Quoted:
Highlight the correct part - the first one is for FFL03's, not Joe Gunguy. Joe could, in theory, say it's a hobby, and hobbies ARE allowed to be profitable, but by the time he gets to court to prove it his life already effed.
A unlicensed dealer is whatever the AUSA can convince a federal grand jury to true bill the charges to indict you and jury to convict you of the charges. In the unlikely event you're acquitted at trial and beat the charges I guarantee you you won't beat the ride. Everything you do in life has certain cost/benefit risk associated with it. There is no way in hell I'm going to buy/sell/repair/modify firearms as an unlicensed person to make a few bucks and then expect a jury to believe it's my "hobby" at trial.
This guy sold on average only two guns per month over a 15 year period. Sucks to be him.
http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2009/09/092409-tam-unlicensed-dealer-pleads-guilty.html
Unlicensed Firearms Dealer Pleads Guilty
Selling Firearms To Convicted Felons And Out Of
State Residents
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Acting United States Attorney Thomas F.
Kirwin, Northern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge
Virginia O'Brien, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (
),
Tampa Field Division, announced today that Henry Richard HALE, 62, of
Pensacola, Florida, entered a plea of guilty to the eleven count
indictment returned by a federal grand jury. In a hearing before United
States Magistrate Judge Miles Davis, HALE admitted that he was not a
licensed dealer of firearms, but willfully engaged in the business of
dealing in firearms, to include sales to out-of-state residents and
convicted felons.
The
Pensacola Field Office investigated HALE as
one of several subjects illegally trafficking firearms. During the
investigation HALE sold 14 firearms at the T&W Flea Market and 1 at
his place of residence. A federal search warrant was executed at his
residence, resulting in the seizure of 19 additional firearms. As a
result of the investigation HALE admitted to selling over 400 firearms
during a fifteen year period.
HALE, who is not federally licensed as a firearms dealer, sold the
firearms to convicted felons and out-of-state residents and did not
document the transactions as required by federal law. The T&W Flea
Market does not authorize or allow the sale of firearms or ammunition at
its business location.
Special Agent in Charge Virginia O’Brien stated,
“Through his actions HALE has placed the entire community in jeopardy by
selling firearms to convicted felons. This case exemplifies why illegal
firearms trafficking must be stopped.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney
Tiffany H. Eggers.
Anyone having information on illegal gun activity should call
1-800-ATF-GUNS.
ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for
investigating federal firearms violations. More information about
and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.