FFL in NYS

[Kramerica]

Looking to get my FFL (dealer). I’m in upstate NY. I’ve read a few articles that said there are inspections and you have to have a business license first? Lawyers recommend.Then apply with the ATF. All that seems excessive but what do I know. If someone knows the process can you clear all that up for me. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I’m 27 with a clean record, not even a speeding ticket so that shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[avidflyer]

Yes 100 percent, you will need a business license,or gunsmith etc. Some tyoe of justification for the FFL. Lawyer is not needed most of the time. I have found the local ATF guys very easy to deal with. Check city and local laws, may need city approval. Remember the purpose of this is to support a business NOT personal use, so yes you’ll need jump through some hoops. In the past I’ve heard them frown on running it out of your house...with that said I have two buddies that have a small home business tied into there residence with no issues for a 01

 

[Kramerica]

Yes 100 percent, you will need a business license,or gunsmith etc. Some tyoe of justification for the FFL. Lawyer is not needed most of the time. I have found the local ATF guys very easy to deal with. Check city and local laws, may need city approval. Remember the purpose of this is to support a business NOT personal use, so yes you’ll need jump through some hoops. In the past I’ve heard them frown on running it out of your house...with that said I have two buddies that have a small home business tied into there residence with no issues for a 01

So once all that is done and I fill out the ATF paperwork, what should I expect? They check out the place of business and ask some questions?

 

[avidflyer]

they’ll do a onsite inspection also to check for security and that it at least appears to be a real business or have that intent. Just give the local office a call and let them know what you want to do. I’d go with a 07. Of course like all government agencies each one is a little different on what they want or stress over. (meaning each district/ city location)

 

[dolek]

So once all that is done and I fill out the ATF paperwork, what should I expect? They check out the place of business and ask some questions?

Correct, they will come to you for a visual inspection and questions . You will have to jump through a lot of hoops before you get far enough for them to take a drive . They will lead you by the hand, simple process but takes time .

 

[thejamesd]

I've never heard of a "business license". You may need to file a "DBA" doing buisness as, with the county you will be doing buisness in.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I've never heard of a "business license". You may need to file a "DBA" doing buisness as, with the county you will be doing buisness in.

Heres a place that will do everything you need to be compliant with the business licenses you may need in your locale.
https://www.mycorporation.com/busin...mExumMxU1q_s3W_nUnDU58YhaRdL-V0xoCPE8QAvD_BwE

 

[JMayo]

"Company name" LLC
Home address.
does it here.

 

[shortgrass]

You'll need a Fed tax I.D. number to set-up a LLC or Corp. That's done at your states' Dept of State office. You can operate as a "Sole Proprietor", if you'd care to. Just be aware if you become a LLC or corp later you'll need to re-apply for a FFL because of the change. You'll need a permit to collect state sales taxes, or a "manufactures" permit if your business qualifies for that and your state has that. You will be asked about insurance. If you are applying for a "Dealers License" for gunsmithing you will be asked, "what qualifications do you possess that make you a gunsmith." You should check with NY State to see if they have and require a firearms license, some commie states do. If you will be working out of your home, consult your home owners insurance to see if they will continue to insure you. And, as I think has already been mentioned, the zoning laws for where your bus will be located. These are just a few of the 'hoops' that need to be jumped thru. Also, be aware that if you want to buy/sell/trade guns, there are many on-line retailers that sell for less than a small shop can buy from a wholesaler. Here, transfers bring a whole $20-$25, and that's not hardly worth it for me.

 

[Diggs223]

believe you also need a nys license for pistols

 

[Hino895]

I have a class 7 myself and what shortgrass said is good advice.
20.00 is NOT enough for the transfer paperwork especially if you’re still doing paperwork instead of computer.
Have a business plan going in cause they’re gonna want to know what you’re gonna do with your license.
When you fill out the application get some online help or a mentor as your gonna make mistakes.
You can’t tear up the application after you submit it.
They bring it with them when they come for your interview.
I thought I did a pretty good application but after we were done with it at the interview it looked like someone scribbled all over it with the lines through the answer and initials at the end.
And pay attention to ITAR......

 

[dolek]

Here is a start for NYS...Omit lease agreement if you own the property . Pistols is same but you go through the NYS Troopers .

FFL app, zoning, planning approval, lease agreement, business license, articles of incorporation and finger prints .

Edit : If you are trying for a FFL just for personal use you have to prove zoning allows it or you have a variance .

 

[Outrider27]

Small addition to what shortgrass, Hino895 and dolek said above; have a room in your home dedicated (or at least has the appearance of being dedicated) totally to the business.

 

[shortgrass]

Jalen never has said what his plan is. To do gunsmithing or to have a retail establishment. Not so long ago, many of the small gun shops closed. Lack of sales. There may be more before long, lack of product, little or no ammo, no reloading components, no desirable firearms to sell. I know of at least 4 wholesale businesses that closed in the last 3 yrs, because of lagging sales. And then there's the politics of the gun business. If things change in Washington,,,,,,,,,,

 

[rkittine]

I gave up my FFL here in New York State due to the new changes. If you do not already have an FFL then you don't get grandfathered into anything. You have to have a place of business with listed business hours for a new FFL and that means you have to operate out of a placed with access to the public, parking and not direct access to your home. Watch to see if you are trying to do this at home unless you are in a dual zoned area, Residental / Commercial.

You need a state license for handgun sales, you have to show you can lock up all your inventory in safes or in a secure building with no windows that can be broken into etc. After 36 years of being an FFL holder the spot checks etc. got too much.

You do need to register for Sale Tax collection and will have to file sales tax once a quarter even if you did not collect any. If you want a business bank account, most banks will require you to have a valid Business License to operate a business.

Bob

 

[dolek]

I gave up my FFL here in New York State due to the new changes. If you do not already have an FFL then you don't get grandfathered into anything. You have to have a place of business with listed business hours for a new FFL and that means you have to operate out of a placed with access to the public, parking and not direct access to your home. Watch to see if you are trying to do this at home unless you are in a dual zoned area, Residental / Commercial.

You need a state license for handgun sales, you have to show you can lock up all your inventory in safes or in a secure building with no windows that can be broken into etc. After 36 years of being an FFL holder the spot checks etc. got too much.

You do need to register for Sale Tax collection and will have to file sales tax once a quarter even if you did not collect any. If you want a business bank account, most banks will require you to have a valid Business License to operate a business.

Bob

You nailed it,those were the "hoops" I was talking about . A person seeking a FFL here in NYS is facing an uphill battle .

 

[rkittine]

For the old "Out of your home - Old Timer" yes, it is an uphill battle, but if you are actually intending to run a full fledged business, than it is just the cost of doing business.

Bob

 

[dolek]

For the old "Out of your home - Old Timer" yes, it is an uphill battle, but if you are actually intending to run a full fledged business, than it is just the cost of doing business.

Bob

Maybe when you got yours 36 years ago it was just the cost of doing business . I am talking real world experience at the present moment . My Son got his FFL 9 months ago as a business owner . Getting an FFL today in NYS with the gun environment as it is does not make is not "just the cost of doing business" . You yourself just stated you surrendered your FFL but it "got to be too much" .

 

[rkittine]

I owned an actual "Brick and Mortar" gun shop for 16 years of the 36 years I held an FFL. During that time I had another full time profession and income, so the profit from the shop, was not that important to me. It was more of a hobby and I staffed the store with off duty police officers moonlighting on the side. Real world if you want to run a firearms business beyond a hobby or just to save money for your own purchases than this is the cost of doing this kind business today. I surrendered my FFL as the hassle wasn't worth it for what I was doing with the advantages of having it. I had both a Manufacturer's License and a Class III license also, talk about hassle. The alternative is a move to a different state or pick a different career. Unfortunately in New York State, that is the reality and even in other states, the ATF is much different than they were 36 years ago.

Bob

 

[outasite`08]

I owned an actual "Brick and Mortar" gun shop for 16 years of the 36 years I held an FFL. During that time I had another full time profession and income, so the profit from the shop, was not that important to me. It was more of a hobby and I staffed the store with off duty police officers moonlighting on the side. Real world if you want to run a firearms business beyond a hobby or just to save money for your own purchases than this is the cost of doing this kind business today. I surrendered my FFL as the hassle wasn't worth it for what I was doing with the advantages of having it. I had both a Manufacturer's License and a Class III license also, talk about hassle. The alternative is a move to a different state or pick a different career. Unfortunately in New York State, that is the reality and even in other states, the ATF is much different than they were 36 years ago.

Bob

I had an FFL for 10 years. I ran an actual business. I built the building. I never had a BATF agent in the shop. They called me and I told told them what they wanted to know. I worked with them. I think that helped. But, I was in PA not NYS. That is a different animal. I wouldn`t want to jump the hoops now, I can`t jump like I used too. Jeff