I have submitted my FFL application for an at home FFL and checked was checked last week. What’s next and what should I be preparing for? I have already been in discussion with my Town on zoning and they instructed as long as I won’t be running a retail type business where cars are lined up that they would issue a license. What should I be doing in preparation?

Thanks.

Yeah - They said no license without some indication of approval. I live in a small town and license dept told me if that was the case to have the atf agent call them.

License dept mentioned some letter that would be given before FFL.

Get your Business license from the city and county now. I had mine before I even sent in my application and still caused a hold up after interview.

Any tips on what to tell the town to give me a license before? I have already told them no license no ffl

If the town does not and will not issue licenses for your type of business, ask for an official letter stating that, on town letterhead.

I ran a Type 07/SOT specialty gunsmithing business out of my home, and my city doesn't even issue business licenses for gun related business, just regular city and state/county registrations for a sales tax license. When I applied for my FFL, ATF pushed back at me for about six months before I supplied a letter from the zoning office that my proposed business was lawful and the city does not issue business licenses for this type of activity; and ATF still interviewed and talked to an official in the zoning office in person before finally relenting and issuing my FFL.

Just apply for business license with you city. For me it was printing out the form and dropping off a check at the permitting office. The city inspector called and asked a few questions than had me email him a picture of my dining room table with a laptop on it to show workspace. Was worried about this because I have an 07 and didn't want them thinking I was going to be running CNCs in a house.  Every city will be different so hard for any more details. I would definitely get sorted out first because the ATF will not issue if you can't meet local code.

What you will tell them depends on your business model and you may have to adjust that based on what they allow. Some cities allow home based for online and gun shows only, no walk in or face to face transfers. Others have zero restrictions. Be vague but honest on the tax receipt application and put reason as All Lawful activities as a licensed gun dealer. If they deny that adjust to online and show sales only.

Update - I have received my Business license from my state and county but my town continues to stand the ground of "they will not issue a business license without the ATF's approval for my FFL".

Any advise on what to do to push the town to issue a business license?

Thanks.

You don't need the business license prior to your FFL interview. Your IOI will know whether its rerquired.
Once ATF approves your application, you have a time period to get your business licensee, sales tax permit, etc.

From Question 20 on the Form 7:
b. Within 30 days after the application is approved, the business/activity will comply with the requirements of State and local law
applicable to the conduct of the business/activity.
c. Business/activity will not be conducted under the license until the requirements of State and local law applicable to the business/activity
have been met

Awesome - Thanks. IOI interview is scheduled for Friday

It sounds like you're going to run into problems with that business license.  If your town is telling you they'll issue a license as long as you're NOT operating a retail-type business where cars are parked around your house then that sounds like a HUGE problem to me and probably to the ATF also.  Because that's EXACTLY what the ATF is expecting you to be, a RETAIL business where cars are parked because you're ACTIVELY in the business of selling firearms!  The ATF under the Biden administration is not going to be granting new FFLs to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who wants to get an FFL to sell a few guns to their friends and family and a few for themselves.  They're going to expect you to be actively in the business of selling firearms.

There's a whole lot of other stuff I had typed up to try to help, but since I'm a "new" account I'm restricted to 200 words in my posts.  Let us know how it goes.

 
Yet ATF issues FFLs all the time to businesses that never see a single walk up customer.




Nonsense.
While the Federal Firearms License is for those engaging in the business of dealing in firearms, there is no minimum number of sales required by any law or regulation. "ACTIVELY" therefore has no meaning.

ATF merely requires the licensee to operate legally under all local, state and federal laws, including zoning and HOA covenants. NOWHERE in ATF regulations or federal law is there a requirement to have a "RETAIL business where cars are parked" or anything close to that bullshit. One of GunBrokers "Top 100" sellers lives less than a mile from me and NEVER has a single customer come to his home. His HOA prohibits such walk up traffic for home based businesses. He sells and ship dozens of firearms every day WITH NO RETAIL CUSTOMERS.

RSR and Sports South, two of the largest distributors in the country HAVE ZERO RETAIL CUSTOMERS. RSR doesn't even allow local dealers to pick up at their warehouse.






Yes they will. ATF has no choice. An FFL is a "shall issue" and if the applicant meets the requirements he gets his FFL.


.
There are five FFL's within a mile of my house that do ZERO sales and transfers. Yet they still have an FFL.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.  If there's one thing I've learned as an FFL, it's that there is very little consistency between IOIs throughout the country.  What happens and seems ok in your area does not mean that's the case every region of every state across the US.

Hopefully the OP comes back and shares how his first interview went yesterday.

IOI Interview went great - Super chill/cool Investigator. He even provided what my town need to issue business license. I should be receiving my license in the mail in a couple weeks.

Town will not allow for full "retail" business out of home and he didn't seem to have an issue.

 
Then prove me wrong.


IOI's don't make the rules bub.

If you think otherwise then provide some shred of proof or documentation that proves your point.

You would be shocked how many FFLs do not run a retail business. Glock for example. RSR for example. Many do not even sell firearms, they just do gunsmithing.



It is a shall issue license. Meet the reqs, you get your license. Their is no discretion on the part of the issuer.

DT.....

How ironic it is that Both Glock and RSR won't sell to you unless you have a retail location. We run websales only and they won't sell to us