thinking about starting side FFL business in CA

[silverlance]

having spent more than 2 weeks struggling to find an FFL who will transfer a $99 enfield mk3 to me for less than 110$, it struck me that there might be a lot of folks like me who want to buy guns not readily available here in CA but are unwilling to pay high fees.

I figured that if I could get an FFL, I might concievably charge $25 per gun and run a decent business.

does anybody know what is required to run an FFL transfer-only "shop" here in CA? I know how to get the license (go to ATF.com, etc), but what about having a legal place of business?

 

[cosmos7]

Unfortunately you're forgetting the DROS (also $25), which is what makes it start to add up. Can't really get away with cheaper than $50 in this state...

 

[Buck Snort]

I can't imagine how it'd be worth the hassle of dealing with the BATF.

 

[M-Rex]

I looked into getting an FFL in California. I found that the paperwork fees alone added up to right around $1000 after all the Federal, State, and County fees and requirements. That was several years ago. I'm not sure if things have changed much.

However, if you simply want to have firearms such as the Enfield shipped to your door, you can get a Curios & Relics FFL which will allow you to have longarms shipped to you direct. In generality, firearms 50 years old, or older are considered 'curios and relics'. You will need a C&R license and a California Certificate of Eligibility to bypass the 10-day wait. Handguns must still be transferred through a regular FFL holder. However, you can purchase them at, say, a gunshow and bypass the 10-day wait. You simply hand the dealer signed photocopies of your C&R and CCoE. I'm working on this option right now. PM me if you have any questions. I've been collecting a lot of research on the requirements for a C&R.

 

[magsnubby]

cosmos7 is right about the DROS fees. M-Rex also.

I also looked into getting an FFL several years ago. From what i was told you can't work out of your house. The business has to be seperate from your residence. Way to much hassle dealing with the DOJ and the BATF.

 

[Pilgrim]

In addition to a FFL, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility from the state Department of Justice to conduct business. One of the requirements for a COE is a letter or license from your city saying that you meet all the city's requirements for conducting a business involving the sales of firearms. In all probability, if you are living in an area zoned 'Residential' you can kiss off ever getting a letter from your city.

Pilgrim