Convoluted FFL/Suppressor question.

[Pistool Jan]

I have often thought of trying to build a better mousetrap....well, suppressor. A friend has a machine shop with all the cool toys including a CNC machine.
Would it be in any way possible to design/manufacture these in CA for sale to suppressor legal states only, international market if any, or LE/Military?

If so, I am sure it would require an FFL, perhaps even for the owner of the facility where I design and build the initial prototypes. Plus, weapons with threaded barrels would be required for testing etc or some sort of adaptors made initially.

So, if the making of said items is allowable with an FFL, is the FFL able to be obtained by virtue of an idea to design something? Or does one have to acquire one in another, more traditional way? Would I need to be a qualified gunsmith?

Sorry if my question is spacey. It's just an idea at this point so any thoughts would be highly welcomed.

Thanks.

[ke6guj]

yes, the owner would need to get a manufacturing FFL and then pay the SOT fees to be able to make NFA items (the suppressors).

If you got the FFL and SOT, you would be able to do this in CA for sales to CA .gov agencies, other CA SOTs, and for out of state sales.

[Pistool Jan]

Thanks for the reply Jack, and I am sorry I am so tardy getting back. Things got crazy and I forgot to revisit my question.

I'm a bit confused, in no small part because I am completely ignorant of all the in's and out's.......I even had to look up SOT and NFA.

I reckon much research is needed on my part before I think more into it.....but what I did not understand is whether both my friend with the shop and I have to have the FFL? What I am picking up is that there are different kinds of FFL's? You mentioned a manufacturing FFL. Does a gunsmith have a different FFL to a dealer or a collector?

Anyway, if you or anyone else feels so inclined as to continue on please do. Otherwise, I will try do a bit more basic research on my own. I was going to pitch the idea to my buddy about the possibility of trying to come up with some designs and I figured just to make prototypes we will need all the right documentation and permits etc. It's so complicated.......it should be so much easier. Regulations!!!