How to become an FFL (gun dealer) in California

[Ferrum]

I see the requirements for a business license with the appropriate language. I live in an area that doesn't issue business licenses in unincorporated areas. On the counties website (Amador) the have a letter stating that no business licenses are required in these unincorporated areas. Would this letter suffice?

[ugimports]

I think thats fine

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[winxp_man]

So after reading the first few pages of this awesome thread I have a question. I live in Sacramento county not the city though. Got my local business license but it has the statement "firearm sales" or "firearm resale" on it (the papers are at my shop it's why I can't say which). Is that good to go? Or do I need it to state "valid for the retail sale of firearms"

Thanks for any info. Great thread though!

[ugimports]

I have a business where I make custom Kydex Holsters. I am thinking of getting my FFL license so that I can take and hold customers guns legally while I make their custom holster.

Would it be advisable to get an FFL? or is it like everything else here in California, Just a pain in the butt when it comes to dealing with anything gun related?

If you can afford to do it and it makes sense for your business model. Depending where you try to get your FFL there could be anywhere from hundreds to thousands in new expenses.

[us against them]

I have a business where I make custom Kydex Holsters. I am thinking of getting my FFL license so that I can take and hold customers guns legally while I make their custom holster.

Would it be advisable to get an FFL? or is it like everything else here in California, Just a pain in the butt when it comes to dealing with anything gun related?

[Librarian]

I was trying to look this up online but couldn't find anything concrete. Is there any limitations to opening a gun shop near a school? Is there a certain distance a retail store would have to be away from school or is it up to the city zoning?

City/County - state does not care.

The Brady Bunch is cruising the state, trying to get local governments to implement a 500-foot distance from schools, parks, liquor stores, other gun stores and residential-zoned property. Your local government may have been infected.

[CA Gun Laws Suck]

I was trying to look this up online but couldn't find anything concrete. Is there any limitations to opening a gun shop near a school? Is there a certain distance a retail store would have to be away from school or is it up to the city zoning?

[ugimports]

You are not required to do sales. Just be in the business. For example, a gun range is in the business (think Chabot). A gunsmith is in the business (most don't do sales, but may need to keep firearms overnight for work).

[FireCloud9]

It's the same license and requirements regardless if you're doing sales so all the same rules apply. You might be able to get more lenient requirements from your local zoning (city/county) if you tell them no sales, such as if you were a gunsmith.

Thanks for the response. Yes, I would imagine that it's the same license and requirements.

My concern is that I read on this thread that unless someone is in the "business" the FFL is revoked and that meant engaged in sales.

But I'm only interested in the possibility of a dedicated storage (long term, short term, temporary, etc.) service.

So I'm less concerned about the licensing requirements and more concerned as to whether my FFL would be revoked if I don't engage in sales.

Can't he apply for CFD Exempt therefor no DOJ requirements.

However CFD exempt you cannot receive firearms from dealers, do DROS nor apply for any of the CA licenses.

And that would be fine. This would only be a firearms storage business.

Yeah, I think that's what a gunsmith does.. The FFL part/process would be the same. So perhaps he'd save on some livescan fees and an extra $150 (forgot the price) for the CL renewal and the extra paperwork involved there.

So I retract my previous post I guess it is a little different

I would agree that it may very well be the same. The question is whether I would lose the FFL if I do not engage in sales as that seems to be one of the requirements to be "in the business". So I'm wondering if I'll have to do the occasional sale even if the intent is to provide a storage service.

Plus side is he never has to deal with the DOJ. No inspections.

Well that's certainly good to know.

[Baboosh]

Plus side is he never has to deal with the DOJ. No inspections.

[ugimports]

Yeah, I think that's what a gunsmith does.. The FFL part/process would be the same. So perhaps he'd save on some livescan fees and an extra $150 (forgot the price) for the CL renewal and the extra paperwork involved there.

So I retract my previous post I guess it is a little different

[Baboosh]

Can't he apply for CFD Exempt therefor no DOJ requirements.

However CFD exempt you cannot receive firearms from dealers, do DROS nor apply for any of the CA licenses.

[ugimports]

Is it possible to obtain an FFL to provide a home based gun storage service rather than sales?

It's the same license and requirements regardless if you're doing sales so all the same rules apply. You might be able to get more lenient requirements from your local zoning (city/county) if you tell them no sales, such as if you were a gunsmith.

[FireCloud9]

Is it possible to obtain an FFL to provide a home based gun storage service rather than sales?

[deviljon]

Thanks guys! The warehouse is actually not owned by my friend, it is rented and he would need to run it by the landlord before we even proceed with the business license application.