home based 01FFL???

[h0use]

what if your using it for gunsmithing. and dont want type7 ffl. will type1 work for gunsmithing?

[efillc]

Any kitchen table guys want to chime in on their experience with developing a customer base and keeping them in line with your schedule?

Developing a customer base isn't difficult, especially if you're doing cheap transfers. If you put your info into sites like Bud's, GunBroker, etc as a transfer FFL with low rates, you will get found quickly.

OTOH keeping customers in line with your schedule is another matter. We've had people knocking on the door at 7 a.m. and calls as late as 11 p.m.

[efillc]

what if your using it for gunsmithing. and dont want type7 ffl. will type1 work for gunsmithing?

A Type 01 will work for gunsmithing. Just make sure you don't cross the (poorly-defined, ever-moving) line into Type 07 territory.

[echoarms]

Developing a customer base isn't difficult, especially if you're doing cheap transfers. If you put your info into sites like Bud's, GunBroker, etc as a transfer FFL with low rates, you will get found quickly.

OTOH keeping customers in line with your schedule is another matter. We've had people knocking on the door at 7 a.m. and calls as late as 11 p.m.

How do you get listed as a transfer FFL?

[D4ZORT]

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.

[efillc]

How do you get listed as a transfer FFL?

http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/FFLSignUp.aspx

http://www.fflfinder.com/

For Bud's we had to email over our FFL and fill out another form to get signed up.

[IrishPirate]

I don't know if this helps but you are more or less describing the business that Roger Baker runs known as Rogers Relics..... He and his wife work out of their home (garage actually) by appointment and only do transfers. I had to use them once because my go to FFL would not accept receipt of two single action pistols direct from the non licensee seller.

Nice guy, might be worth giving a call or sending an email after you do some more research...

thank you, i will look into that and try to get a hold of them

Developing a customer base isn't difficult, especially if you're doing cheap transfers. If you put your info into sites like Bud's, GunBroker, etc as a transfer FFL with low rates, you will get found quickly.

OTOH keeping customers in line with your schedule is another matter. We've had people knocking on the door at 7 a.m. and calls as late as 11 p.m.

I thought about that, and i think i'd have to add a 2nd/3rd phone line that can be turned on/off when i'm not open for business. Not really sure how to avoid the random customer showing up at my house, but that's something i would DEFINITELY figure out before hand!!

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.

everyone i've talked to has said that credit card companies will give a machine to anyone with a business license since they charge them money to have them. so even if they aren't making sales, they're paying to have the machine. I could probably get around it by going cash/money order only for a while, but a CC machine could end up being a good investment if it turns out that i have more business than expected. we'll just have to see.

[Santa Cruz Armory]

Because you enjoy staying busy and donating your time. I too used to think I was going to get all of this business because I would work for cheap. When I got all of this business for working for cheap, I realized I actually enjoyed my free time more.

You aren't going to make much money in the gun business. Really the only reason I stick with it is because of all of the little benefits of owning a gun shop. Other than that, there are much more profitable businesses to be in with much, much less paperwork.

Truer words were never spoken...

[ke6guj]

everyone i've talked to has said that credit card companies will give a machine to anyone with a business license since they charge them money to have them. so even if they aren't making sales, they're paying to have the machine. I could probably get around it by going cash/money order only for a while, but a CC machine could end up being a good investment if it turns out that i have more business than expected. we'll just have to see.

they tell you that now, but many gun shops have had their merchant accounts terminated because they sell guns.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/01/citifirst-data-anti-gun-policies-stir-controversy-calls-for-boycott/

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-632882.html

[TheExpertish]

I know the city is the first and probably biggest hurdle, but i want to have my ducks in a row, or at least know what order they should be in, so that if Roseville says OK, i can move on without too much waiting.


Could HOA regulations stop the city/DOJ/ATF issuing me the licenses i need??

Read your HOA, but mostly they don't have any say in what you can and cannot do with a business that is permissible in that city.

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.

It can be, but there are plenty out there who do. Also, most don't know what the hell they are talking about.

[Rigmarole]

The ATF will check to make sure you are not violating any legal prohibitions that would prevent you from conducting business at your location. For our home-based FFL, they did look to make sure we didn't have an HOA that would have prohibited a home-based business.

After doing some research, we have found that the safest way to go with credit card processing is through Payment Alliance. They are actually the NRA and NSSF endorsed merchant processor. With anyone else, you may be taking a risk.

Getting listed as a transfer dealer is easy once you have your 01 FFL. We get most of our transfers that aren't referrals or repeat customers from Gunbroker.

Also, five minutes of looking into the Roseville city business license rules tells me that you are already going to have some problems. The ATF requires that you conduct your business at your licensed premises (and allows it at gun shows as well). Roseville will not allow you to operate a home-based business where customers come to the house without a seperate "Administrative Permit" which involves a public hearing. What will your neighbors have to say about you opening a gun business in the neighborhood?

Start here and dig deeper on your own:

http://www.roseville.ca.us/ed/business_assistance/how_to_guides.asp#home

It still may be possible, but it looks like you have some hurdles ahead. Good luck.

[IrishPirate]

The ATF will check to make sure you are not violating any legal prohibitions that would prevent you from conducting business at your location. For our home-based FFL, they did look to make sure we didn't have an HOA that would have prohibited a home-based business.

After doing some research, we have found that the safest way to go with credit card processing is through Payment Alliance. They are actually the NRA and NSSF endorsed merchant processor. With anyone else, you may be taking a risk.

Getting listed as a transfer dealer is easy once you have your 01 FFL. We get most of our transfers that aren't referrals or repeat customers from Gunbroker.

Also, five minutes of looking into the Roseville city business license rules tells me that you are already going to have some problems. The ATF requires that you conduct your business at your licensed premises (and allows it at gun shows as well). Roseville will not allow you to operate a home-based business where customers come to the house without a seperate "Administrative Permit" which involves a public hearing. What will your neighbors have to say about you opening a gun business in the neighborhood?

Start here and dig deeper on your own:

http://www.roseville.ca.us/ed/business_assistance/how_to_guides.asp#home

It still may be possible, but it looks like you have some hurdles ahead. Good luck.

looks like the administrative permit wouldn't be impossible to obtain, but what bothers me is this:

Limitation on Use
Home Occupations shall be permitted in a dwelling, so long as the maximum cumulative impact of all such businesses shall not exceed the limits set forth in this Section for a single Home Occupation. The following uses or activities are prohibited as Home Occupations:


Fire arms and ammunition sales;
Kennel services;
Retail or wholesale sales with transfer of products to the buyer at the residential site. The operation of a Home Occupation shall not necessitate the rendering of services, merchandise sales, or distribution of merchandise to customers or clients on the premises, with the exception of private instruction;
Vehicle or vehicle body, repair or painting; or
Any use or activity that affects the character of the surrounding residential neighborhood by generating more noise, odors, vehicles, storage, or traffic than would be normally expected in a residential zone.

it looks like Roseville wont let you conduct any FFL business from your home, but perhaps the key word there is "sales". Do transfers count as sales?? I would think no since it's not something from your inventory, but if the sale happened in my house, then i guess it would be a grey area...

I definitely don't think that it would work out very well in my current house, but if i move I'll keep all this in mind. Or perhaps i'll try to find a REALLY small store front

[GoingQuiet]

ATF requires inventory in order to get your FFL. You'd need to sell stuff as well. Biggest hurdle is your city.

I don't think this is the case. ATF requires you to run a business, it does not stipulate that you have to have inventory.

I can tell you when I started out, I had nothing.

[Rudolf the Red]

I went to gun shows with a few guns for sale, talked my *** off and gave out hundreds of business cards. All my business is from those cards and referrals. I have a couple customers a month after 3.5 years. I have one customer that has resulted in four new customers just from his mouth. Together, they have bought 11 guns so far. Just from one business card last March. I am moving soon and may have to give up my business. Finding a landlord favorable to an FFL is not easy.

[Rigmarole]

looks like the administrative permit wouldn't be impossible to obtain, but what bothers me is this:


it looks like Roseville wont let you conduct any FFL business from your home, but perhaps the key word there is "sales". Do transfers count as sales?? I would think no since it's not something from your inventory, but if the sale happened in my house, then i guess it would be a grey area...

I definitely don't think that it would work out very well in my current house, but if i move I'll keep all this in mind. Or perhaps i'll try to find a REALLY small store front

It sounds like you are out of luck. I don't think the ATF is going to look at those local rules and still issue you a license.