Opening a gun store?

[Eagle87Tango]

I was driving home from work yesterday when I went by this old mall here in Barstow that now only has a couple of businesses in it and it got me thinking about things. I was wondering if some of the people on this board who have had experience starting/running a gun shop could post on their experiences. Barstow would be a great place to run a shop like that. So many people drive through our town on their way to vegas and back.

[Guns R Tools]

I think that most important thing is getting a license from federal goverment.
FFL XX

That's all I know about the gun store business.

[FortCourageArmory]

You will need:
Money
An FFL from the ATF
Money
A storefront
Money
Local permits
Money
State of CA permits and licenses
Money
and did I mention you'd need money?

Other than that...it's a cinch.

[Eagle87Tango]

Well, money...I could get a loan for that. Hm...I would want my own small building though I think. I wouldn't want a little hole in the wall in some half-abandoned shopping mall.

[SJgunguy24]

Call the ATF and order the FFL ap. It's pretty invasive. It's 3k just to process the ap. Not to mention the insurance ,might have to carry a bond. The paperwork alone is amazing,but of course on the back of every ATF form there is a "Paperwork Reduction Act " notice. Also you will give up some rights. I have a 03 C&R and they can show up anytime to go through my boundbook. It sounds cool but HUGE headache.

[freakshow10mm]

No, if you have an 03 they can meet you. They do not conduct inspections on premises with a C&R.

[OCArmory]

It's $200 for an 01 FFL. In california there is no bond needed. You need your
local business liscence
resaler liscence
any county permits for firearms sales
if selling used stuff a state and local second hand dealers permit
certificate of eligibility from the DOJ
and your FFL
It's a lot of paperwork and you have to have your location first since most of these permits are address specific. Definitely doable though. Unlike an 03 FFL your premise is open to inspection during normal business hours.

[OCArmory]

You can PM me and I'll let you know how much to plan for liability insurance. The easiest way is through Brownwell's or the NRA

[OCArmory]

Oh yeah and the loan part isn't as easy as you would think. I looked at several still haven't found a bank willing to do firearms retail.

[Eagle87Tango]

OCArmory, PM sent

[Eagle87Tango]

Well, without fail the freeway going through barstow is jam packed every friday and sunday evening. Some of these people go to vegas every weekend, it's crazy.

[FortCourageArmory]

I think the idead of setting up shop in a town that people drive through may be a little unworkable for a business that can't deliver it's core product for 10 days from purchase/registration. You need to know if the everyday population can sustain your business over the long haul. If not, you'll go quickly out of business. No one wants to see that. While it's true that I-15 is jammed evey weekendf with traffic coming and going to Las Vegas, how many will stop by your store to shop on their way? Gun buyers aren't tourists making quick impulse buys like at a 7-Eleven. You should probably do a little more research into location before committing finances to this project.

[Eagle87Tango]

You should probably do a little more research into location before committing finances to this project.

Agreed. I'll be researching this topic. If anyone can suggest an area that's got gun friendly folks in need of a good store not too far out of the way of everyone else, let me know!

[what2be]

I think the idead of setting up shop in a town that people drive through may be a little unworkable for a business that can't deliver it's core product for 10 days from purchase/registration. You need to know if the everyday population can sustain your business over the long haul. If not, you'll go quickly out of business. No one wants to see that. While it's true that I-15 is jammed evey weekendf with traffic coming and going to Las Vegas, how many will stop by your store to shop on their way? Gun buyers aren't tourists making quick impulse buys like at a 7-Eleven. You should probably do a little more research into location before committing finances to this project.

Agree 100%. Sounds like a horrible idea tbh.

Think of this, 90% of the traffic on the weekends are tourists making last minute plans to go to vegas for the weekend. It could be MONTHS or WEEKS before they come back. Who the hell wants to buy a gun, then have to figure out the logistics of when they can come back to pick it up?
No thanks.

Your local market is what you have to cater to. They will be the ones that will make or break your store.