Diary of a Would-Be FFL

[CIV Tactical]

gadsdenarmory I am thinking the same thing you are. The folks down in city hall dont have a clue about the difference between parts and actual firearms. Im hoping when the cheif calls me he understands the difference and understands I do not need an ffl to deal in parts. When he calls I am going to get the appropriate info on if they will even allow an ffl in oakland. If not im headed to arizona where I can get one at home..

[Librarian]

gadsdenarmory I am thinking the same thing you are. The folks down in city hall dont have a clue about the difference between parts and actual firearms. Im hoping when the cheif calls me he understands the difference and understands I do not need an ffl to deal in parts. When he calls I am going to get the appropriate info on if they will even allow an ffl in oakland. If not im headed to arizona where I can get one at home..

The issue with Oakland in particular is that they impose an additional sales tax on businesses that sell guns - and it applies to EVERYTHING that store sells. In other words, the tax cripples the business, since it cannot price-compete with other stores that might sell similar sporting goods.

You need to see the Municipal code Chapter 5.26 and 5.04.485

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, commencing January 1, 1998, for every person engaged in the business of selling firearms or firearms ammunition, as defined by this section, the tax shall be sixty dollars ($60.00) per year or fractional part thereof for the first two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) or less of gross receipts, plus twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per year for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of gross receipts or fractional part thereof in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) from selling firearms or firearms ammunition or from any other activity which is subject to tax under the provisions of this chapter.

[Obviously a Plant]

Oakland is not a business friendly town. Their tax on gross receipts is absurd, and they wonder why the only new businesses downtown are pot shops. Even SF seems like a better place to try and open a store. Not sure about Emeryville, but they have a much more sympathetic ear for commerce. You may not need to move back to AZ yet, but do your business outside of Oakland and you might stand a chance of making a profit...

[d4v0s]

GadsdenArmory.

I know you are still in the planning stages, but throughout reading everything I kept getting tripped up on the work gadsden... I kept reading gadsen. I know its probably stupid to bring up but just wanted you to know I had trouble with the name. I dont know if that will affect your business at all, but i thought it was worth mentioning.

GA consignments
GAHQ (Gadsden Armory Head Quarters)
GA curio and relic
GA conversions (Single shot conversion?)

just a few ideas I had for you, sorry if this is ill timed as your still working on actually getting the groundwork layed!

[tenpercentfirearms]

Dear Calgunners,

So last night heard back from the licensing office. They said there is no room to put the DOJ required "Valid for the retail sale of firearms" other than in the address line. She said they can notate it in their computer, but I think I'll just have them do both. Only other option is to throw it in the typewriter after the fact, and I'm not sure I want to risk it looking hinky.

Don't worry about hinky. Worry about not having it. My city has a little red stamp they must have made and they stamp it on my license. Simply ask them to type it in with a typewriter or ask if you can pay to have a stamp made for them and have them stamp it on there.

It has to be on there, so just make that part happen!

[TheExpertish]

12/06/2011

Dear Calgunners,

So after a marital meltdown, I have the wife back on board. She was trying to put her foot down and say I could no longer pursue this venture. Forget everything else, you're going nowhere fast if you don't have the support of your loved ones let alone the city you're trying to set up shop in. Mostly I think she was just upset about her work and was taking it out on me. It happens.

So, no word from the insurance companies I requested quotes from. I'll definitely start using NRA business affiliates as curvejunkie suggested. I will be putting in my COE application this week. Probably should have done this sooner even as a collector, but better late than never. Was also looking into a second city as an alternative. Turns out they'd be more expensive and because it would require final approval from Sheriff Gore, I'm much less comfortable with it. They insist you go through the whole process backwards in order to obtain the city permit, and it leaves too much to the whim of the sheriff. Not to mention it's a $379 non-refundable application fee. They also want a state second hand sellers license if I want to sell or consign used guns. In my primary location's city I thought all I needed was a permit from the police chief? How have you guys done it?

Also, after much consideration I am abandoning the Gadsden Armory name all together. d4v0s, you happened to be thinking pretty much along the same lines as my wife and I have. The one I have chosen is much more suitable, subtle, sounds better, and actually has personal meaning rather than something that identifies with personal freedoms. Kind of a "get you're own moniker" moment. The name I have chosen is:

Aventine Outfitters

Why? Okay, so here's my reasons. Aventine is derived from Mons Aventinus, one of the seven ancient hills on which Rome was built. In English it's a noun meaning; "a post of security or defense". Nice, huh? Plus, I'm half Italian and 7 is a good number so fugetaboutit! Better?

[TheExpertish]

Dilemma of the day: Do I need to apply as a pawnbroker as well in order to buy and consign second hand firearms?

[kemasa]

I don't think you need to be a pawnbroker, but you do need a secondhand dealer license/permit and also use the FDAS system.

[TheExpertish]

I don't think you need to be a pawnbroker, but you do need a secondhand dealer license/permit and also use the FDAS system.

Okay, in the FAQ here I read that it needed to come from the CLEO, but I read a Sheriff document stating that it needed to come from the state. Which is it?
Edit: I think I found the info and it's both technically. License comes from the state while permission comes from the CLEO.

[kemasa]

Yes, I believe that is how it is done.

[TheExpertish]

Yes, I believe that is how it is done.

Stupid laws. Why can't there be just one and check the boxes you need instead of this piece here, that part there? Government efficiency at it's best.

[GunSafari]

buying and selling used guns I think you need to wait 30+ days while you wait for the firearm to be verified or something along those lines

[kemasa]

Yep, I have heard that there is a 30 day waiting period. I think that the claim is to ensure that it is not stolen. Yes, 30 days is a long time, but if someone was on vacation, they might not be aware of the theft for quite some time.

[TheExpertish]

Makes sense.

[paul0660]

Aventine Outfitters

If you are going to choose anything, then make it Aaventine Outfitters.

Then you will be first on everyone's list.

Also, I don't know how old you are, but I have noticed a little reticence on your part in some of your posts about interactions with the powers that be.

If there is not a law against it, you can do it. If a civil servant hems and haws, get your politely aggressive hat on and figure out what the deal is. If possible, be aware of their codes before you start asking them questions, so that you can lead them to their own code and find the answer you want. (This works especially well with the DOJ!)

Don't be preemptively shy about soccer moms and school zones. They have nothing to do with your business, and you should be assertive about that. Good luck.

btw that mature polite aggressive tempo is going to work with everything you do, from buying product to selling it, and everything between AND otherwise.