FFL Only Forum Starting Up

[Bubbles]

For those of you who are FFL's, there's a forum starting for dealers to talk to other dealers about business-related issues (sorry, no 03's), group buys from manufacturers who don't sell to distributors and who require minimum orders (e.g. Benelli is $20k), etc.

Registration requires a copy of your license, (the site owner/admin is an FFL so you trade licenses like you would for a transfer), and participants are not anonymous.

http://gunenvy.com/fflforum/index.php

 

[Sock Puppet]

Great idea!

Any chance of having a limited members section for those who are interested in becoming an FFL? A FAQ for those considering going through the process would be fantastic, and the ability to post questions for FFL holders to reply to would be wonderful! Obviously, it would have to be a limited membership without access to the other forums.

 

[Bubbles]

It was considered, but we already do those things on other forums.

Since you asked, this is my standard response for people asking about getting a home-based FFL, since it's the most common question asked.

Steps to getting a Federal Firearms License (FFL):

1) Check your local zoning ordinances and HOA CCR's, if any. If either document prohibits you from obtaining a business license at your residence, go no further. The ATF will not issue you an FFL.

2) Check with your homeowner's insurance to see how much it will go up if you run a firearm business out of your home. Hopefully you have a local agent who you've personally known and worked with for many years, as the flunkie on the toll-free call center phone will probably freak at your questions. You may find the increase in premium alone makes getting an FFL unviable.

3) Another question for yourself - are you comfortable filing federal and state tax returns every quarter, and monthly sales tax returns? If not, add CPA services to your list of expenses.

4) If you've gotten to this point, find an attorney to help you form a S Corp, C Corp, or LLC (most folks go with an LLC). This is not the time to go with a DIY document off the internet, especially if you plan on dealing in NFA toys. Besides, being in the firearms biz, you're going to need an attorney sooner or later anyway; might as well get to know one now.

5) Once your corp is formed, obtain any necessary state and local business licenses to run a business. If you don't have these, the ATF will not issue an FFL. See #1 (and yes, they go to your county or city courthouse and check).

6) Call the ATF Distribution Center (703-455-7801) and ask for an application packet. It will include several copies of the application (no carbons unfortunately), fingerprint cards, and instructions.

Note that all manufacturers (Type 06, 07, and 10 FFL's) must register with the Department of State and pay ITAR annually. This registration fee is $2250.00.

 

[Erik M]

For those of you who are FFL's, there's a forum starting for dealers to talk to other dealers about business-related issues (sorry, no 03's), group buys from manufacturers who don't sell to distributors and who require minimum orders (e.g. Benelli is $20k), etc.

Registration requires a copy of your license, (the site owner/admin is an FFL so you trade licenses like you would for a transfer), and participants are not anonymous.

http://gunenvy.com/fflforum/index.php

The tin foil is telling me not to plug my FFL# into that site, or any website. Maybe after it gets off its feet and there are several hundred registered users.

 

[docpadds]

There are a handful of us in there. If you feel uncomfortable punching in your FFL I can easily set you up if you want to fax it etc to me (I can show you ours if you like too). We are taking the number though to verify as best we can the person is a real FFL. PM me if you would like to continue.

The more of us gather, the better our buying power etc compared to large dealers.

Thanks Bubbles for bringing this up!

 

[mgkdrgn]

Sounds good to me ... I'll see ya there shortly!

 

[dirtyjim]

since 03 ffl's aren't allowed on the site how about helping get the work out to ffl dealers who sell online that they are missing out on a lot of money by not accepting c&r ffl's for rifles that are clearly c&r eligible.
it seems like a business-related issue to me.

 

[Erik M]

since 03 ffl's aren't allowed on the site how about helping get the work out to ffl dealers who sell online that they are missing out on a lot of money by not accepting c&r ffl's for rifles that are clearly c&r eligible.
it seems like a business-related issue to me.

My FFL is a Type 3 guess i couldn't join anyway

 

[docpadds]

Sorry, it is more for dealers to work together with various things from large deals to pricing to advice for each other etc on issues we face.

 

[dirtyjim]

Sorry, it is more for dealers to work together with various things from large deals to pricing to advice for each other etc on issues we face.

i think you missed the point of my post.
i was not asking to allow c&r ffl's on the forum, its a business forum not a collector forum.
i was simply stating that there are many ffl's who do not know what a c&r is & refuse to sell firearms that are clearly c&r eligible.

this would fall under

advice for each other etc on issues we face.

if they sell online at auctions or a webstore they are missing out on a lot of sales.
although i can get a better deal from the wholesalers such as SOG or CENTURY i like to see the particular firearm i'm buying & i realize that it cost more to clean & photograph them. so i don't mind paying a little more but when i have to add the cost of a transfer to the price it is no longer a good deal & i will pass on it. i've passed on at least 20 rifles this year alone, combine that with several thousand more c&r's who are doing the same thing & it adds up to a very large amount of firearms that are still sitting on dealers shelves simply because they refuse to take 15 minutes to learn what a c&r is.
i also realize there are many firearms that might require a little research to find out if they were made before the cutoff date & i'm not including them since they are not clearly c&r eligible.
i've had lots of dealers tell me its not worth their time to look up dates on these firearms when i ask but they don't mind spending two or three hours a day talking with looky loo's who come into their store but refuse to take 10 minutes to close a sale with a c&r.

 

[docpadds]

I understand your point entirely, however many in this business are really quite set in their ways and customer service is not always the top priority it seems.
Some i have talked to don't want to deal with 03s either because they cant verify the licenses with the ATF either.
Unfortunately though most of the more difficult ones are unlikely to be the ones that visit our FFL only forum.

 

[dogtown tom]

docpadds ...Unfortunately though most of the more difficult ones are unlikely to be the ones that visit our FFL only forum.

There are a surprising number who are not aware that FFL's may be emailed, much less faxed.

There are still a lot of mom & pop FFL's with no computer or no internet.

I feel your pain with some dealers not accepting C&R's. I don't think it is due to ignorance as much as laziness (a phone call can verify).

Same with California sales. Took me less than five minutes to get set up with CDOJ so I could ship to California dealers. Yet a lot of dealers complain about all the hoops they would have to jump through in order to sell to California.

 

[stickhauler]

Some i have talked to don't want to deal with 03s either because they cant verify the licenses with the ATF either.

How exactly is that possible, since the ATF issues the Class 3 license as well. They don't just send you a piece of paper and not record it. If you have a Class 3 license, it is issued to you in your name, at your address, and everyone has a government issued ID like a drivers license with that same address (and a really bad picture on it). That excuse sounds like the usual BS a Class 1 dealer tries to use to avoid honoring a Class 3 license.

 

[dirtyjim]

There are still a lot of mom & pop FFL's with no computer or no internet.

I feel your pain with some dealers not accepting C&R's. I don't think it is due to ignorance as much as laziness (a phone call can verify).

the mom & pop stores with no internet connecrtion aren't likely to have guns for sale online so it doesn't really apply to them. you would have to actually be at their store anyway so there wouldn't be a transfer charge & them not knowing what a c&r is only adds about 5min of paperwork to the sale.

one of the local gunshops is c&r friendly along with one of the pawnshops. i've bought enough guns from both them so they know who i am & just signing them a copy of my c&r makes for a lot less work for both of us.

 

[docpadds]

An 03 license isn't verifiable on the Ezcheck system so has to be called in, and some just don't want to put the effort into it unfortunately, though they have not been ones that sell a lot of C&R either.

 

[cpu77]

This forum still exist when I click on it I just get a webstore. I always have FFL questions. ATF is not good about calling me back!

Thanks
Ralph

 

[docpadds]

It is now at www.fflonly.com

 

[GoingQuiet]

I can't register.

 

[docpadds]

You just did

 

[KeithB]

registered just now

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Sorry, but this isn't a troubleshooting other forums forum.