Getting Started FFL

[Ashgrove07]

I am just wondering if anyone else here who has a FFL had some issues in the beginning stages obtaining their business license from the city? I left 2 messages to the planner and never got a call back, seems like she hates firearms or something. I should've told her I am selling Cookie Lee jewelry instead, just a bit disappointent right now.

[kemasa]

Yeah, there can be problems. It all depends on the city.

I had to deal with LA County and they were a bunch of liars, but fortunately the person in the Sheriff's license detail gave me his information and that caused them to actually do their job. The city I was in was a bit clueless, but not hostile. The next person who applied was given my phone number to tell him what all he had to do, but I did not get a paycheck for that :-).

[redfield96]

I went and got mine in person. I was polite and respecful. I even pointed out that there were several others FFL's currently licensed in the city. It is easier for people to be distant and unwilling to help over the phone.

[Stoney Creek Arms]

At first I got passed around to a couple of different people at city hall until I found someone that understood what I was planning to do. Make sure the license is marked " FFL-valid for the retail sales of firearms". Once you have the city license everything else will fall into place.

[Ashgrove07]

Great, thanks a lot for the info guys! So how much will everything cost me? Total

[kemasa]

It all depends on where you are getting your FFL. Each city is different. You also need to be on the CA Centralized list, need a COE as well. It can get expensive and customers are cheap.

[Toby's Tactical]

I had the most trouble with my city. ATF and DOJ were pretty easy to work with; quite friendly, really. I recommend you review the city planning documents regarding this type of business. You didn't mention home-based but that's what I am. At first, the city planning clerk told me it wasn't allowed but the home-based business regulations clearly don't ban it, although in some cities it is not allowed. She was adamant that I wasn't allowed to have a firearms business at home and I'm also about 200 feet from a school. I felt like she had a personal thing against firearms. I told her nicely that she had to follow the rules and that her personal opinion didn't mean anything. I asked to see another clerk or manager who told me the same thing but eventually admitted he wasn't sure. So I finally talked to the Planning Manager who reviewed everything and returned his answer to me and the ATF field agent who was doing my paperwork and said that he saw no reason it would be restricted if I followed the home-based business regulations. So sometimes you just have to go to the top and speak with someone who is willing to talk rationally about it. I was ready to hire an attorney to deal with this because I was 100% sure that it was OK. I get what you are saying about telling them you are going to be a home based business selling jewelry because really it's none of their business except that it is their business. That took care of the business permit side of things. I also had to get the firearms permit from my city that said "Valid for the retail sales of firearms". I've heard that can come from any of several divisions of the city, maybe planning or permits or business whatever, but mine was from the police and at no cost but took a month for the chief to sign. In contrast, the city next to mine charges $200+ for this permit and requires fingerprints and takes just as long. In all I spent probably $2000+ and several months getting my licenses and permits but made a viable business for a while until I realized it all takes a ton of time that I'd rather spend with my family. If you are going to make a valid go at this business and open up a full time shop, go for it. If you are trying to save money on firearms and just help friends and family, forget it.