Posted: 4/27/2004 3:48:18 AM EDT
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I am apply for a FFL. But I am running into some questions that I can not find answers to. I am hoping someone on this site can help. I have tried searching on google, and still can't find any answers. Here are the questions I have so far. On the "Certification of Compliance with 18 U.S.C. 922" who can certify that I am in fact a US citizen? Can this be any Joe Shmo, or one of the illegal aliens out the back gate? On the fingerprint cards, for the blocks that don't apply to me, (i.e alais, miscellaneous #) what am I susposed to put? Do I leave that blank, put N/A or what? Should I have a miscellaneous #? I think that is it for now. Thanks for any help you can give. |
No, all you need to do is type in your name twice, United States, and sign & date below. Nothing goes in the MNU, FBI, OCA, AKA on the print card. In the Employer box, the agency that prints you is entered & the person who takes the prints signs it. For the inspection, make sure that you have your business license or a signed statment saying it's not required for your business location, resale tax number, EIN number if neccessary. A copy of your state firearms law book and any state required posters & notices. It's handy to have a copier during the inspection. |
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I am sorry but I am just full of questions. Once I get this finished and approved I plan to do a tutorial to help people like me. I am hoping to do business out of my home. My current FFL does this and has no problems. I do not plan to have inventoty. I am only planning on being a middle man, for quick transfers in and out. That being said: What is required for the signed statement that my localation doesn't need a business license? |
Go down to your local City Hall. Ask them for code/zoning approval for a firearms business as well as a occupational permit to be a firearms dealer. If there are no restrictiosn for this, they will provide a letter of compliance. Also inventory is not the main issue that will prevent you from getting code and zoning approval, it will be foot traffic. |
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I just had my inspection at 9 am this morning. Due to deed restrictions I had to have an office...though I rent it for only $150 a month. You will be asked to state business hours You don't have to have an EIN, but you need at least a "DBA Doing Business As" I had my state tax application copy available. He also wanted a copy of my lease agreement. I sent mine in March 12th. He says I'll have it by May 10th. You will also need to have a description/business plan of how you plan to make money at this. (Steyr, don't laugh!) |
| I will be calling up to the court house tomorrow to see if there are any restrictions for my zoning. If there are, I guess my plans will be shot. I don't know why everyone has to have there hands in the cookie jar. As far as foot traffic, I don't think that will be a problem. I have more friends over than I would ever have customers. Thanks for the input. |
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Keep in mind that you don't even have to actually BE a U.S. citizen to get an FFL, you just have to "certify" to U.S. citizenship, and apparently even permanent residents can do that. It confused the hell out of me until I called the BATFE office and asked them. |
The common solution is a simple office/warehouse bay in a business district. You don't actually need a store with a showroom and racks of inventory. Regarding the code/zoning foot traffic, it has NOTHING to do with the fact that you may have parties with 1,000s of people over every saturday vs. couple guys a day 5 days a week as customers. The code and zoning restriction prevents your next door neighbor from opening a McDonalds franchize in his garage and you having to deal with more or less living in a business district vs. a residential neighborhood. As far as hands in a cookie jar, just remember the govt. is the mafia and wants their cut for the privledge of letting YOU work. Which brings me to another point. Don't forget to file for your sales tax certificate. If you don't you will get nailed. You will need to collect sales tax and file quarterly. I know a handful of 'transfer dealers' who failed to do so and they got inspected, found in violation and fined. They then lost their FFL. In any case you will need a copy of a resale certificate before most wholesalers will do business with you anyway. But the BIG NUMERO UNO criteria ATF uses to deny or revoke a license is the little phrase "engaged in business for profit." This means your FFL is how you intend to earn your living. If they think it is a hobby business, a way to buy guns for personal use or just a buddy license for your friends you may as well forget it. If you need any help feel free to email me. I have helped several members get their very own FFL. |
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When I was looking at the FFL process, I got the distinct impression that the ATF was trying to prevent small dealers from establishing themselves. I read somewhere (sorry no reference on hand) that in the 1960's there were lots more FFL holders than there are today because of the tougher requirements (like having to post business hours in the application). Is it just me or is it harder to get an FFL now compared to 40 years ago? |
I think what the ATF has been trying (and succeeding) to elimiate were the people who really weren't dealers at all - who just got the FFL to be abel to collect & buy more easily, but were never in it as a business (but maybe ocasionally helped out friends and family). To elimate all of those, there are all kinds of requirements today to ensure you are running it for a business purpose ... at least that's my understanding. Other more knowledgable please correct me as necessary. |
Get that man a cookie.  In the 80s all you needed to get a FFL was a kitchen table and $40. Here is the sorid past. In 1968 they established the FFL which required all dealers (people who buy and sell guns for profit) to be licensed. Then, because they are pricks, they went to gun shows and tried to entrap people. Basically followed collectors around and would offer them say $25 more for the gun they just bought above what they paid. Guy says "Sure" (thinking he'll just get another and keep the $25) and BANG arrested for reselling guns at a profit without a license. So everyone who bought and sold guns in any quantity got a FFL to protect themselves from entrapment. Then the .gov looks around and says "HOLY CRAP look at all the FFLs." Lo and behold they aren't real dealers but guys who sell guns to their buddies for beer money profits. The .gov decides they can't have that shit, and goes on a witch hunt to get rid of kitchen table dealers. And here we are.
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