Question About FFL License Copies and Shipping?

[cslinger]

Why does the copy of the FFL license have to be an INK SIGNED copy?

Why can't you just fax a copy of said license and the person on the other end simply verifies license status online. Even if somebody went to the trouble to steal a license the shipper would still be sending the item to the FFL's address.

Maybe I am just an idiot and missing something. Is this a law or is it just a guideline that everybody has adopted.

Somehow I know deep down this is a stupid question and I am going to realize it when I get my answer.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Kharn]

Does the FFL EZ check show the shipping address? I thought it just came back with 'Valid' or 'Invalid' and didnt give the address, if thats so, someone could just photoshop their address onto the license and get a whole lot of guns (and could probably go on until some distributor's database software noticed two records with identical FFL numbers).

The non-black ink is to prove the signature wasnt copied (and thus has the consent of the FFL, I guess). Both the mailed copy and the non-black signature are in the ATF book, so they werent made up by normal people.

Kharn

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Is this a law or is it just a guideline that everybody has adopted.

It is the law.

Does the FFL EZ check show the shipping address?

It shows Valid/Invalid. And the real kicker is that C&R (03-FFLs) do not show up on the search. The one class of FFL where the EZ check would be useful since they normally list a residential address. Most other FFLs have a storefront/business address that can be verified in the yellowpages if anyone wanted to check.

 

[cslinger]

Thanks for the replies. I was just curious since I am waiting on somebody's FFL to come through the mail and I just figured it would be easier to get it emailed and then I could verify it's veracity.

I just feel bad that I already have in my possession my part of the trade and he doesn't. Snail mail is taking forever.

Chris

 

[EOD Guy]

The law requires that a certified copy of the FFL be sent to a shipping dealer. Certified means with an original signature. The color of the signature or method of signing is not specified. A dealer could sign in pencil or crayon if he wanted to. Most use an ink other than black to try and show it is an original signature, not a copy. The BATF EzCheck site shows both the mailing address and the premises address of the licensee.

By the way, a non-FFL does not have to have a copy of the receiving dealer's license. Verification thru the BATF web site is acceptable.

 

[cslinger]

So are you saying that if I intend to do business with another individual in another state I am not legally bound to recieve a signed FFL before shipping said item. My only responsibility is to make sure that I am indeed shipping to an FFL holder that is valid as far as the BATF is concerned.

So if Joe Blow from Arizona buys my gun and tells me he wants it shipped to blankety blank dealer with a dealer number of xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and emails me the license, I only have to go through the BATF web site or other means to confirm that blankety blank dealer is indeed a true FFL. Once I have done this I can ship the gun legally.

Could you possibly point me to the legalize that this is derived from.

I appreciate all the feedback. I hate breaking firearm laws no matter how stupid or little they are. I am sure we have all unknowingly broken a law or two but I really do try to go out of my way to be on the up and up.

Thanks
Chris

 

[No4Mk1]

Legalities aside, as a C&R holder when I sell I like to have the ink-sigend copy for my file to cover my posterior.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

So are you saying that if I intend to do business with another individual in another state I am not legally bound to recieve a signed FFL before shipping said item. My only responsibility is to make sure that I am indeed shipping to an FFL holder that is valid as far as the BATF is concerned.

A non-licensee is not required to have any physical proof the receiver has a valid FFL. As long as he believes he is shipping to a legal FFL, he is ok. The reason for getting one is CYA in case something happens down the road. As long as it is legal for you to ship a firearm to a FFL without violating any local laws, you may do so. If the guy you are shipping to doesn't actually have one, he is the one breaking the law.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I usually ask for an FFL copy anyway. The post office was VERY reluctant to send a rifle to a meat processing company without knowing that there was a valid FFL at that address.

 

[cslinger]

I don't know why. Just tell them you are sending them a Meat Aquisition Device Model 1000.