I want to be FFL

[simanovkalashnikov]

Good evening,

I want to be an FFL, but with all the laws in this state I don't know if I'll be wasting my time. Can I become an FFL easily in this state? Is it county dependant? I took a look at the ATF's website, and there's an application and a process. I need to get finger prints, face photo, hunter license, pay a fee, give a social security number, background check ......on and on. Will I be granted a license after everything checks out?

Will zoning be a factor? Can I operate from home? Any comments appreciated.

[PolishMike]

Yes zoning will be a factor, you pretty much have to have a storefront for a new FFL.

Getting the FFL won't be the problem its getting the state permits and the local ones if applicable.

Mike

[simanovkalashnikov]

Let's say I have 10 acres of unrestricted land. Will it be granted then?

[PolishMike]

Do you have a retail storefront?

[simanovkalashnikov]

No I do not have a retail storefront. I would like to build a "store front" on my property.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Let's say I have 10 acres of unrestricted land. Will it be granted then?

If your land is really "unrestricted" then you won't have any problems. If your city and/or county allow you to operate a firearms business on the property then you won't have any problems getting an FFL and the California permits.

Also, if you are an American citizen or an immigrant alien then you don't need a hunting license. The hunting license is only for non-immigrant aliens who want to become FFLs.

[simanovkalashnikov]

Good to know. What is the judgement or decision based on? Why would the state not grant me a license? So, on top of the ffl fees or licensure through ATF, I have to pay FFL permits to the government of California, right?

Thanks.

[Librarian]

Good to know. What is the judgement or decision based on? Why would the state not grant me a license? So, on top of the ffl fees or licensure through ATF, I have to pay FFL permits to the government of California, right?

Thanks.

Yes. See the CA-DOJ FAQ for FFLs - http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dlrfaqs.php and
the comparable set from the BATFE - http://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-to/become-an-ffl.html
for basic information.

[simanovkalashnikov]

Thank you.

[tenpercentfirearms]

As an existing store owner who you would be competing with, you have a horrible idea. You won't make any money, they won't accept your license, and the ATF will raid your place every chance they get. Just stay out of the gun business!

Sorry, I always find it slightly amusing when people come on here and ask how to get into the business from people you will be competing with. Personally, I think there is enough business to go around I don't care, but be careful who you ask as not all people are honest and friendly when it comes to their money.

To answer your question, the number one thing you must do is get a local business license. If you can get a local business license, then you probably are going to be an FFL. If you cannot get a local business license, you will not be an FFL in the State of California.

The ATF will take your application, they will cash your $200 check, and they will send you a license. However, when you go to the CA DOJ and you are missing just one single thing from their requirements, you will not be selling guns. The biggest hurdle by far is the local business license.

Your area might not allow firearms business in your zone. My very conservative city does not, so I have to have a retail store.

I an ex-customer of mine just got his out of his house in Kern County.

So anyone who tells you that you need a store front is misinformed. You just need a local business license, yet many jursidictions are no longer issuing business license to FFLs without a store front. However, many still are.

Again, do nothing else until you find out if you can get a business license that says, "Valid for the retail sale of firearms" on it.

Good luck.

[kemasa]

It is not County based, btw. It all depends on the specific government where you live. The local permits/licenses are the most important since it could be denied, the rest just takes time and money.

For example, you can not have a home based business in which people have to come to your location in Los Angeles county UNLESS you happen to live in a City within the County which allows for it.

[simanovkalashnikov]

Thanks for being so transparent and informative. I think there is plenty of money to go around too. The thing I don't understand now is, how I could get into a lease situation for a storefront if I'm not sure if I'll be granted local permits/licenses from the state? It's kinda nutty. I'm asking questions because I'd like to buy property a year from now where I can have a store front or gun range. They're dreams for right now.

[kemasa]

I think that you should consider the money situation before getting into a storefront. There is a bit of money to go around, but it seems like more and more people want a really good deal, if not a gift, and want to find a low price on the Internet and then have someone transfer it for almost nothing.

As far as renting and getting all the permits, you need to check with you local city/county and see if it is possible. If so, then you will need to see if you can find a landlord who will work with you. It can take quite a long time to get everything and most likely you will have to be paying rent, so you had best have a lot of money saved up.

Then, consider the costs of inventory and getting all the firearms you want to sell. Again, time and money. I doubt that you will make it if you just have firearms, so you need to figure out what the customers in your area want and whether you can provide it at a reasonable (meaning that they will buy it from you) cost.

Personally, I would not open a place in CA, but that is just me :-).

[simanovkalashnikov]

You are right about people wanting a deal if not free. I will have to think long and hard about this, cause I just don't know or really believe it will pay off. The only thing I can say in my defense is that California is a firearms heaven. I mean there are millions of guns here. This must mean people are buying, right? This state may have the most guns of all................

[kemasa]

If you can get into an area in which there are either no other gunshops or just bad ones, then you might be able to make a mint. Otherwise, it can be a problem and there is a lot to learn.

People are buying, but how do you know what they are going to want to buy? It seems like cheap firearms are selling fairly well.