klover
Member
Can someone tell me about the loops and hoops with Uncle Sam about becoming firearms manufacturer?
gun manufacture licsenses?
- Thread starter klover
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Clemson
Member
Or build your plant in South Carolina like FN did and be welcomed with open arms.
Clemson
Clemson
Riss
Member
biggest hoops are getting proper zoning, and showing some sort of equipment, tools, work area, etc. And of course sitting down with some paper pushin agent from the bureau of all things fun and exciting for an hour or two whilst he reads through stacks of unimportant papers.
There is actually very little problem with the feds for someone wanting to start a legitimate business. Local hassles may be a bigger problem.
If you have a properly zoned building, evidence that you have or will obtain machines and tools, and have some expertise, the main problem may be the same as any new business - getting customers with money to buy your product. You will also need insurance (hard to get), capital, and a source for tooling unique to the gun industry.
If you want to manufacture Class 3 firearms (e.g., machineguns), there will be not much more fed problems except you may need to show some interest from law enforcement or military, since sales to individuals are now banned. BATF will generally not bother a Class 3 manufacturer if he does a few guns for his own use, but they consider all the licenses except a Collectors License (C&R license) as business licenses, not licenses to engage in a hobby.
Note, though, that unless you want to make receivers or frames from scratch, a manufacturers license is not required. To do custom work or build guns on existing receivers/frames, only a dealer's license is required to work as a gunsmith.
Jim
If you have a properly zoned building, evidence that you have or will obtain machines and tools, and have some expertise, the main problem may be the same as any new business - getting customers with money to buy your product. You will also need insurance (hard to get), capital, and a source for tooling unique to the gun industry.
If you want to manufacture Class 3 firearms (e.g., machineguns), there will be not much more fed problems except you may need to show some interest from law enforcement or military, since sales to individuals are now banned. BATF will generally not bother a Class 3 manufacturer if he does a few guns for his own use, but they consider all the licenses except a Collectors License (C&R license) as business licenses, not licenses to engage in a hobby.
Note, though, that unless you want to make receivers or frames from scratch, a manufacturers license is not required. To do custom work or build guns on existing receivers/frames, only a dealer's license is required to work as a gunsmith.
Jim
wintermute76
Member
You can make receivers and firearms from scratch wthout a license if they are for your own personal use and not for sale.
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