FFL & Place of Business

[Onward Allusion]

Will be applying for my FFL 01 in the very near future. Do I need to have a place of business established prior to filing the application? I will not be processing transfers out of my home but rather in a small office setting.

The reason I ask is that it is like a catch-22/chicken or egg situation. Do I need to have the premises identified, approved by the local guberment, & leased before ATF approval or get ATF approval so that I can approach the locals?

 

[dogtown tom]

Onward Allusion Will be applying for my FFL 01 in the very near future. Do I need to have a place of business established prior to filing the application?

Yes, the application will ask the address of the licensed premises.

Do I need to have the premises identified,

Yes

approved by the local guberment,

ATF will check prior to issuing the FFL to see if you are in compliance.

& leased before ATF approval or get ATF approval so that I can approach the locals?

You won't be issued a license to a premises you don't own or lease.

 

[Jim K]

At one time, ATF didn't care, but after Clinton ordered the number of FFLs to be reduced to "legitimate" businesses (eliminating so-called "kitchen table" dealers), ATF will not issue a license unless the applicant is in compliance with local codes, zoning laws, and business licensing laws. That does not rule out home dealers where home businesses are legal, but it requires most dealers to have a business premises.

FWIW, I strongly recommend a business location anyway. Having bad guys looking for guns to steal won't be the ideal guests in your home, nor will guys wanting a rifle for deer season at 3 AM on opening day.

Jim

 

[Bubbles]

Having bad guys looking for guns to steal won't be the ideal guests in your home, nor will guys wanting a rifle for deer season at 3 AM on opening day.

Speaking as a home-based FFL, the latter has been a much bigger problem than the former (except the rifles needed to be repaired not purchased).

For the OP, the order to follow is:
- Create LLC or Corp.
- Get FEIN, state business license, etc.
- Lease suitable space if not operating at home, taking into account zoning, local ordinances, etc.
- Apply for FFL.