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Zombiekid

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Hi all, I am in the short rows of getting my FFL, and would like some much needed advice on some of the pitfalls and traps or any other things that can befall an FFL holder. Im sure there are a few old salty dealers that lurk around these parts:neener:. Seriously though, any experienced advice is totally apreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
 
if you are planing a brick and mortar store, don't rely on the guns making your money. you need to sell stuff with higher margins. some optics manufacturers are pretty good. ammo sucks. accessories and clothing are usually pretty good as well. if you can do bow's along with guns that will work too.
 
If you're asking about pitfalls in getting your license then the links Sam posted are good. If you're asking about the ones related to running the business, dealing with customers, distributors, merchant processors, the ATF, etc. then sign up at FFL Only once you have your license in hand.
 
Not to hijack but thanks for the links, Sam. I've been considering doing some re-barrelling work on the side but as I understand it simply doing this makes one (legally) a "gunsmith" which means that legally one must have an FFL. All this red tape kind of takes the wind out of the ol' sails.
 
Well, yes, I'd say rebarreling is about as clear a case of gunsmithing as you're likely to be able to think of. If you're going to be taking in other people's guns to do work on them (and getting paid for it, no less!) then you're a gunsmith.
 
Absolutely, just frustrating that Guv'ment regs have a tendency to discourage "very small businesses" from operating.

Best of luck to the OP, BTW. :)
 
I can share this with you. My first FFL was back in the early 90s when obtaining an FFL involved a simple form and a $30 fee (as I recall). I live in the south east suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. There was not even an issue of if we were zoned commercial. I started working out of the house and we were active with the gun show circuit. After a few years a friend who was in a brick and mortar shop had a coronary and was getting out of guns.

He was renting from a fellow known as Kastaway Kulis an outdoor type known for freeze dried baits and hunting. The shop was connected (but separate) from the Kulis operation. Kathy (my wife) and I took the shop over which was great as Joe Kulis was a great landlord. At that point we got a new FFL to reflect Kathy added and obviously the new address.

During all of the time we maintained a very good relationship with BATF. Another gun shop a few miles away was selling all the Lorcin, Jennings, and similar brand cheap .380 guns which we avoided. Those guns had a habit of turning up beside corpses downtown. We avoided cheap crap hand guns.

WE had a good nitch with SKS rifles and general military surplus rifles as well as new handguns. Considering Wal Mart was selling Mossberg 500s for ten bucks over our cost it becomes obvilus you wil;l not compete with the big box stores selling new long guns.

Another great nitch was reloading components. Anything the big box guys weren't selling.

We also continued to work the shows. The idea here was to promote the shop. If people had a problem with something they bought from us we could be found during the week.

My regular job workday ended at about 1:20 PM and the shop was open 2 PM to 9 PM daily and 9 to 5 on Saturdays. Sometimes after the range on Sundays I would stop at the shop and cl;ean what I shot but the door was open and the coffee was always on. People liked the comfort and just hanging out talking guns.

Business grew but we finally sold the business. The main problems were despite good sales and money it was hard to beat our real jobs, especially the paid benefits like medical, vision, and dental. We also went years without vacations. You open a brick and mortar and you have a responsibility to be there.

I still have all my gunsmith tools and as I get close to retirement and getting back into my guns have given getting another FFL some thought. I know the fees are up there now. I just don't know how BATF will feel about a home based part time gun dealer / gunsmith operation. I know the rules have changed quite a bit.

Just keep in mind everything that everyone covered and it is not a picnic but plenty of work. Screw up your books and BATF will be your worst nightmare. :)

Ron
 
Reloadron ....I just don't know how BATF will feel about a home based part time gun dealer / gunsmith operation...
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As long as you can legally operate a business at your proposed licensed premises, ATF will not care whether you use your home, tool shed or a big cardboard box in the back yard.
 
I just don't know how BATF will feel about a home based part time gun dealer / gunsmith operation.
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Just make sure once you retire and move you pick a residence where the zoning and local ordinances don't prohibit a home-based business and you'll be fine.

So sayeth the home-based manufacturer. :D
 
dogtown tom said:
As long as you can legally operate a business at your proposed licensed premises, ATF will not care whether you use your home, tool shed or a big cardboard box in the back yard.
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Knowing that I may get another FFL as I look forward to retirement. I know on the second one we got there were concerns about firearms storage but there is now a vault here.

Thanks
Ron
 
Reloadron ....on the second one we got there were concerns about firearms storage but there is now a vault here.
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There is no ATF requirement to have a safe, vault, alarm or attack poodle.

The "safe storage" requirement has to do with the availability of gun locks or other "safe storage" devices for anyone purchasing a handgun.
 
Thanks dogtown, gonna go for it. Hopefully things will go well since there was already an FFL at this address in my name.

Thanks Again
Ron
 
That was my understanding of the wording dogtown, thanks for the clarification. I'm still waiting to do the ATF interview.....getting excited
 
One of the fun things about being a part-time FFL is that you get to "own" (temporarily) a lot of guns that you couldn't afford to keep if you weren't reselling them. I've always had a deal with friends and regular customers that I "test" most guns for them.

I don't own all that many firearms, but an awful lot of interesting steel has passed through my hands.
 
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