How to become an FFL (gun dealer) in California

[ugimports]

i couldn't find anything on this subject, hoping someone in this thread might know or have experience on it..

if i rented out an office within a warehouse (non-firearm business), basically sharing the warehouse with another business, would that be permitted when obtaining a business license "Valid for the retail sale of firearms"? would that be dependent on the city (Orange) or is that up to the CA DOJ?

a good friend of mine has a warehouse and we're looking in to converting an unused office and warehouse space in to an FFL, if that is even allowed.

It depends.. I am in a shared office building (similar in control to what you mentioned). It will depend on your city requirements. ATF and DOJ won't care as long as you meet their security requirements and you can get the city permit.

You need to ensure:
1) How shipments will be handled
2) How you will secure your space (my landlords have a key, but not my alarm code. If they enter without my knowledge the alarm will sound)
3) Comply with any additional city requirements on your space hardening (I had to install extra precautions inside of my office space for the city to sign off)
plus whatever the city makes you do. The way your space is addressed may matter as well.
4) Clearly define what is stored in the warehouse vs. office area

If not abundantly obvious your landlord has to approve which I'm assuming is whoever owns (your friend) the warehouse. You'll need a letter signed from them to the ATF giving you permission to run the business with their knowledge.

[Baboosh]

ATF? Or is it for the CA DOJ?

DOJ, the ATF didn't care about any state or city regulations when issuing our license. They did follow up 90 days after issuing our license asking if we complied with all state and local laws required to obtain the FFL.

[ASD1]

the "office" yes it is under YOUR control.

"Part" of a warehouse no as you do not have control of it.

There are a bunch of security requirements for the location of a FFL. (see the sticky at the top of page)

that being said if you were only storing non firearm items in the warehouse it has nothing to do with a FFL lic

So if you could keep all firearms in the "office area" it might work

[deviljon]

i couldn't find anything on this subject, hoping someone in this thread might know or have experience on it..

if i rented out an office within a warehouse (non-firearm business), basically sharing the warehouse with another business, would that be permitted when obtaining a business license "Valid for the retail sale of firearms"? would that be dependent on the city (Orange) or is that up to the CA DOJ?

a good friend of mine has a warehouse and we're looking in to converting an unused office and warehouse space in to an FFL, if that is even allowed.

[ugimports]

Good call, I don't recall now, you might be right DOJ. Either way, city doesn't really give a crap, but the DOJ or ATF will.

[kemasa]

The requirement for "Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms" is for the ATF. If your business doesn't say that or something close to it your FFL won't be valid.

ATF? Or is it for the CA DOJ?

[Condorguns]

Not any harder than any other county.

[XDmax]

Any input on how hard it is to get a FFL in Riverside county?

[ugimports]

Does anyone know if the city of San Diego requires the business license to say "Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms" and does it take six months like other people have experienced?

The requirement for "Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms" is for the ATF. If your business doesn't say that or something close to it your FFL won't be valid.

[CA Gun Laws Suck]

Does anyone know if the city of San Diego requires the business license to say "Valid for Retail Sales of Firearms" and does it take six months like other people have experienced?

[taperxz]

Maybe the ATF's willingness to provide license first is case-by-case. I paid rent on my office space for over 9 months as I went through the process. I agree that you *should* get your business license first, but in my case it didn't preclude the ATF from giving me the FFL.

ATF License - 90 days
Fremont City Business License - 6 months
CA License - 30 days

So, yeah, paying for space for ~12 months with no revenue was part of my investment/business plan. I've since made up for it (that was 5 years ago).

Thanks for the reply. I talked to the city attorney in Burlingame and they talked to my ATF contact. We get our license to sell firearms from the city tomorrow.

[ugimports]

Interesting. It shows otherwise in this thread and i was advised by ATF to get the business license first also.

Problem: Sign a lease agreement, get FFL, and then HOPE there are no problems in getting a business license in the city where i am applying?

Maybe the ATF's willingness to provide license first is case-by-case. I paid rent on my office space for over 9 months as I went through the process. I agree that you *should* get your business license first, but in my case it didn't preclude the ATF from giving me the FFL.

ATF License - 90 days
Fremont City Business License - 6 months
CA License - 30 days

So, yeah, paying for space for ~12 months with no revenue was part of my investment/business plan. I've since made up for it (that was 5 years ago).

[taperxz]

no, but ATF will give you an FFL first. I had to do the same. Told ATF I can't show you business license until I have FFL to show city. So they gave me license and told me it's not "active" until I get them copy of Business License.

Interesting. It shows otherwise in this thread and i was advised by ATF to get the business license first also.

Problem: Sign a lease agreement, get FFL, and then HOPE there are no problems in getting a business license in the city where i am applying?

[ugimports]

no, but ATF will give you an FFL first. I had to do the same. Told ATF I can't show you business license until I have FFL to show city. So they gave me license and told me it's not "active" until I get them copy of Business License.

[taperxz]

Is there an ATF memo for the business license issue? The city we are applying at wants the FFL first.