Gunsmithing license and course

[LEKNIGHT]

do you have to have a special license?

any courses available in the bay area?

[HiRiseFMX]

No courses available in the bay area, or California for the most part. From my understanding, Lassen Community College(Susanville, CA.) is/was a premiere gunsmithing school, but some say things have changed. If you wish to look into Lassen as an option, you will be greeted with no answering of phone calls or emails, then after doing more research you will find out there is a waiting list over a year long. Many now point to Colorado and Arizona to have the best programs available. I on the other hand have opted to go the ways of AGI, the American Gunsmithing Institute. It is an at home study course that provides you with the teachings of Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlap, who used to run the Lassen Gunsmith School. Throught the guidance of my local gunsmith who is very well-known for his skills in northern california, and his teacher Bob Dunlap, I have went this route, and was also instructed to take a Machine Shop class as well and a TIG Welding course to familiarize myself with relevant machines before moving on. i'm told this will give me enough knowledge to work on an apprenticeship with him @ my friend's gun store. Good luck with finding your route, but AGI also has a 1 year money back guarantee, so if you buy the course, dont like it for any reason, you can return within a year for a full refund. Hope this helps.

[blakdawg]

You need to have a federal firearms license (FFL) - either as a gunsmith (which by ATF's definition is closer to the traditional role of an armorer) or as a manufacturer.

[HiRiseFMX]

Blakdawg is correct, something I did leave out is you will need an ffl and to fill out all the fun paperwork, background checks, fingerprint cards, interviews w/ ATF, the works. There are 7+ different types of FFL licensing you can apply for depending on what you desire to do with firearms. AGI also sells induvidual courses on specific firearms if you might wish how to work on a particular firearm as a hobby for yourself, not for money. www.americangunsmithinginstitute.org has more info.

[LEKNIGHT]

how much is AGI? have you learned alot?

[Milspec714]

gunsmith

how much is AGI? have you learned alot?

from a previous thread...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=431816

[HiRiseFMX]

AGI definitely isnt cheap, I purchased the Pro Course 1 and it ran $3,587, shipped to my door the next day. However, I plan on turning this into a career in hopes of following in the footsteps of my local gunsmith. If your looking to have something to prove your knowledge(4 certifications to receive) and take it to the next step like getting your FFL, then it is a good idea to get the course. But like I mentioned earlier, AGI has a one year money-back gaurantee. So if you have your doubts after/during/before you finish the course, send it back and get all your money back. The one thing I did find that will void the return of you money is if you decided to take part in their tests and send them in for grading purposes. I've chosen the route to do the course and decide if I can hack it after i finish machine/tig weld classes, then I will be doing the tests so I can get my certificates. Bob Dunlap has a wealth of knowledge to provide through these dvd courses and I have yet to find anyone dissatisfied with it. I had 5 pages of notes by the time I finished the first video and i like to consider myself somewhat informed when it comes to firearms.