Renewing C&R FFL License?

[Midwest]

Is anyone planning on renewing their Curio and Relics License?

I am planning to get a Curio and Relics License
I just received my Curio and Relics License
I just renewed
Yes
No
Not Sure

Please give your reasons (if you want) in your comments.

The reason for this poll is that I just got my renewal notice and I'm not going to renew. I have not been using it and there really have not been any good deals like they were 10 years ago.

But I was curious about the rest of y'all out there. And would like to hear your reasons for renewing or not renewing. Or your reason for obtaining your C&R License or planning to get a C&R License.

Hopefully this poll is OK here as it is firearms related.

Thanks
.

 

[Jlr2267]

Yes, I will renew again. I agree the deals are not what they used to be, but that could change as more firearms are added.

 

[GBExpat]

After 12 years I decided to let it lapse last February.

The relatively inexpensive milsurps, my primary interest, are mostly a thing of the past. I also managed to acquire quite a collection (read, accumulation) during my 03FFL time.

In addition, I no longer have the possibility of an ATFE Audit hanging over my head, not that I was ever really worried about that, it was always a large inconvenience the might happen.

If I decide in future that an 03FFL would be nice to have again, I will get another ... and then only have the newly-acquired C&R Firearms in the new Bound Book to account for if the BATFE calls.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I just renewed mine. There are still some deals out there on C&R Surplus, but I do agree - they are fewer and further in between. Also have to keep in mind that the C&R license doesn't only work with C&R eligible military surplus. Anything 50 years or older falls into the C&R category. My experience in the last few years is that more individuals are aware of this criteria and will sell/ship directly to C&R Licencees. This saves a few bucks and takes out the middle-man.

 

[ScottS]

Easy-peasy renewal. I got the license so fast I was confused as to what it was. Figured it couldn't be my license already.

Among other good reasons (I like to wander through gun stores/pawn shops when I travel, looking for C&R weapons), as a Licensed Collector, I never have to sweat shipping weapons to myself should the need arise.

 

[jmace57]

An easy renewal and $30. You have to report just gross numbers how many c&r items you bought and sold under the previous license. In my case I bought 40 and sold 9. I see that slowing down as I am more selective than I was before. But one direct shipment pays the cost of the license.

 

[BSA1]

Absolutely renew(ing).

I have save hundred's of dollars from places like Brownell's for accessories, reloading and gun parts.

 

[musicman10_1]

I renewed about 6 months ago. I simply enjoy having the license and the opportunity to add to my collection - though it is a slow process these days since the C&R well is pretty dry.

 

[SleazyRider]

The Evil Empire State does not permit handguns on the C&R license, just long guns. We can no longer get amunition on line. So the only thing left are C&R long guns, and the pickings look pretty slim.

So, no, I'm not renewing.

 

[GBExpat]

It is sometimes handy to let your long-held 03FFL expire ... like when you have filled 4½ pages of your Bound Book and would not look forward to the possibility of having to sort all of that out as an ATFE Agent sat in your basement watching.

If I only had a few C&R acquisitions in The Book, I would have gladly re-upped for a 5th term.

 

[dogtown tom]

GBExpat ... and would not look forward to the possibility of having to sort all of that out as an ATFE Agent sat in your basement watching....

Why would you agree to let ATF into your home?
03FFL's have the option to meet ATF at a government office. All you need to do is bring your bound book.

§478.23 Right of entry and examination.
(c) ..... At the election of the licensed collector, the annual inspection permitted by this paragraph shall be performed at the ATF office responsible for conducting such inspection in closest proximity to the collectors premises.

 

[Ed Ames]

I let mine expire a few years ago. At the time I was dealing with other priorities and I knew I would move during the license period so I decided to let it go and get another once I had moved and settled in. Still haven't, and I regret that about once every 2-3 months when I encounter some C&R item or another.

The biggest loser has actualy been Midway, who cancelled my FFL discount on the day it expired. They went from my first choice for everything to second or third, just because without the discount it is worth shopping.

 

[Swing]

I let mine expire earlier in the year too, after many years of being licensed. My tastes have changed, the C&R market is very different now than it was years ago, and in the off-chance there is an item I really would like, it can be sent to a 01FFL in my area.

 

[GBExpat]

Why would you agree to let ATF into your home?
03FFL's have the option to meet ATF at a government office. All you need to do is bring your bound book.

Because, until your post, for 12 years every reference I have read regarding such Inspections involved them matching the C&R firearms to the entries in the Bound Book.

If all they do is look at your Book, then it is not really an inspection of your Collection & Book and of zero concern so long as whatever you choose to log, you log correctly.

 

[Vonderek]

I voted "no". I did not renew. The glory days of surplus are over and there is really nothing i want that's on the c&r market now. Midway no longer offers a discount. There's no compelling reason for me to go through the process of renewing when it won't get any use.

 

[newfalguy101]

I have an 01 and every time its up for renewal I go this very debate within my own head.

I have often entertained the idea of dropping the 01 and getting an 03 in its place.

Frankly, for $30 bucks, I would renew simply because there are guns being added to the eligible list literally monthly, and you just never really know what you might run across in a local gun or pawn shop.

When the day comes that the idea of having a handgun delivered to my front door no longer makes me giggle, THAT is when I will give up having an FFL of any type.

 

[GBExpat]

When the day comes that the idea of having a handgun delivered to my front door no longer makes me giggle, THAT is when I will give up having an FFL of any type.

That made me laugh out loud, thanks for that ... I grok.

 

[wally]

I need to call them again, still haven;t received my renewal, expired mid June, I called right after it "expired" and they said it was "in process"

No matter the current C&R availability situation the Brownell's "dealer discount" more than pays for the $30 fee for me.

 

[mfhretired]

I intend to renew mine when it expires, though I still have about 2 years on it. I find it very useful to order C&R guns from Aim Surplus. I recently got a very nice 1939 Swiss K-31. The license is also useful for buying guns at gun shows. Even if a gun isn't C&R eligible, having the license shows sellers that I am serious, which makes them more likely to deal. Of course, having cash helps too...

I am surprised how many people I run into at gun shows who don't know what a C&R license is though.

 

[slumlord44]

I have had mine for many years and will definitely renew it when it expires. I have most of the military guns I want but still collect Stevens single shots and Remington .22's along with whatever else strikes my fancy. Most of what I like is over 50 years old and therefore a C&R. For $10 a year I never plan to let it expire. Record keeping is no problem and I have never had a BATF check yet. Not concerned if I do.

 

[happygeek]

The Evil Empire State does not permit handguns on the C&R license, just long guns.

To my understanding CA is the same way. I don't get it. Assuming you think background checks are a great idea ... I still don't get it. A check run by the ATF isn't good enough? Someone intent on committing a crime with a CZ82 with super evil 12 round mags is going to send their home address, name, SSN, and $30 to the ATF first?

I just renewed, my new license came in the mail while I was on vacation. In the prior 3 years I bought 8 (including a super evil CZ82) and sold 0. Except for the CZ82, which was Czech police surplus if I'm not mistaken, they were all dangerous weapons of war. A few could have conceivably been used in genocide.

Sadly I think I've already bought most of the low hanging fruit. The WWII weapons I want but don't have yet are considerably more expensive. Hopefully I can consider getting 1 or 2 more in the next 3 years.

 

[cc-hangfire]

Since this is an informal survey, I'll repeat some earlier replies. I got my C&R last year, and will definitely renew. I've bought more firearms that I should have -just ask my wife- and I am as addicted to gunbroker.com as a lonely housewife to the Home Shopping Channel. There are plenty of desirable, & functional firearms that are over 50 years old; if you do your homework on them and demonstrate that fact to most sellers, they will ship directly to you on those C&R guns. A $30 license fee is almost recovered by saving the $25 FFL transfer fee on just one gun; the second gun and beyond are money saved for ammo.