How to become an FFL (gun dealer) in California

[Librarian]

TTAG has an article today - https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...to-get-an-ffl/

Aside from leaving out the CA-specific bits, does this seem correct?

[kemasa]

TTAG has an article today - https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...to-get-an-ffl/

Aside from leaving out the CA-specific bits, does this seem correct?

Pretty much accurate, although the IOI doesn't know the local stuff. Getting the FFL is the easy part, all of the state and local issues can vary from easy to near impossible or in some cases flat out impossible. Try opening a FFL business in the city of Los Angeles, for example. Then you need to learn all the laws and issues, which takes a lot and is ongoing.

It is kind of like saying it is easy to open a restaurant because it is easy to learn to cook.

[audiophil2]

A little vague on the home based aspect. ATF cannot inspect your entire home unless you make your entire home your business. You can designate specific areas and that is all they can enter without a warrant.

The gunshow thing is not entirely correct either. If I pull a gun out of inventory for personal use I can sell it privately after holding it for 1 year off the books. ATF recommends putting it back on the books but it is not required.

The article leaves out the business structure and all the pros and cons for each type that have a big impact on FFLs.

[ronlglock]

How to become an FFL (gun dealer) in California

A little vague on the home based aspect. ATF cannot inspect your entire home unless you make your entire home your business. You can designate specific areas and that is all they can enter without a warrant.

The gunshow thing is not entirely correct either. If I pull a gun out of inventory for personal use I can sell it privately after holding it for 1 year off the books. ATF recommends putting it back on the books but it is not required.

The article leaves out the business structure and all the pros and cons for each type that have a big impact on FFLs.

I have heard of it happening. Maybe they changed their procedures. I am checking up on this story right now.

I just had my ATF visit for an FFL-01. The agent would not make an appointment until I emailed these documents to him:

• Local (city) business license. Mine does NOT have "good for the retail sales of firearms" but I applied as a consultant/evaluator.
• CA resale license
• Filed documents of incorporation (my company is an LLC)
• Statement from my landlord approving a firearms business (home-based, so I sent him my tax bill to prove ownership)

[kemasa]

Well, it depends on what you mean by that, but a FFL can use an inventory firearm, so a FFL could take an off-roster firearm and use it as a demo gun or other things, but it has to be documented where the firearm is. The FFL just can't transfer it to their personal collection in CA since FFLs are not exempt from the roster.

I just had my ATF visit for an FFL-01. The agent would not make an appointment until I emailed these documents to him:

• Local (city) business license. Mine does NOT have "good for the retail sales of firearms" but I applied as a consultant/evaluator.
• CA resale license
• Filed documents of incorporation (my company is an LLC)
• Statement from my landlord approving a firearms business (home-based, so I sent him my tax bill to prove ownership)

Some of that is a bit of a problem since many cities won't issue a business license unless the person has a FFL. It was a long time ago, but I think my FFL was issued without requiring anything and no inspection, but I could not make use of it until I got all of the permits/licenses. Things have changed though.

[ronlglock]

[RedPandaGear]

Retail "secure facility" statute

In ADDITION to Permits and Politics ...

The State has requirements for storage of firearms and ammunition, and local governments may add to these:
Penal Code 29141 describes a 'secure facility'; that's in with manufacturers (Division 7, Chapter 2), but also mentioned in
Penal Code 26890 regarding storage of inventory firearms by ordinary FFLs (Division 6, Chapter 2); 'secure facility' is not defined in that chapter.

retail has its own, slightly different from manufacture

PC 17110

[Nwrigala]

FFL In LA City

Has anyone been able to acquire a valid business license in the city of los angeles and if so was it home based or did you lease a location. I'd like to develop an e-commerce site an operate from my home but I seem to be hitting road block after road block.

Finally if LA City isn't an option are there neighboring cities that you would recommend.

[tcobtm]

Are there any home based FFL dealer in unincorporated Fresno County that can provide me with some information regarding the permits required by Fresno County to start my home based gun business?

[Nardo1895]

PM sent

[jrivera408]

Thanks @ ugimports

[ugimports]

Did you read this thread? It pretty much answers your question.

TL;DR answer is:
1) get local licensing if required (check zoning)
2) get atf licensing
3) get doj licensing

[UNDERNOPRETEXT]

Are there any home based/appointment only FFLs in LA county (looking at the east side (Altadena, Pasadena, Silver Lake). I notice that most LGS are in Burbank/Glendale. I imagine that's cause of zoning. Anyone willing to talk me through how I can go about this?

[esepulveda36]

Good morning,

I have a question and apologies if it?s in the wrong thread. Applying and looking into the FLL03, not really gun dealer. I live in the city of San Leandro in Alameda county. Does anybody know of any zoning ordinances in place or how do I go about asking that question without sounding dumb or crazy. Want to make sure I?m complying with that zoning ordinance part. I?m not really opening up a store or business it?s just a collector license. Thanks!


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[ugimports]

Good morning,

I have a question and apologies if it?s in the wrong thread. Applying and looking into the FLL03, not really gun dealer. I live in the city of San Leandro in Alameda county. Does anybody know of any zoning ordinances in place or how do I go about asking that question without sounding dumb or crazy. Want to make sure I?m complying with that zoning ordinance part. I?m not really opening up a store or business it?s just a collector license. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Zoning doesn't apply for FFL03 - you're not a business.