Calling all Gun Shop owners!

[mrvash]

Hi guys,

I'm planning on opening up a gun shop up here in Northern California, Redding to be exact. I haven't owned a business before so this will be my first. I'm aware of the low profit margin in the actual sale of firearms, but make the money in the sale of accessories. I've done some research and it seems in order to obtain an FFL thru the ATF I would first have to find a storefront in the proper zoning area and get the state and local approval. I will be dealing new and used firearms, accessories and apparel, online store and online transfers. What would the initial start up costs be and what type of loans are available, where do I begin in obtaining the proper permits and licenses in my county (Shasta). If any of you gun shop employees and/or owners have any advice for me, please be so kind to respond in this thread or shoot me an email. Also, what is the profit margin for each firearm that is sold? what is your daily, weekly or monthly profit and how big of a storefront did you all begin with?


Thank you all.

[BigMac]

Thats alot of questions.

I started with about 1000sz ft. I stil have about a 1000sq ft.
It took about 2 months to get my FFL . Another 2 to get the rest of the licenses.

I had about 50- grand when I started. I burned that up FAST.

Good Luck..

[Pancho Villa's Armory]

First of all you do not need store front to get an FFL as I have an 07 out of my home. First thing you should do is get your city license/permit before anything. FFL is easy to get, BOE, COE are all easy to get. I recommend you buying the kit from ffl123.com because without that, permit from city would have been a battle. Lots of great info and letters for different situation's.

[GetBulletsandBrass]

Pancho makes a good point. Ask your city first and then check with county. I'm a home based 07 as well. We had to get a regulatory permit, a business license, 2nd hand pistol permit, a municipal license, BOE, COE, a Fire Department sign off and a PD sign off prior to applying for our FFL. Getting the FFL was probably the easiest part.