Does anybody here have a FFL??

[andyhinds]

Do any of you have a FFL (Federal Firearms License)?

I'm getting ready to put in for mine, and was wondering if anybody else had one?

[TheRev]

Andy, you were asking if anyone else had an FFL. "Had" is the operative word here. I am an ex-FFL holder. I maintained the license for about eight years (I'm trying to remember how long they are good for... before you have to renew it. I think 3 years, maybe 5). Anyway, I ended up closing the books back in '98. I went through a fairly extensive ATF audit when I got out of the biz. I originally got the license because I did alot of pistolsmithing on 1911's and their clones and the rules are... "possession of a firearm for repair or modification for a period greater than 24hrs" requires the smith to be a FFL holder. Needless to say, I got sick of the requirements and rules so I closed the books and became just another collector (who still happened to work on 1911's and their clones - they were mine though). I also believe that John Bovenzi (Harley) may also be a license holder - but don't quote me on that. Just so you know, back in the day, the license holder was allowed to keep his personal collection separate from the books for the inventory. My understanding is this is not the case anymore. Accurate record keeping is an absolute necessity. The ATF is not at all forgiving for misplaced or "recordless" firearms. And the penalties for violations (even the smallest most innocuous faux pas) are usually prosecution and jail time. For record keeping purposes (your bound book and inventory list) you should invest in a decent computer program like "ARMS" software (stands for "Arms Record Management System"). This program is a NICS compliant program. The ATF still requires the "Bound Book" as a hard copy, but they allow the use of these programs as a second source of record keeping. Anyway, I'm sure you researched this info already. But if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

TheRev

[Lightning_Man]

"Accurate record keeping is an absolute necessity. The ATF is not at all forgiving for misplaced or "recordless" firearms. And the penalties for violations (even the smallest most innocuous faux pas) are usually prosecution and jail time"

Unless you ARE the ATF in which case when you were audited in 2000 and couldn't account for over 300 guns, then nothing happens.

[TheRev]

Lightning_man, you really don't think the ATF would ever admit that, do you? Seriously though, whats good for the goose is definitely not whats good for the gander. All political correctness aside, in this day and age, dealing in firearms paints a nice little target on your back that says "sue me". Any disgruntled family member who's relative was killed by a gun purchased at your store can sue you for negligent homicide if even one iota of your record keeping is judged to be not up to snuff. And even if it is "up to snuff", nothing prevents them from sueing you anyways. Andy, I'm not trying to discourage you from getting your license, don't get me wrong here. If that's what you want to do, then by all means pursue your dream. It's just that I believe people should always enter into a venture with "open eyes". Which is why I presume you asked the question in the first place. Good luck.

TheRev

[andyhinds]

Lightning_man, you really don't think the ATF would ever admit that, do you? Seriously though, whats good for the goose is definitely not whats good for the gander. All political correctness aside, in this day and age, dealing in firearms paints a nice little target on your back that says "sue me". Any disgruntled family member who's relative was killed by a gun purchased at your store can sue you for negligent homicide if even one iota of your record keeping is judged to be not up to snuff. And even if it is "up to snuff", nothing prevents them from sueing you anyways. Andy, I'm not trying to discourage you from getting your license, don't get me wrong here. If that's what you want to do, then by all means pursue your dream. It's just that I believe people should always enter into a venture with "open eyes". Which is why I presume you asked the question in the first place. Good luck.

TheRev

I'm not looking at opening a store or anything to the public, first I need to get my FFL, then a Class 3 dealer license.  My boss at work has both (plus other licenses) and makes mucho $$$ selling class 3 weapons.  Plus I can get guns at discounts, even though you are not supposed to use the FFL to enhance your own collection (per the BATF) there are legal loop holes (ie I buy guns from you at cost, you do the same from me, provided we both have FFL's etc.)

[Paco]

If you're not going to have a storefront, the biggest challenge is now making sure that you're zoned for home businesses.  Then, if you use your home address as your place of business, you realize that the ATF has the right to inspect your home...  right?

Those were the kickers for me.

The ATF has done all they could to do away with the "kitchen table" dealers.

[Bolger]

Yeah, I remember M79's dad saying they could inspect your house, anytime they want, with no prior. I think he still has a Class 3 Dealers License. Vincent is going to go for one, but hes still got some years to go. They can be fun I hear, if your willing to pay all the fees, and have the Government infringe on your privacy. I do have to say that thier full-auto MP40 is quite worth all the fees. And yeah M79's dad used to do pretty good, back he was dealing Class 3's.