ATF approval time to become FFL

[Onward Allusion]

I'm posting here because I know more than a few of you went through the process.

I would like to get my FFL and start processing transactions (buying/selling for profit). This would be a NON-home-based business. I would have an office/shop to conduct business.

My research has found that approval times are all over the board...anywhere from a few months to over a year. Is approval time based on the individual applying for the license and the depth of the background checks that need to be performed? What is an average wait time?

The other thing I'd heard is that the applicant must have a place of business BEFORE the ATF will grant you a license. Local zoning would also be a factor. Obviously, if that is the case, license wait times are a huge factor because of the overhead costs carried while waiting for approval. Also, if a place of business is a requirement, then it is a much larger risk if the license is not issued. Is a place of business required prior to the application process?

 

[dprice3844444]

you can have it at your house if zoning permits it

 

[Onward Allusion]

Zoning does permit but I don't intend on conducting business out of the house. What I am hearing is that one can apply for the license and list their house as the place of business and then change the premise location after approval? Would that be the strategy?

 

[mgkdrgn]

Yes, you must have all your local "ducks in a row" (location, permits, ext etc) BEFORE you start the Federal FFL process. The inspector is going to wand to meet you at your PREMISES and do your little "welcome to the FFL business" chat there.

For me (home based), it was just 6 - 8 weeks. All of the LOCAL stuff took longer.

Good luck.

 

[rule303]

Your business premise address needs to be on your application. You can not conduct business anywhere but the address on the license, except at a gun show. The first thing the ATF will check is to make sure your state and local laws (including zoning) allow you to run a firearms business from that location. They will also make sure you are in compliance with any other state and local requirements like business licenses, sales tax permit, storage requirements, alarm, etc.
I would figure on 30 days to get the initial checks done and interview, than another 30 days after your interview for the license to actually arrive. It really depends on the workload of the investigator assigned to you, and the time the FBI takes to do the BG check.

 

[GarySTL]

How much of a BG check do they do? If a person already has a C&R FFL would it go any faster? Just curious.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Not sure if it would go faster but at least you'd know that you've passed a background check.

 

[GarySTL]

I'm imagining the BG check for a regular FFL might be a little more in depth than for a C&R. Hey, before I retired I had a secret clearance.

 

[dogtown tom]

Onward Allusion ....My research has found that approval times are all over the board...anywhere from a few months to over a year.

Per ATF regulation CFR 478.47 ATF must approve or disapprove the application within sixty days. If someone says their application took over a year they aren't telling the whole story. If no action is made within sixty days of ATF receiving your application you can file an action against ATF to compel them to act upon your application.

That said ATF can approve your FFL, but lollygag a few weeks before doing your interview and then a few days or weeks later you get your FFL in the mail.

Mine took about 75 days from check being cashed to receiving the FFL.

Is approval time based on the individual applying for the license and the depth of the background checks that need to be performed? What is an average wait time?

Biggest factor is the work load of your area ATF office. The ATF FFL Licensing Center processes forms very fast. The slowdown occurs when it gets sent to the local ATF IOI.

Is a place of business required prior to the application process?

Yes, says so on the application.