FFL worth it?

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Schmidlin

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Archbold Ohio
My dad is seriously thinking about getting one because he is tired of paying a transfer fee when he gets a new gun. Pays 35 from the seller then another 50 when he goes to pick it up. ( they call it a processing fee). If he wanted to buy guns with the FFL how does he go about doing that? Can he request catalogs from manufacturers or can he buy directly from a dealer at cost?


He hasn't gotten one get but is really thinking about it and those are his questions he wanted me to find out. Thanks inadvanced
 
ShackleMeNot said:
You have to be in the business of SELLING guns to have a 01 FFL.
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That's the short answer. You can't get an 01 FFL just for your own use.

In order to get an 01 FFL (which is what he would want) you need to have a business location (and all the State and County laws complied with) and hours you are open for business (so the ATF knows when they can come inspect).

You can get an 03 FFL for collecting, but thats only good for Curio and Relics (50 years old & older or on the official list from ATF). Modern firearms would still need to go through an 01 Dealer FFL.
 
Nothing in your first post mentions him planning to actually sell guns as a business. It looks like he's just trying to avoid paying a transfer fee. He will not be able to get an 01 FFL if that is the case.
 
Well, that changes your question then doesn't it...

What kind of business? Could he add a showcase of guns?

There are record keeping and storage requirements he'd have to follow. Not sure about how much sales activity he'd have to show in a year to satisfy the ATF he's "in the business".
 
He owns a rather large greenhouse, which we do alot of gun stuff at. We have a mini range out back on the property. The only people he would be selling to would be friends and family, but nothing substantial.




I will let him know
 
As he has a business, if the zoning would allow a gun shop, he would have an easier time than most and less expense--but as said he would have to actually sell some guns. Lots of small business owners, especially in rural areas, do guns as a sideline. From what you said it might be worth looking into for your Dad. The atf.gov site allows you to request all the forms and handbooks online to be sent to you free of charge. They actually do a good job of getting stuff out promptly--get the FFL type 1 form 'kit' from them and have a look--costs nothing.
 
1) Tell him to get a the federal small business grant, the gov will give him $100,000 to start this small business
2) If he is already zoned for business he is one step ahead, his existing storefront may need security modification
3) you do not have to have a brick and mortar business to have a business you can run one from your home, via the internet, you do not even have to have an inventory. You must just log every gun in and when it goes out and accompanying paperwork by state.
4) If he acts as a transaction broker with his FFL, he will meet the quals and get paid for his spare time.
5) He merely has to keep his book up to date, and have posted hours for the ATF to approve him.
 
There is nothing in writing. The Inspector that works your area can give you a target number of transaction that they would like to see you do. This includes transfer. My business does ten transfers for every gun sale.

Their main goal is to make sure that you are not getting the FFL just to buy guns for you and your buddies at a discount. Once you get price lists from Distributors you will be disappointed at what little your FFL saves you over internet gun shops.

I do not bother keeping many guns on hand since they sale just a few bucks above cost anyway.There are other things that I can invest money in and get a better return.
 
You have to be open to ATF audits anytime of the property that the FFL is deemed to be located upon, and your records are either impeccable, or you face huge fines. Other than the average issues of dealing with business zoning, etc, there's minor hassles; but if you're willing to do it, I'd say go for it, and have fun. Just make sure to get your IRS forms filled out, etc etc etc.

To me, it's almost more paperwork than it'd be worth. But, that's my opinion.
 
I love people who think getting a FFL is gonna open them to a new world of guns at half price. I got news for you people, you are already buying guns at $10-20 above dealer cost and if you think a $35 transfer fee is a ridiculous amount to pay you DESERVE to be a FFL.

In fact become a FFL near me. I want to drop mine and all the related costs and buy guns for you at flat $35 markups.

:neener:
 
Check out some pawn shops in your area. I'm sure you'll find one that will be willing to do transfers for $20-25. My favorite local shop charges $20 for a transfer or will order from distributors for $20 over his cost.
 
Sounds like an incredible amount of hassle to save a few dollars on transfer fees. Find a local dealer with more reasonable transfer fees. The $200 FLL license fee would pay for 10 transfers at $20 each.
 
Schmidlin;

I have personally not found it to be worth the hassle. I don't need to be on the ATF's inspection list, let alone go through the hassle of the rather strict record keeping.

It used to be possible to obtain a list of FFL's in your area from Shotgun News and possibly other sources. It's entirely possible that if your father were to locate a private individual who does have an 01, that an accomodation can be struck. Those who hold the commercial FFL's and are private individuals sometimes have a hard time meeting the aforementioned quotas. And therein lies the key to the accomodation. Capish?

900F
 
Yeah i talked to him tonight about it and he agreed. He doesnt want the family business on the map for something like this. The less people are around the better. It was more of an idea, if we can save a few bucks. But i think he is going to try a different FFL dealer, cause its costing him almost 90bucks just to transfer a firearm.


His main reason for wanting one is he does most of his heating purchases on a cabela's Visa (points). Which add up really quick with fuel being what it is. So he can basically go into cabelas and get any gun he wants for practically nothing. Just has to pay the transfer fee.
 
Schmidlin...
Well if he can get the guns for practically nothing... a few extra bucks is just the toll.... i'd try to work with the dealer in question to get a discount price. Do enough money work for them and they should come down. Otherwise i'd look for a different place.
-bix
 
cause its costing him almost 90bucks just to transfer a firearm.
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You mention 2 fees in your first post, one for $35 and one for $50. Is one of those a shipping cost?

As others have suggested, have him try calling around the local pawn shops. He should be able to find something under $25-30 for transfers on your end . . . but I'm not sure why he is paying $30 on the front end.
 
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