Thinking about getting FFL...

[Guest]

I'm getting tired of dealing with the local FFL holders. Never return phone calls, don't want to handle second party transfers, rude, etc. So I've been thinking of getting Class 1 FFL. Seems easy enough on the federal level, but what kind of bureauracratic hurdles would I need to deal with in CA. I live in a small town and not near any schools. I would be working from my home.

Thanks

[Mssr. Eleganté]

First, just to clear up some terms, I think what you want to get is a Type 01 FFL, or "Dealer" FFL. A Class 1 FFL is what you call a Type 08 or Type 11 FFL that has also gotten a Class 1 SOT to import NFA firearms ( machineguns, silencers... )
If the local town council thinks that you want to start importing machineguns they might freak out.

The biggest obstacle to you getting a Type 01 FFL that the Feds will put up is zoning. You will have to prove to ATF that there are no local zoning laws which prohibit you from running a gunshop from your home. If you don't own your home, you will need to prove to ATF that your landlord doesn't mind if you run a gunshop from your home. Liability insurance will also cost a fortune. I have also heard that if you don't sell enough firearms per year, ATF will not renew your FFL because they figure you are not really running a business. I can't find anything in the law that would justify them doing this, but many FFL's have reported it happening. Maybe ATF just tries to intimidate people to give up their FFL's by bluffing.

Once you get OK'd by the ATF, you will then need to get approved by CalDOJ to become a "California Licensed Firearms Dealer", a process I know nothing about. But a couple of folks here have gone through the process and might be along shortly to give you some tips.

I was in the same spot you are in now, with rude Dealers refusing to do out of state transfers for me, even though I'd spent several thousand dollars in their shops. Or offering to do transfers for $200 per gun. Luckily for me, my main interest is in older firearms. A Type 03 FFL "Collector of Curios & Relics" fit the bill perfectly. It only costs 1/10th of what a Type 01 FFL costs, and it's almost impossible for ATF to deny your application.

[Guest]

First, just to clear up some terms, I think what you want to get is a Type 01 FFL, or "Dealer" FFL. A Class 1 FFL is what you call a Type 08 or Type 11 FFL that has also gotten a Class 1 SOT to import NFA firearms ( machineguns, silencers... )
If the local town council thinks that you want to start importing machineguns they might freak out.

Yes, Type 01 would be correct.

The biggest obstacle to you getting a Type 01 FFL that the Feds will put up is zoning. You will have to prove to ATF that there are no local zoning laws which prohibit you from running a gunshop from your home. If you don't own your home, you will need to prove to ATF that your landlord doesn't mind if you run a gunshop from your home. Liability insurance will also cost a fortune.

My home is zoned C-2, although across the street is multi-unit residential. I'd need to check on the insurance.

I have also heard that if you don't sell enough firearms per year, ATF will not renew your FFL because they figure you are not really running a business. I can't find anything in the law that would justify them doing this, but many FFL's have reported it happening. Maybe ATF just tries to intimidate people to give up their FFL's by bluffing.

I hadn't planned on stocking and selling guns, but instead handling transfers for a fee. I wonder if that would satisfy ATF. Don't gunsmiths have FFLs without being in the business of selling guns?

Anyway, this was just a thought brought about by the frustration of dealing with the few dealers around here. Sure would be nice though.

Thanks

[stillbigmac]

If you want to do transfers your going to need a CA dealer number and an MCI DROS account. To get these accounts you need to get an FFL, a business license, a resale license, and if necesary (depends on locality) a local firearms license. Once you have all of these and you have you security set up, thats right security is REQUIRED, you can apply to get on the list of CA dealers, get your dealer # and setup your MCI dros account. Once you have a DROS account you can begin doing transfers.

I forgot to mention, If you want to sell used guns or buy guns from private parties you must also get a second hand dealers license.

You could get a gunsmith license, but you cant transfer firearms with it.. CA is actually trying to eliminate the gunsmiths ability to order firearms directly..

It can be done. There are a couple of websites I looked at while I was looking into it.. RK enterprises has alot of info on becoming an FFL. The hardest part was getting all the licenses in the 30 day time frame the feds give you .

[Guest]

stillbigbac,

Thank you. This is very helpful information.

I checked with the city today, and they don't seem to a probplem with this. I must contact police chief to see what he would require.

The RK enterprises site looks promising. BTW what agency issues second hand dealers licenses?

Thanks again

[stillbigmac]

It's a combination of your city and the state...
You may have to ask about a pawnbroker/second hand dealer license app.

You'll find it's the most expensive one (it was for me anyway).
The ATF website also spells out the process if you look hard enough. (for the FFL stuff not second hand dealer).

To get the retail resale licesne your going to have to get a DBA unless you are using your own name as the business name.. you may want to look into the spoecifics on that as well.