CDignition
Member
I am considering getting my FFL, and want to run it out of the home...I mainly want to do Gunsmithing, and was wondering what hurdles there may be from BATF regarding this..Only Florida FFL holders should reply here..thanks..
florida FFl's and Home buisness Zoning laws
- Thread starter CDignition
- Start date
- Status
I am not a FLA FFL but it does not matter to the BATF what state you are in for getting an FFL, the rules are the same since it is Federal.
Local ordinances may keep you from having a home based business but nothing to do with an FFL. I ran mine out of my home for several years.
This is what the BATF required from me:
1. I had to show secure storage for firearms.
I had a walkin vault built in my home.
I had a security system installed.
2. I had to have set business hours and be open to the public.
I listed 6 hours per day 7 days a week, you can stay open longer if you want. I got a DBA cretificate at the courthouse in my business name for $10 and added another phone line in the business name. I also opened a bank account in the business name so to the BATF I am a business.
Send in for your sales tax permit so you have it ready when you open.
Order all of your forms in advance as well as your bound books, the forms are free from the BATF and the bound books are cheap, you can find them online. It will impress the agent that comes to conduct your interview if you have everything ready. My interview was over an hour long. Be nice and respectful, remember this man will decide wheather you get your license or not.
Call your local city hall and ask if there would be a problem with you opening a home based business, don't tell them right up front that it is gun related as they may tell you no right off the bat. If they tell you it's ok the ask if there would be a problem with sporting goods. There should be no difference between your business and someone babysitting or any other business from their home.
Remember you will be subject to inspection without notice. This is also a business that takes the type of person that will keep very good records. If you are not this type of person then this business will get you in trouble sooner or later.
Good luck, I hope it works out.
Local ordinances may keep you from having a home based business but nothing to do with an FFL. I ran mine out of my home for several years.
This is what the BATF required from me:
1. I had to show secure storage for firearms.
I had a walkin vault built in my home.
I had a security system installed.
2. I had to have set business hours and be open to the public.
I listed 6 hours per day 7 days a week, you can stay open longer if you want. I got a DBA cretificate at the courthouse in my business name for $10 and added another phone line in the business name. I also opened a bank account in the business name so to the BATF I am a business.
Send in for your sales tax permit so you have it ready when you open.
Order all of your forms in advance as well as your bound books, the forms are free from the BATF and the bound books are cheap, you can find them online. It will impress the agent that comes to conduct your interview if you have everything ready. My interview was over an hour long. Be nice and respectful, remember this man will decide wheather you get your license or not.
Call your local city hall and ask if there would be a problem with you opening a home based business, don't tell them right up front that it is gun related as they may tell you no right off the bat. If they tell you it's ok the ask if there would be a problem with sporting goods. There should be no difference between your business and someone babysitting or any other business from their home.
Remember you will be subject to inspection without notice. This is also a business that takes the type of person that will keep very good records. If you are not this type of person then this business will get you in trouble sooner or later.
Good luck, I hope it works out.
CDignition
Member
thanks..good input...I found the zoning rules online for my county..it looks like I can have an office here, as long as I do no sales..thats good ,cause ill pickl up all my work elsewhere from customers.. here is the link:Businesses in Residential Areas - The following are permitted home occupations:
* Artists & Sculptors
* Authors & Composers
* Dressmakers, Seamstresses, Tailors
* Day Care Homes
* Home Crafts
* Office - provided that no retail or wholesale transactions are made on the premises
* Telephone Answering Services
pharmer
Member
CD, if you are in a subdivision or inside city limits, it won't matter what is allowed regarding guns. I was renewing my FFL in 95 as I did every three years. Atf said I needed a zoning variance. Paid my $100 and got on the schedule for the county commission mtg. Explained I had been in business for 12+ years, had safe storage, answered questions from all over the spectrum for over 45 minutes. After all that, 1 chucklehead voted against and the rest followed. Denied, ATF forced me to withdraw my renewal under a veiled threat. Good luck. Joe
- Status