Home based FFL.

[JoeInTucson]

For those of you that have one, how did the application process go? Thinking about one of my own. Internet sales, gun show, the occasional appointment.

 

[Big_Daddy]

For those of you that have one, how did the application process go? Thinking about one of my own. Internet sales, gun show, the occasional appointment.

Fairly easy process.
Make sure there are no restrictions where you live, submit application and then wait for your home interview.
Secure storage is a big deal for the ATF interviewers.


I have been a "home dealer" for 30+ years.

 

[charlie b]

Be careful of some state laws. Not sure if still true but NM had a law/policy that an FFL was required to conduct weapon transfers by anyone, such as gun broker sales or private sales between parties. We can only transfer guns to immediate family without a federal transfer. Walmarts stopped gun sales here for that reason.

 

[ebb]

Clinton instructed the ATF to close all home FFLs. They mostly did as instructed, counties and cities didn't want to lose or fight for federal funds and complied willingly. My FFL provided ammo, firearms, and web gear for the local PD and the town manager told the ATF no way. I still use him for transfers to this day. All this to say check local laws before spending money and time. One guy here in my little town used his brothers business address but had to drag all his customers to the brothers place to make transactions. Big Daddy is 100% right in his instructions.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Clinton instructed the ATF to close all home FFLs. They mostly did as instructed, counties and cities didn't want to lose or fight for federal funds and complied willingly. My FFL provided ammo, firearms, and web gear for the local PD and the town manager told the ATF no way. I still use him for transfers to this day. All this to say check local laws before spending money and time. One guy here in my little town used his brothers business address but had to drag all his customers to the brothers place to make transactions. Big Daddy is 100% right in his instructions.

In Oklahoma they have a LAW that says the local municipalities are not allowed to restrict home ffls for any reason. This little tidbit was given to me by the ATF agent for my region.

This is the only reason we are still in Oklahoma. Most pro gun state in the union. At least for the time being.

 

[J_Hensley]

I'm becoming increasingly more curious about this for myself.

 

[ratguner]

It all depends on your State, City and municipality.
Although I am a FFL, I would not recommend a home based business in WA State.

 

[PhilC]

It all depends on your State, City and municipality.
Although I am a FFL, I would not recommend a home based business in WA State.

Primary reason I let mine lapse in the early 90s, even then the bureauracracy wasn't worth the hassle for me. Far as I know all the at-home FFLs in the Spokane area have all closed shop. Pretty sure the one I did business with was the last one around and they shut down about 18mos ago.

 

[DonB]

One thing you might want to verify is if ATF can search your home since that is your FFL location.

 

[jelenko]

Primary reason I let mine lapse in the early 90s, even then the bureauracracy wasn't worth the hassle for me. Far as I know all the at-home FFLs in the Spokane area have all closed shop. Pretty sure the one I did business with was the last one around and they shut down about 18mos ago.

FFLS.com says there are 4 FFL's in Spokane.

 

[PhilC]

FFLS.com says there are 4 FFL's in Spokane.

My comment was specifically in regard to home based FFLs and the 4 shown are commercial locations.

 

[snowsnake]

I had one for close to 40 years. At first, it was relatively easy but as time went on it got harder to keep up with. Everything going electronic forms, tax collection, providing safe storage, record keeping and so on. What finally made me decide to give it up was people ordering from vendors and having them shipped to my location and NOT notifying me of doing so, that and the sue happy world we live in today.
If you do decide to proceed, contact a lawyer for advice on how to protect your assets in case you get sued.

 

[LarryM]

I've had one for a little over 6 years. My biggest hurdle was the City allowing to operate a business in my residential area. Of course, if you have an HOA that could be the show stopper. I don't have much of an HOA where I live.

The ATF was the easy part!

 

[ebb]

The local laws don't completely eliminate FFLs just home based. A brick and mortar store is not affected, it was a way to eliminate half of the FFLs in our state without the congress voting on anything.

 

[chop house]

I had one for close to 40 years. At first, it was relatively easy but as time went on it got harder to keep up with. Everything going electronic forms, tax collection, providing safe storage, record keeping and so on. What finally made me decide to give it up was people ordering from vendors and having them shipped to my location and NOT notifying me of doing so, that and the sue happy world we live in today.
If you do decide to proceed, contact a lawyer for advice on how to protect your assets in case you get sued.

Exactly this

 

[chop house]

I've had one for a little over 6 years. My biggest hurdle was the City allowing to operate a business in my residential area. Of course, if you have an HOA that could be the show stopper. I don't have much of an HOA where I live.

The ATF was the easy part!

And this