Okay any help is GREATLY appreciated...

[F8ality]

I started working towards a firearms business in December. So far I have obtained:

1: home occupation permit
2: ein
3: business license
4: sellers permit

OK here is where I get confused. I know that I need to get my COE, FFL, and CFLD but which comes first and is there anything else I need to do to be legal and legit? Also, starting out I will be a home based operation, problem is I work very random hours at my full time job and I'm not sure what to write down for my hours of operation on the forms especially if initially I will be doing sales and transfers by appointment only.

Thanks for any help and advice guys

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[Dingoguns]

When I got mine, IIRC it;ll be easiest to apply for your COE, then send off for your FFL (as it will most likely take a while). You'll get your CFL number when you join the DOJ's Centralized list of firearms dealers. I'm sure others will chime in, but that's my recollection of my own adventures jumping through hoops.

I have the same issue with my business hours. Just put "by appointment only". If you do decide to have regular hours at a later date, you can always get it changed.

Just make sure that if you need a local business license, it says that it is "valid for the retail sale of firearms" and not a darn thing else. I saw another post where someone was having issues, as the city had added some sort of language to the permit that DOJ apparently took issue with. He's apparently still dealing with the red tape.

Above all, don't get discouraged! It took me over 8 months to get my FFL (sadly, I found Calguns shortly afterward; it would have helped a lot), stumbling blindly through the hallways of our vast bureacracy. All I can say is, it's worth it in the end.

[t0kie]

Congrats for getting the business license & home permit taken care of, because that's usually the hardest part since many cities are strict about it. By the way, I assume you also did the Fictitious Business Name @ the County Clerk, yes?

Next def. is COE & it'll take a while.

Once you got your COE, then you need to send your FFL application. This also takes a while & they will call you for the visit.

The CFD is the last one, because CA DOJ will need all the info/ copies for the prev. steps.

Good luck!

[F8ality]

Thanks guys! Okay so I'm going to be applying for my 07FFL. Filling out the paperwork for the COE and it is asking for the kind of business, near the bottom of the page. I know I mark firearm sales but do I also need to mark manufacturer, retail/wholesales.... etc.

I know its a stupid question but after all the stories I've been reading about how picky they can be on paperwork, just want to make sure I fill it out correctly the first time.

Again thank-you guys for your help and input

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[F8ality]

Eh no one?

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[t0kie]

Just mark what fits the best for your business & don't worry too much about it.

The main purpose of COE is to make sure you are "clean" (that's also why you have to take Live Scan).

[F8ality]

Ah okay well no worries there, got a whole list of backgrounds going on for other things right now and so far so good lol

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[Rigmarole]

Some of the best advice I got while going through my FFL process was to read up as much as possible on the ATF website. Lots of good info on there especially in the FAQ's and past FFL Newsletters.

[CSACANNONEER]

Don't forget a pawnbroker's license in case you ever want to buy/sell a used gun through the bussiness.

[F8ality]

Oh yeah ok so I have marked: Firearms Dealer, wholesaler/distributer, pawnbroker, gunsmithing, manufacturer.

where it says indicate type: I have put down Type 07 FFL

wish me luck!

Has anyone been denied an FFL and what were the reasons? Specifically an 07?

[metalstorm999]

Oh yeah ok so I have marked: Firearms Dealer, wholesaler/distributer, pawnbroker, gunsmithing, manufacturer.

where it says indicate type: I have put down Type 07 FFL

wish me luck!

Has anyone been denied an FFL and what were the reasons? Specifically an 07?

I was denied an 07 because of zoning. My original application was for an 07, so when I had my initial interview, my IOI said that he had spoke to the city, and since I am home-based they would not allow manufacturing from my residence. So he made me fill out a new application for an 01, submited it for me, and I received my license 2 weeks later. Anyways, good luck!!

[F8ality]

Hmm that sucks and would suck. I do know there are a lot of home based business where I live...A LOT, and there is one local home based gunstore that has lathes and tooling for building. My neighbor manufactures professional custom snowboards at his house and he is a full on licensed business, so Im hoping that the manufacturing thing isnt an issue.
Got my fingers crossed now.