Do I need an FFL License?

[snowlover75m]

I am just curious. Would I need an FFL License if all I want to do is clean guns? I am not repairing any guns. I am not buying or selling guns. All I want to do is clean them from private owners and gun dealers.

Do I really need an FFL license for doing this?

 

[snowlover75m]

There have been 40 views but no one had answered. Is this a grey question? No Yes or No response?

 

[kingpin008]

Dude, sometimes getting a proper answer takes time. We've got some excellent legal-minded members here - have a little patience and one will be along to help you out.

 

[MtnCreek]

You could call your local ATF office and ask for an investigator. The ATF folks that I've talked to are pretty good folks (but confirm in writing). I think ATF web page has contact info for the local offices. Sorry, best I've got.

 

[Hanzo581]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-423039.html

 

[dogtown tom]

snowlover75m I am just curious. Would I need an FFL License if all I want to do is clean guns? I am not repairing any guns. I am not buying or selling guns. All I want to do is clean them from private owners and gun dealers.

Do I really need an FFL license for doing this?

Cleaning, repairing, refinishing.........all are common "gunsmithing" activities, and gunsmithing requires a license.
If the firearm would be left in your care then you would be required to hold an FFL.

I doubt you would need a license if you did this as a "while you wait" service.

 

[Hanzo581]

How realistic is a while you wait service though? You might as well get the license.

 

[kingpin008]

How realistic is a while you wait service though? You might as well get the license.

I'm wondering how realistic a service it is, period. I don't especially enjoy cleaning my guns, but it certainly doesn't bother me bad enough to pay someone else to do it either.

 

[Hanzo581]

It depends, if he hooked up with a local range and serviced people right when they got done shooting I think he could do well. I would never make a special trip to get my guns cleaned.

Then of course it comes down to cost and how long I have to wait.

 

[snowlover75m]

So just to be clear from what most people are saying. If I go to someone's home to pick up their gun and bring it back to them cleaned. I need an FFL? That just seems ridiculous. All I am doing is cleaning a gun, not fixing it, not selling them...just cleaning it. I guess I will need to call the ATF tomorrow. Thanks for everyone who replied.

I just can't believe our country has gotten so anal about our 2nd amendment that I need a license to clean a gun. Hey, Maybe I will buy the gun for a dollar and sell it back to them for what ever it cost me to clean it!

 

[Hanzo581]

Yeah, if you take possession of the firearm you are going to need an FFL.

 

[Jim K]

As I understand it, anyone who takes someone else's gun in to do anything to it for pay has to have an FFL unless the gun is under the owner's control at all times (in other words, a "while you wait" service).

Jim

 

[kingpin008]

Snowlover - it's not the service you're performing - it's the fact that a transfer is taking place. For that to happen legally, you need to have an FFL.

That said, I think that there is a time period attached to that - ie, you need to have it in your possession for X number of days or hours before it's considered a transfer. I am not sure of this and please don't quote me on it, but it is something I recall hearing in relation to this sort of thing.

 

[Bubbles]

That said, I think that there is a time period attached to that - ie, you need to have it in your possession for X number of days or hours before it's considered a transfer.

Overnight, and/or having firearms shipped to you will also require it.
FWIW we do offer a detail-strip and cleaning service, and it's only really been used by people settling estates when they want to sell off a deceased relative's collection. Otherwise, most folks just want to clean their own.

 

[kingpin008]

Thanks for the clarification, Bubbles.

 

[Colonel]

I'm wondering how realistic a service it is, period. I don't especially enjoy cleaning my guns, but it certainly doesn't bother me bad enough to pay someone else to do it either.

+1

If it's a centerfire rifle, ain't nobody gonna clean it but me. Come near it with an aluminum cleaning rod, and you might lose your arm.

As for .22 rifles, shotguns and handguns ... ya mean they're supposed to be cleaned? Who knew?

 

[CoRoMo]

A local "gunsmith" that I've done business with offers this very service. He offers a number of basic gunsmithing services, nothing too involved, but the one service that is requested most often, the one that generates more revenue than any other service (except for interstate transfers), is cleaning and lubing people's guns. And of course, he has an FFL. He does a ton of transfers from his home, but he got the idea to offer this service to his customers because apparently some of them voiced the idea and requested it.

Remember that only 10% of gun owners are as interested or active in this hobby/sport as a lot of us feel we are. Most all of the members here at THR are probably in that 10%. The other 90% of gun owners don't care to clean and lube their guns because they don't really shoot much. I know, all the gun owners that I'm related to are exactly like that.