FFL inspection

[exbiologist]

I posted this on the legal thread, but this is a more active section, so I'm hoping to hear some advice sooner.
I'm "interviewing" with an ATF agent tomorrow, Jan 13 at 1:00 pm. I've been wringing my hands about what to expect. I'm going for a manufacturing license because they consider restocking and refinishing guns to sell for profit "manufacturing". The agent only told me he wanted to make sure I'm not selling off of a picnic bench in front of a day care center, and he's looking for some assurances of security. I have gun cabinet hidden behind a wall with an access panel, I'm not even sure if he wants to see it. I really have no idea what to expect.
If any of you have been through this before, please help! What are they going to ask me, look for, etc? Anything else I should know before my dreams are stamped out?

 

[gunlocators1]

I can tell you it depends on the Inspector NOT Agent it will be an ATF Inspector from Industry Operations make sure you let him/her know your aware you need secure gun storage and record keeping has to be perfect. Just act your self. I really like our main Inspector here last inspection we visited for a few hours. He was a great guy and always very helpful. Make sure you ask questions. Thats their job to make sure you do it right. This will help lead to success. Ask thoer opinions on how they feel you should be filing your 4473's so follow up inspections can go smooth for THEM. I encourage you to make sure your letting them know your wanting to run your paperwork in a way that makes thier job later on when they reinspect.

 

[gunlocators1]

Oh by the way worse thing they can do is say no but be assured the ATF has had fools apply for FFL's and the address was vacant lots.

 

[koginam]

This is no big deal it will be informal, they may ask you if you understand how to do fill out a 4473, and about keeping your bound book up to date. they will see the shop space. Its all so a chance for you to ask any questions you may have.
Good luck let us know what happens.

 

[exbiologist]

Thanks guys,
I guess I just needed to be put at ease. I've been pretty nervous about the whole thing because I just didn't know what to expect. I'll let you know how it goes

 

[exbiologist]

Wow, it was totally easy. I was probably stressing over nothing. He said he saw no reason why I wouldn't get the license. It took nearly two hours to explain the regulations and answer my questions. He just briefly verified that I had some kind of security, but was impressed that I managed to get my safe behind a wall.
He said it's now another 4-6 weeks before I get the license, but it looks like I'm good to go!!!!

 

[mgkdrgn]

Congratulations! I hope mine goes as well when it's time for it.

 

[ljnowell]

So are you doing this out of your home? What kind of shop area do you have?

 

[subknave]

Let us know where you are located so maybe some who live nearby can give you some business. Just city and state then they can PM you if they want to throw some business your way.

 

[exbiologist]

Thanks guys,
I am doing this out of my home, with intent to sell at gun shows and the internet also.
I'm outside of Mead, Colorado. North of Longmont, south of Loveland.
I do not have a "brick and mortar" store, and that didn't bother the ATF agent at all, he said most of the internet guys do this same thing out of their home anyway. I will also be "manufacturing" and can do stockwork too.

 

[ljnowell]

Wow, I thought you had to be able to supply proof that you had a "shop area" with display room and stuff. SOmething about "kitchen table" dealers. I guess I was snowballed on that one. Do you have to own the home, or can you be a renter?

 

[exbiologist]

You can rent, but need the permission of your landlord. It specifically states that on the application.
I rent. All the agent did was ask my landlord if he's cool with me manufacturing firearms and dealing guns (he loves the idea actually), landlord said yes, and that was it.
Maybe the inspector was just being nice, but I asked several times whether he thought everything was ok. Said I was good.

 

[moooose102]

that is a beautiful peice of wood on that rifle! what i do not see (and maybe it is just the angle) is any checkering. do you checker the wood? how much for something like that?

 

[exbiologist]

Moose,
I did not checker it and personally don't care for the looks of it on some guns, especially with a highly figured piece of wood. The checkering makes it very difficult to see the figuring and distracts from the whole gun. I've never found oil based finishes to need checkering for grip, but but some finishes are more slippery than others. Also, this grip is very slim, which makes it easier to grip. Notice how much figuring there is in the grip and forearm, it was going to break my heart to hide that beautiful wood.
I'm still teaching myself to checker, the really good guys can charge 4 digits for big checkering jobs. I'm not there yet. It seems mid hundreds is going rate for average jobs.
Oh and I do hunt with this gun, she's no safe queen.

Were you interested in doing the project yourself and want to know what it takes, or were you interested in me building you a rifle, which I'd be happy to do?. I can also give you rough figures for what your gunsmith might charge.
You can PM me if you prefer, but I don't mind stating what it takes in the open.
Background on that gun:
Started life as a Wal-Mart Remington 700 ADL 7mm Remington Magnum with synthetic stock. The action was blueprinted, 27.5" Lilja Stainless Steel #3 countour 1:9 twist .264 barrel installed. Chambered to .264 Win Mag, glass bedded action, bottom metal fitted, trigger tuned. All metal parts were then teflon coated in a semi-gloss black. The stock is curly maple, stained with Laurel Mountain Forge Honey Maple diluted 80%, two coats of sealer, numerous coats of Permalyn finish. The caliber was engraved after the teflon coating and it creates a cool two tone effect.
Shot two elk and a deer with her so far.
There's a picture after inletting and glass bedding without much other work done to the stock. Then a picture after staining only, no sealer yet, but the metal finish was complete, then either the first or second coat of finish, I can't remember. The shine was subdued a bit by handrubbing additional coats of finish in after light sanding between coats.