Asking for FFL before sending a gun to gunsmith for work?

[mgmorden]

Just checking - I know that a citizen can legally ship a gun to a gunsmith for service and have it returned, but is it considered normal to actually ask for a copy of his FFL (or at least the # to verify on EZ Check) before sending it out?

Last time I shipped to a gunsmith they acted a bit offended that I asked for it, but I didn't think it wise to just mail off the gun without verifying his license. He did send it, but I'm getting ready to mail in another gun for some work to a different gunsmith and before I even asked I just wanted to check with everyone to get a feel on the etiquette of the situation.

Thanks.

 

[Ellsnjel]

There is an excel spreadsheet on ATFs website listing all 07 FFLs in a given state you can look up their number in there and then use it to verify with the ex check. That's what I've done previously. And I print it out in case the employees at ups or fedex give me a hassle when shipping

 

[mgmorden]

Found it - thanks, that was exactly the type of thing I was looking for .

 

[dogtown tom]

mgmorden Just checking - I know that a citizen can legally ship a gun to a gunsmith for service and have it returned, but is it considered normal to actually ask for a copy of his FFL (or at least the # to verify on EZ Check) before sending it out?

Some dealers/gunsmiths don't want to send out their FFL to someone they don't know for fear of receiving a mystery gun ( a gun sent by an unknown person, to an unknown person). It happens with increasing frequency.

I won't even send my FFL copy to other dealers who call up and demand it.....I require the transferee/buyer who wants to use me for his transfer to send me the information himself. (dealers are every bit as bad as nonlicensees about including the details of the transfer with the firearm). if I know ahead of time what gun to expect, it makes the detective work a bit easer.

Last time I shipped to a gunsmith they acted a bit offended that I asked for it, but I didn't think it wise to just mail off the gun without verifying his license. He did send it, but I'm getting ready to mail in another gun for some work to a different gunsmith and before I even asked I just wanted to check with everyone to get a feel on the etiquette of the situation.

ATF tells licensees that a nonlicensee doesn't need a copy of their FFL. Some licensees take this to mean that they should keep their FFL secret. Some refuse to send a copy until the other dealer sends them a copy of his FFL first.

As a nonlicensee, you don't NEED an FFl copy, just be sure you are shipping to a licensee. You can do that by using FFL EZ check.