I own a large hardware and building materials store.  We are considering expanding into a firearms/ammo/sporting goods niche.  We have been a hardware store for 65 years and our town has a good market for a gun shop as there isn't a decent one around.  This isn't trying to create a gun shop from nothing and going to hire a felon after the fact, we would be putting this section in some space that isn't being used for much.  Is it possible to get an FFL with a felon employed?  These people would have nothing to do with any part of handling firearms.  However, I can certainly understand if that doesn't matter to the ATF.

Please note, I am not looking for any judgments on either issue of selling guns or employing felons, just simply asking the above question.

Will the felon be in the same building where the firearms are stored/sold?

Huh, how many felons work at Walmart, they sell guns.   Just thinking out loud.  I certainly wouldn't be putting the felon behind the counter or with a set of keys to the firearms.  Perhaps keeping all the firearms in a locked glass case might help?

They would be in the same building as the guns but the plan was already to limit access to authorized individuals.

Thank you for putting this into perspective.  I appreciate your time.

Simple answer is yes, as long a they are not listed as a responsible party on the application.