home based 01FFL???

[efillc]

I would also caution any potential "home" FFL's as I am one: once you build a customer base (through good prices and excellent customer service) expect to spend much more time than you possibly imagined doing this. Between tons of paperwork, ordering guns/supplies, answering customer phone calls and emails and meeting with customers+keeping a day job, you will have little to no time left. Financially, unless you want to do this as a tax shelter, you will find the business doesn't truly pay for itself, let alone turn a profit, until you have customers coming in regularly. If you can do it, great, just be ready for this to be a bigger commitment than you might think.

Truer words never said! But by the same token we have met some of the best folks around, made some wonderful friends, and a few are even kind enough to show up occasionally with food - typically pizza, but we've also gotten steaks, Girl Scout cookies, and extra produce from gardens.

[Rudolf the Red]

I would also caution any potential "home" FFL's as I am one: once you build a customer base (through good prices and excellent customer service) expect to spend much more time than you possibly imagined doing this. Between tons of paperwork, ordering guns/supplies, answering customer phone calls and emails and meeting with customers+keeping a day job, you will have little to no time left. Financially, unless you want to do this as a tax shelter, you will find the business doesn't truly pay for itself, let alone turn a profit, until you have customers coming in regularly. If you can do it, great, just be ready for this to be a bigger commitment than you might think.

I could rush through my sales but since we are in my garage, I feel at home and talk alot. Customers come back and bring friends and coworkers. I make a bit of money on gunbroker by looking for great deals and flipping the guns at gun shows. Here is an example and the exact reason I love having an FFL and HC Magazine Permit. I bought a Sig P226 with two barrels and 17 magazines online for $700. I sold the gun, two barrels, and 5 10 round mags for $600 at the Red Bluff gun show. I sold the 12 HC mags online for just over $300. I made $200. All I had to do was one handgun DROS, list two items on gunbroker, box up 6 mags twice, and ship them. It's not my first rodeo so it all goes quick. I am happy with that deal. The gun and 5 mags came in, the evil mags went out, and I made a buck. I really hope I can keep my business when I move. I like it.

[Santa Cruz Armory]

I would also caution any potential "home" FFL's as I am one: once you build a customer base (through good prices and excellent customer service) expect to spend much more time than you possibly imagined doing this. Between tons of paperwork, ordering guns/supplies, answering customer phone calls and emails and meeting with customers+keeping a day job, you will have little to no time left. Financially, unless you want to do this as a tax shelter, you will find the business doesn't truly pay for itself, let alone turn a profit, until you have customers coming in regularly. If you can do it, great, just be ready for this to be a bigger commitment than you might think.

You hit the nail squarely on the head my friend!!

[IrishPirate]

Why do you need to get the COE and then FFL....why isn't the COE just rolled into the FFL process???


oh wait, sorry...forgot that would leave the Bureaucrats with nothing to do. Nevermind, carry on!!

[bebe67]

I thank GOD that my wife makes good money and I am a stay at home dad. I have a card processing with Intuit because I sell lots of stuff on Ebay, Craigslist but never asked them about firearms. I will leave it alone and if they catch it and don't like oh well I will go through NRA. I went ahead and applied for the FFL 7 because I want to build AR's and have set up for all my weapons stored off site and my home is basically an office.

[echoarms]

I had my interview and received my license a week later. I was surprised as I was under the impression my inspector had to contact my landlord still. I'm still waiting on my COE renewal. Would they send the license if there were open issues?

[GunSafari]

our COE's came back pretty quick less then 60 days and our ATF meeting was about 35 days after we mailed out the 01 application. then again probably not many applicants in LA city

the city's zoning/planning department mostly due to tony cardena's city council office (who is running for congress) have been the biggest laggers for us...

[PWPSK1]

Also finding a merchant (credit card) who allows you to sell guns is another issue. I called around and many said no go if you sell firearms.

Go through NRA Business Alliance---they have a credit card processor that knows you are a firearms retailer and will set you up with an account. They also have a very reasonably priced affiliation with an insurance company to make sure your firearms business is covered for commercial general liability, etc.

I would also caution any potential "home" FFL's as I am one: once you build a customer base (through good prices and excellent customer service) expect to spend much more time than you possibly imagined doing this. Between tons of paperwork, ordering guns/supplies, answering customer phone calls and emails and meeting with customers+keeping a day job, you will have little to no time left. Financially, unless you want to do this as a tax shelter, you will find the business doesn't truly pay for itself, let alone turn a profit, until you have customers coming in regularly. If you can do it, great, just be ready for this to be a bigger commitment than you might think.

[bebe67]

Mailed out my FFL application today and now the 60 days wait begins. I think my COE is going to take the longest out of all this crazy process, Only in California!!!!

[kenko]

Nice to see your progress. This is something I have been thinking bout as well.

[bebe67]

Got my DBA and Sellers permit today, inching closer and closer..

[bebe67]

Thanks so true I guess I could always order the kits, sell it to them and they can give it back for gunsmithing.

[metalstorm999]

Agreed, you would figure the FFL would be the most difficult license to get but not in our state!! Now to decide if I want an FFL 01 or 07. Any info on the pro's and con's on the 07 would be appreciated and I know it cost less but are there additional fee's for being a manufacturer.

Congrats on the first step, I just went through the same issues with my city, and they finally came to an agreement that ATF regulations regarding sales/transfers of firearms superceded their home occupational permit conditions, so I'm gtg now.Anyways I tried for an 07 and my IOI told me no because the city won't allow manufacturing from the residence so he rescended my application for the 07 and resubmitted a new 01 for me when we had our interview. So what I'm getting at is, might not want to ruffle any more feathers over at the city by applying for a 07 (cause ATF will discuss the matter with them before your interview) I'm sticking with an 01 for now until I get a B&M shop then I'll go for an 07. Anyways best of luck to you and the business!

[bebe67]

Agreed, you would figure the FFL would be the most difficult license to get but not in our state!! Now to decide if I want an FFL 01 or 07. Any info on the pro's and con's on the 07 would be appreciated and I know it cost less but are there additional fee's for being a manufacturer.

[halifax]

Just got a call from zoning and my permit for retail sales of firearms was approved for my home base business. AJUA!!!!!!

Biggest hurdle overcome. Best wishes and happy dealing.