one point).

I learned allot through my experience, and I am still pursuing my ffl, and I will be setting up shop in a different area withing So Cal, and eventually in another state as well, that is our 12-18 month goal.

There is allot that you need to review and go over from ATF and DOJ.

Tim's input if very solid and correct.

[OCArmory]

I am currently trying to open an FFL in Orange county, and the paperwork seems to be endless. I have found a great fried to make is the person in charge of code enforcement and zoning. Not only are they masters at finding every bit of legalese in you county or city's rules they can also help introduce you to all the people from whom you will need a blessing. Good luck
Mike
OC Armory

[Dark Water]

Anymore advice on this topic. I live in Modesto and at my current point a storefront location simply is not within my price range. Is there anyway I can get the FFL and run a for profit business out of my home until my situation changes?

[FEDUPWBS]

The answer to your question is NO. Plain and simple,

Anymore advice on this topic. I live in Modesto and at my current point a storefront location simply is not within my price range. Is there anyway I can get the FFL and run a for profit business out of my home until my situation changes?

[halifax]

If you can't get past the local authorities, you'll get nowhere. You MUST start there.

[tenpercentfirearms]

The answer is not no until you go to your local planning commission and find out. They are the absolute first step. If they will allow a gun shop in a residential area, then proceed. If they will not, then you are screwed.

I wanted to run one out of my home, but even my super conservative town had a regulation against it. I was torpedoed until I found my current business partners who just happened to want to start a gun shop and had a little building to do it from.

Now my building is about to explode because there are guns, ammo, and accessories piled to the ceiling. It was time to find a bigger place two years ago!

[FortCourageArmory]

Now my building is about to explode because there are guns, ammo, and accessories piled to the ceiling. It was time to find a bigger place two years ago!

I hope to have that same problem in the next few years.....

Seriously, if your local zoning people won't allow a gun business to be run in a residential zone, you are wasting your time. I found out that there are many different levels of government that need to be appeased when I opened this store.