I am applying for my FFL and have a question about what kind of license I should apply for. I want to assemble custom AR-15's and 1911's, but am not sure what type of FFL I should apply for. Should I apply for the dealer license or the manufacture license? I'd need to purchase receivers for the builds, but am unclear as to what class I need to apply for.

I have my retail sales tax license and city business license already. I am approved for a home business and am bonded and insured. Any help would be appreciated.

Quoted: I am applying for my FFL and have a question about what kind of license I should apply for. I want to assemble custom AR-15's and 1911's, but am not sure what type of FFL I should apply for. Should I apply for the dealer license or the manufacture license? I'd need to purchase receivers for the builds, but am unclear as to what class I need to apply for. I have my retail sales tax license and city business license already. I am approved for a home business and am bonded and insured. Any help would be appreciated.

How are you code and zoned?

Retail sales or manufacturing?

It is zoned residential, but city zoning doesn't have any issues with giving me a variance if needed.

If you are going to add value to any of your products, then you need the Manufacturing license. If you are going to buy AR lower receceivers then assemble them into complete guns, you need a Manufacturing license. Likewise, if you are going to buy 1911 frames & slides & assemble them into custom guns, you need a manufacturing license.

You will have to remit excise tax for the guns manufactured. If you build less than 50 annually, then get a free ride on the excise tax. Over 50, you owe the tax. Either way, you still have to file a mfg. report.  As a manufacturer, you will have to register with the State Department and pay the annual ITAR fee $1750.

You will need a letter from the city or your HOA stating that there is nothing prohibiting you from operating as a firearms manufactuer in your location. Even if they don't issue occupational licenses. (ETA, your home business license should suffice but BATF will call the city to verify that it means ANY business, if you can head that off in advance, do so so).

You will also need "posted hours", this is the time BATF can legally come unnanounced and perform a compliance check.

Quoted: It is zoned residential, but city zoning doesn't have any issues with giving me a variance if needed.

No, on your code and zoning "certificate of use." The sales tax license and city business license won't mean jack unless you have a certificate of use.

And on that certificate of use it will define the accepted use such as "retail gun sales, gunsmithing, manufacturing, etc."

If you want to be a manufcaturer you need to be zoned for it.

Quoted: Quoted: It is zoned residential, but city zoning doesn't have any issues with giving me a variance if needed. No, on your code and zoning "certificate of use." The sales tax license and city business license won't mean jack unless you have a certificate of use. And on that certificate of use it will define the accepted use such as "retail gun sales, gunsmithing, manufacturing, etc." If you want to be a manufcaturer you need to be zoned for it.

Kinda funny side note, in the past years, my "Occupational License" for a gun dealer said just that. "Occupational License" "Gun Dealer"

This year it says "City Business Tax" "Gun Dealer". Called them about it and apparently the State of FL required them to change it and call it what it for what really is

I received my FFL Dealer packet today from ATF and have a couple of questions.

The packet include the ATF Form 7 application, four fingerprint cards, a form called " Supplemental Information on Water Quality Considerations" and one called"Environmental Information".

How many finger print cards do I submit and do I have to fill the other two forms out and why? Any help would be appreciated.

Quoted: I received my FFL Dealer packet today from ATF and have a couple of questions. The packet include the ATF Form 7 application, four fingerprint cards, a form called " Supplemental Information on Water Quality Considerations" and one called"Environmental Information". How many finger print cards do I submit and do I have to fill the other two forms out and why? Any help would be appreciated.

One fingerprint card for each person on the FFL. I think you can have as many as 3.

I "think" the other two forms are only for manufacturers, call the licensing center and ask them if you need to fill them out.

Thank you so much for your help.

Quoted: You will also need "posted hours", this is the time BATF can legally come unnanounced and perform a compliance check.

What do you do for hours if you aren't at the business? This is theoretical.

Say I work for a regular employrer and there from 8-5 M-F

But on the side sell a gun or two a week and have that at a commercial building I own and rent out (with a seperate area with office I use).

I obviously never need to go to the office unless I'm receiving something. Therefore have no set hours of operation. I'm not selling to the person walking in, but online sales.

How is that handled?

Quoted: Quoted: You will also need "posted hours", this is the time BATF can legally come unnanounced and perform a compliance check. What do you do for hours if you aren't at the business? This is theoretical. Say I work for a regular employrer and there from 8-5 M-F But on the side sell a gun or two a week and have that at a commercial building I own and rent out (with a seperate area with office I use). I obviously never need to go to the office unless I'm receiving something. Therefore have no set hours of operation. I'm not selling to the person walking in, but online sales. How is that handled?

Easy, ATF DQs your application because they deem you to be a "hobby FFL."

I tried calling the ATF National Licensing Center in Atlanta today, but got put on hold for more than an hour. I ended up emailing them and hope to get clarification on my application questions. I'll post their reply and let everyone know what they said.

Here is the reply I got from ATF about my FFL application. A little slow, but informative.

Since you are applying for a type 01 license, you do not need to fill out the environmental and the supplemental form.  There is a place on the application to for the secure gun storage and the certification of compliance.  You only need to send in one fingerprint card along with a passport photo.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact the National Licensing Center at 866-662-2750 or via email.