Obtaining an FFL with no brick-and-mortar store
If I put this in the wrong section, sorry for that. Wasn't 100% sure where it is supposed to go.
Is it possible in theory to be issued an FFL if you do NOT have a brick-and-mortar store front?
If so, is it then necessary to sell over a certain amount of guns to keep yourself from losing the FFL?
I have heard mixed reports on this...
Mortise and tenon kitchen table FFL
New home based FFL here. According to my ATF investigator, he said that as long as you show some activity other than for your own collection, you will be fine. The bottom line is that you can't have it just to build your own collection. You have to be doing it to make a profit. How much of a profit really isn't important. The FFL itself was pretty simple to get. The hardest part was all of the state, local, government bullshit. Good luck.
Guy here in town just did it. Biggest hurdle was the planning and zoning folks. Had to have a hearing, get input from neighbors, etc. But he got it done. They're not nearly as common as they once were, but a few are still floating around. With the cost of the ffl, plus any associated permits, insurance, etc, you really need to move some guns to make it pay.
i did it 4 weeks ago. no big deal. HOA was the biggest hurdle
I heard a rumor someone near me tried to get one and the ATF called the county zoning department to see if a home based business like that was allowed. Zoning said "no" and that killed getting the FFL. So I think it is possible the ATF will make sure you can have a home based business. I'd be certain to look all that up with your zoning and HOA. Many zoning issues are a matter of semantics. For example, my zoning would clearly not allow a gun shop, but a farm supply store would be allowed. So maybe you could wiggle around zoning issues by how you frame the scope of the business.
I used to work with a couple of guys that had FFL's and no storefront. A guy down the road from me has one and does free transfers for family and friends.
I knew a Federal LEO who had one but they revoked it due to the local zoneing laws. This was during the Clinton era so it wasn't that surprising. I figured if they pulled his licesne there was no use in me even applying.
Then I went to the SHOT show during the Bush era and had a very good discussion with the ATF folks. They seamed to encourage me to apply and about 5 months later I was GTG. I think they're real sensative about appearing to throw their weight around with local govt. But if the locals don't mind the feds have been very accomadating.
Originally Posted By Ameshawki:
Guy here in town just did it. Biggest hurdle was the planning and zoning folks. Had to have a hearing, get input from neighbors, etc. But he got it done. They're not nearly as common as they once were, but a few are still floating around. With the cost of the ffl, plus any associated permits, insurance, etc, you really need to move some guns to make it pay.
Need to get your home approved for business purposes. In my area you need to have less than 10 customers, on average, per day.
Originally Posted By slanted:
I heard a rumor someone near me tried to get one and the ATF called the county zoning department to see if a home based business like that was allowed. Zoning said "no" and that killed getting the FFL. So I think it is possible the ATF will make sure you can have a home based business. I'd be certain to look all that up with your zoning and HOA. Many zoning issues are a matter of semantics. For example, my zoning would clearly not allow a gun shop, but a farm supply store would be allowed. So maybe you could wiggle around zoning issues by how you frame the scope of the business.
OR, you could (attempt to) obtain a zoning variance.
