Ffl?

[JamesCanby]

I'm contemplating becoming an FFL operating from my home. Thoughts pro or con? Comments related to being an FFL in VIRGINIA in general and (sigh) Northern Virginia in specific will be appreciated.

 

[bbMurphy]

I use an FFL that operates out of his home in Northern VA. Very easy arrangements. I sit at his kitchen table and fill out the forms, he processes them online and then goes upstairs to retrieve my purchases, I pay his transfer/paperwork fee and I'm on my way. Easy and simple.

 

[JamesCanby]

I use an FFL that operates out of his home in Northern VA. Very easy arrangements. I sit at his kitchen table and fill out the forms, he processes them online and then goes upstairs to retrieve my purchases, I pay his transfer/paperwork fee and I'm on my way. Easy and simple.

Yep, I've done the same thing at small, one operator FFLs and there was no hassle from the purchaser's standpoint.

What I'm more interested in seeing are the pros and cons of BEING an FFL that works from his/her home, but thanks for the reply.

 

[MontanaResident]

The two nearest FFLs to me charge $5 and $0. Not a lot of profit there.

 

[bbMurphy]

SNIP... What I'm more interested in seeing are the pros and cons of BEING an FFL that works from his/her home ...

I think that the best way to find out the pros and cons is to ask one of these FFL home based folk about this. Don't know if anybody else could give you an actual and factual answer.

 

[skidmark]

IIRC BATEFEIEIO did/is still cracking down on kitchen table FFLs, although I keep hearing that new ones are coming on line. Also IIRC many jurisdictions (in NoVa) disregard the courts' findings that imposing additional burdens on home-based FFLs, when compared to other home-based businesses. You need to know zoning laws inside out and know when some of them are deliberately designed to prevent you from operating that type of business without some compelling government interest.

The big question, of course, is whether or not you have the cash to tie up in inventory and insurance. While it may be possible I do not see how kitchen table FFLs who only do transfers keep even, let alone turn a profit. And turning a profit is supposed to be one of the requirements of maintaining a FFL.

I'm not trying to talk you out of any plans you have. Just trying to point out how hard it is made.

Good luck. And

stay safe.

 

[Thundar]

Use FFL 123. Easy to find with google online. Worth every penny. Before you start the licensing process decide whether you want to incorporate. If you decide later to incorporate you will start the process over again.

Get your business license and take care of any local paperwork before you apply to the ATF.

The FFL is easy to get if you tell the city/towwn clerk that your business is an online mailorder business. This is true if you buy or sell on Gunbroker or Auction Arms. Just don't tell them it is guns, that is none of their business.

You can get your Federal IEN online today, it is an easy process.

When you get the EIN and the Business license you can get your Virginia Sales tax number (If you are going to sell at gun shows make sure you register as a multiple location vendor.) For the EIN the website will tell you that you do not need an EIN for a sole propriotorship, but there is an exception for gun dealers.

After all this is done send in your FFL application. Tell them that you will buy and sell online If you tell them that you will only sell at gun shows they will deny your application.

If you want to transfer from your house you will probably need a conditional use permit from the city/town. This is the hard part where many cities and towns say no. I am from Newport News and cannot get the conditional use permit.

When the BATFE comes to your house be ready for a calm meeting these are the industry compliance folks not the kick down your door enforcement folks. When they ask to see your secure area, you can use a closet with a locking door. That is what I did.

After you get your FFL license you need to apply for your Virginia Dealer and seller number (DIN and SIN). This is fairly straighforward and the process is outlined well in the Virginia Firearms Dealer Handbook.

The process took me 5 months to navigate before I had everything I needed from the BATFE, Virginia and my city. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thundar

 

[JamesCanby]

Use FFL 123. Easy to find with google online. Worth every penny. Before you start the licensing process decide whether you want to incorporate. If you decide later to incorporate you will start the process over again.

Get your business license and take care of any local paperwork before you apply to the ATF.

The FFL is easy to get if you tell the city/towwn clerk that your business is an online mailorder business. This is true if you buy or sell on Gunbroker or Auction Arms. Just don't tell them it is guns, that is none of their business.
[snip]

Thanks, Thundar ... that's very helpful procedure-wise. Can you describe what your experiences have been in handling transfers?

 

[Tess]

I'm PMing you the email address of an individual who until very recently was actively an FFL from his home in NoVA.

 

[BB62]

Subscribing to follow the conversation.

 

[Wolf_shadow]

Subscribing to follow the conversation.

Me too!

 

[conhntr]

Ffl

One thing to be aware of is the ffl list is public record along with ffl address (in your case your home) id be concerned about having my name and home address listed all over the internet as having alot of guns.


Make sure you have a nice solid safe.

 

[skidmark]

One thing to be aware of is the ffl list is public record along with ffl address (in your case your home) id be concerned about having my name and home address listed all over the internet as having alot of guns.


Make sure you have a nice solid safe.

But think of all the opportunities to meet new and exciting people. [/sarcasm]

And yes, a safe, not a residential security cabinet.

stay safe.

 

[MontanaResident]

One thing to be aware of is the ffl list is public record along with ffl address (in your case your home) id be concerned about having my name and home address listed all over the internet as having alot of guns.


Make sure you have a nice solid safe.

Bolted to the floor and empty. Safes are targets, that advertise, "I'm valuable and in here".

 

[conhntr]

Bolted to the floor and empty. Safes are targets, that advertise, "I'm valuable and in here".

Well if your gonnna do that in northern Viginia you have to do it the right way and fill it with some sandbags

 

[skidmark]

Bolted to the floor and empty. Safes are targets, that advertise, "I'm valuable and in here".

Even small safes (not RSCs) start around 3/4 ton. Get one big enough to store some sales inventory and you are going to seriously irk a professional if they have to go up some steps. (They are placated by huge sums of money - often a per delivery charge + per stair step charge + by the foot from the closest place to your entrance in your driveway to where you want it.

http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/buyers-guide/best-gun-safe/

http://www.nashvillesafehouse.com/faq/top-10-things-to-know-before-buying-a-safe/

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

stay safe.

 

[JamesCanby]

Even small safes (not RSCs) start around 3/4 ton. Get one big enough to store some sales inventory and you are going to seriously irk a professional if they have to go up some steps. (They are placated by huge sums of money - often a per delivery charge + per stair step charge + by the foot from the closest place to your entrance in your driveway to where you want it.

http://gunsafereviewsguy.com/buyers-guide/best-gun-safe/

http://www.nashvillesafehouse.com/faq/top-10-things-to-know-before-buying-a-safe/

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunsafes.html

stay safe.

I already have a substantial gun safe. However, it is not my initial intention to "store some sales inventory," rather it is to handle transfers which I'm thinking would involve no more than the temporary storage of one or two firearms at a time -- well within my capacity. So far as I understand it, being an FFL provides benefits in addition to the fees derived from providing a transfer capability.

 

[CoryB]

I already have a substantial gun safe. However, it is not my initial intention to "store some sales inventory," rather it is to handle transfers which I'm thinking would involve no more than the temporary storage of one or two firearms at a time -- well within my capacity. So far as I understand it, being an FFL provides benefits in addition to the fees derived from providing a transfer capability.

As an FFL, I can say that the "temporary" storage can sometimes become an extended time depending on the buyers schedule and the VA State Police response to the 4473/SP-65 submission.

Also I'm curious as to what you understand the benefits of being an FFL are. FWIW, the ATF is very clear that you must be actively involved in the firearms industry and not use the FFL to primarily enhance your own firearms collection.

 

[JamesCanby]

As an FFL, I can say that the "temporary" storage can sometimes become an extended time depending on the buyers schedule and the VA State Police response to the 4473/SP-65 submission.

Also I'm curious as to what you understand the benefits of being an FFL are. FWIW, the ATF is very clear that you must be actively involved in the firearms industry and not use the FFL to primarily enhance your own firearms collection.

Thanks, Cory. My OP was to find out what the experiences of other FFLs on this board might be or have been, including the benefits and downsides of being an FFL.

No intent here just to increase my "collection." I have just about all the firearms I need for personal protection and to use in the classes I teach. If I do go the FFL route, it will be to provide one more transfer point in this progressive/liberal area of NoVA. It's more of a "service" thing than it would be a substantial revenue generator.

 

[nemo]

I'm contemplating becoming an FFL operating from my home. Thoughts pro or con? Comments related to being an FFL in VIRGINIA in general and (sigh) Northern Virginia in specific will be appreciated.

Coincidently, I am considering the same thing. As an additional question to those who already have one: can the holder get a discount on ammo?