Getting an FFL

T

The Plainsman

New member
It is only with the GREATEST trepidation that I make this post. I have donned my asbestos flame-retardant flak jacket and helmet, gas mask, etc., so here goes.

I am approaching that time in my life when I hang up my spurs, kick back and try to think of things to occupy my mind and time, maybe even make a buck or two, and maybe do something new and different. I have been toying with the idea of getting an FFL in order to buy and sell a little on my own, and also so that I could serve as a "receiver" FFL for some the local good old boys. I live in the country, so there's no problem from a zoning standpoint. I don't intend to carry much, if any, inventory. The annual fee isn't a big deal, but I'm wondering about the rest of the BS that goes with it.

Now I'd like to hear from some of you "old salts" who've been down this road and would care to share your thoughts and experiences.

Whaddaya think? :cool:

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If "the people" in the 1st, 4th, 9th & 10th amendments, means "the people", why do some folks think "the people" in the 2nd amendment means "the state"?
 
Clinton & the BATF are actively culling the FFLs

getting one without a really strong business plan may be tough

dZ
 
A friend of mine in Ca ( :rolleyes: ) just got a letter from the ATF pulling his FFL because he didn't have a storefront (ie. in a retail location only with all the security and extra costs that go with it). He was shocked that they just went and did this, hopefully it opened his eyes up a bit to the things that I've been telling him for a few years now.

Greg
 
Well, folks, I thought I'd get a BUNCH of feed-back (both good and bad) on this item, but I appreciate the ones I did get. Just a note - I went to the BATF web site to see if I could get ALL the necessary info to apply for an FFL or at least see what I would need. Most of the criteria are there, but no form. They have a bunch of forms, but no straight up FFL application. It's interesting that most government web sites are loaded with lots of info on how to apply or otherwise obtain whatever services that agency offers, but the BATF site spends most it's time telling you what NOT to do and what will happen to you if you do - even by accident. Kind of reminds you of what a bunch of tax collectors would do if they wanted to be cops instead. ;)

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If "the people" in the 1st, 4th, 9th & 10th amendments, means "the people", why do some folks think "the people" in the 2nd amendment means "the state"?
 
Changes in the Federal Firearms
Licensing System
In 1993,the Administration and Congress
focused on efforts to keep firearms out of the
hands of criminals and regulate the illegal
flow of guns.Noting that it was often easier
to acquire a gun dealer license than a driver ’s
license,the President directed a review of gun
dealer licensing in August 1993,aimed at
ensuring that only those engaged in a legiti-
mate firearms business are licensed.At that
time,ATF estimated that 46 percent of li-
censed dealers conducted no business at all,
but used their licenses to buy and sell fire-
arms across State lines at wholesale prices,
often in violation of State and local zoning or
tax laws.
In modifying the Federal firearms licensing
system in 1993 and 1994,Congress added
more safeguards to ensure that only legiti-
mate gun dealers obtained Federal licenses.
The 1993 Brady Act increased the dealer
licensing fee from $10 per year to $200 for
the first three years and $90 for each addi-
tional three-year period.The Brady Act also
requires license applicants to certify that they
informed their Chief Law Enforcement Of-
ficer (CLEO)of the locality in which their
premises will be located of their intent to
apply for a license.Subsequently,under the
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Act of 1994 (Crime Act),licensees were re-
quired to submit photographs and finger-
prints as part of their application,and to
certify that their firearms business complied
with all State and local laws,including zon-
ing regulations.
Following these changes,the NLC reviewed
the eligibility of the entire licensee popula-
tion over a three-year period.As licensees
applied for renewal of licenses,they were
required to submit complete new application
packages with photographs,fingerprints and
information about the proposed business.
The majority of these renewal applications,as
well as new applications,were sent to field
offices where inspectors contacted the appli-
cants.Beginning in 1993,ATF field offices
established partnerships with State and local
licensing and zoning authorities to disqualify
the licensees who were operating in violation
of State or local law and to ensure that appli-
cants had notified local CLEOs of their intent
to enter the gun business.
http://www.atf.treas.gov/breakingnews/020400report.pdf
 
dZ - I appreciate the additional info. I had seen most of that at the BATF web site. I still think it's interesting that in all my years of dealing with the U.S. Small Business Administration and USDA FmHA, nobody at either agency ever expressed the slightest interest in my compliance with state and local laws or ordinances, even though I was.

Somehow, I don't think it's any of the BATF's business as to what or how I conduct my business locally as long as I comply with their requirements to insure that I'm not a BG and that I don't sell to BG's. Maybe I specialize in BIG ticket items that I only need to sell one every year or two. Why should it concern them as to whether I don't sell ANY guns in a given year as long I meet their qualifications for non-BG's? Maybe I'm a poor businessman. That should be MY tough luck and none of their business, as long as I keep the required records. Since when do federal bureaucrats decide which businesses should survive and which they should close down because they think it's not doing enough business? :mad:
 
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