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Posted: 7/25/2025 6:09:18 PM EDT
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Not really FFL related, but more to the business of it, so I hope this is an ok question for this forum. I retired early to the Arkansas ozarks (originally from Wisconsin) and zero jobs out here. I started selling military surplus at local events and do ok. The events are pretty spaced out and I have a 2nd conditioned building on my property that could be a store. What made me think of this is I sold something in town and the guy asked if I had some FLC's or other Chest rigs. I said yea at my place. He asked if we could go there now and I ended up selling quite a bit and have a great repeat customer. I currently have my stuff in an enclosed trailer. Now my 2nd barndo just got spray foamed and I have a mini split in it. Nothing fancy but a large space and it even has a rest room (not going to advertise that) I have had 3 people come to my place to buy stuff and so far OK people. I know that will not always be the case. I have been well received in town by locals because I'm not an Ass  and We homestead also. We are also pretty active in local events selling there and giving a little back to the town. I'm the last house on a narrow dirt road about 10 minutes out of a very small touristy town. Most of my customers are very rural locals. I worry about security, and I figure that Home based FFL's would be in a similar situation with higher security risk. I also worry about traffic backing up as it's a single lane road with no shoulder in spots. It's a very well maintaned dirt road that a Prius has made it down with no issues. I am thinking "by appointment only" is the way to go? Most expensive stuff I sell is body armor in general. I don't sell guns but do have at times P-mags and other accessories. I sell lots of pouches, lbv's, backpacks, and ammo cans of all sizes. So you guys with Rural home based FFL's how do you make it work? Is this a bad idea? I hate to rent or buy a space closer in town as I would have to raise prices or do much more volume. Income is generally low in the area but the locals always seem to have Cash on hand and like to buy "stuff" |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
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I had friends who sold scopes etc later they opened a storefront gun store , Covid killed it, now back to on line and EBay etc probably a few gun shows. I’ve had a home based business (not FFL and had same in a store front) the overhead from the store front kills the business unless you have huge volume. |
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Originally Posted By Urimaginaryfrnd: I had friends who sold scopes etc later they opened a storefront gun store , Covid killed it, now back to on line and EBay etc probably a few gun shows. I’ve had a home based business (not FFL and had same in a store front) the overhead from the store front kills the business unless you have huge volume. thanks for the reply yes that is my problem, If I get a space in town I will have to do huge volume or charge more. If I have a home based shop I can keep prices affordable I just don't know about osec and security of the property in general |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
|
Cameras and secure rooms. Barred windows and heavy duty doors. Safes bolted down. Signs on the door to the shop that state that cash and guns are stored in time locked safes. Signs that say no Inventory is stored in your home. My biggest fear in this situation is making my family a target. In general, the thugs hit the bigger, public storefront stores, and have left us alone. But it is a fear and a possibility |
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Originally Posted By SGT-Fish: Cameras and secure rooms. Barred windows and heavy duty doors. Safes bolted down. Signs on the door to the shop that state that cash and guns are stored in time locked safes. Signs that say no Inventory is stored in your home. My biggest fear in this situation is making my family a target. In general, the thugs hit the bigger, public storefront stores, and have left us alone. But it is a fear and a possibility thanks for that information. I would only be selling surplus and body armor but I would still need to say that about the cash locked up. Crime in general is almost non existent in our area but I always worry |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
|
Originally Posted By SGT-Fish: Cameras and secure rooms. Barred windows and heavy duty doors. Safes bolted down. Signs on the door to the shop that state that cash and guns are stored in time locked safes. Signs that say no Inventory is stored in your home. My biggest fear in this situation is making my family a target. In general, the thugs hit the bigger, public storefront stores, and have left us alone. But it is a fear and a possibility Signs?  Signs don't deter criminals. Good lighting, video cameras, an alarm system, barking dogs and nosy neighbors work better than any sign. Well, maybe a sign saying "Trespassers will be shot" might work. |
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Originally Posted By DogtownTom: Signs? Signs don't deter criminals. Good lighting, video cameras, an alarm system, barking dogs and nosy neighbors work better than any sign. Well, maybe a sign saying "Trespassers will be shot" might work. A bit of anecdata about security systems. I rode my bicycle for an appointment to pick up something from such an FFL, and he wasn't in his barndominium. So I phoned him and it turned out he relied on his security system to notify him when somebody arrived to get to the barndominium. The security system had been set up to only pick up cars. :) |
| Harden the business premises as much as possible, or at least make it look like it’s not worth breaking into. My FFL has a detached garage at his residence that he conducts all business from. He primarily does internet transfers but was in the same boat as you a few years ago, as his word of mouth FFL transfer business started to grow. He just had jersey barriers placed around the 2 man doors and main garage door to prevent vehicles ramming in. Motion sensor lights and outdoor cameras as well as indoor cameras. He also replaced the man doors with steel security doors and frames. I think he said he’s got around $6k invested in security versus overhead of buying a brick and mortar store at a different location. |
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I've been running a small home based out of my basement garage for 2 years now. Camera system and appointment only. 95% of customers are friends, acquaintances or friends of those. I don't stock many guns, a small amount of accessories and ammo. Most is direct order for customers or online order transfers for customers, usually PSA and gunbroker. In 2 years I've done around 275 4473 items and a fair amount of ammo, optics and reloading supplies. It's enough to be a fun side gig that buys me a few new things per year. I plan to go full retail in 4-5 years when retirement comes around. I've done really well buying popular items and posting them to my FB page that is labeled "licensed FFL". It seems there is usually somebody local that wants to buy it even if you have to sit on it for a month. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. ETA I am also at the end of a dead-end county road but I have a ~50x75' parking area behind the house. There has been several Friday afternoons where I have had 3-4 customers picking up at one time. It usually leads to guys sitting/standing around in conversation which is mostly enjoyable. Beats going out to the bars on a friday. |
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I am going to take a gamble. Locals that I trust and respect told me not to worry as most methheads will pick easier targets and kinda stay in the backwoods. I was told if a business is pro 2A people respect that out here I will have camera and the necessary precautions. thanks everyone |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
|
Originally Posted By BluffDweller: I've been running a small home based out of my basement garage for 2 years now. Camera system and appointment only. 95% of customers are friends, acquaintances or friends of those. I don't stock many guns, a small amount of accessories and ammo. Most is direct order for customers or online order transfers for customers, usually PSA and gunbroker. In 2 years I've done around 275 4473 items and a fair amount of ammo, optics and reloading supplies. It's enough to be a fun side gig that buys me a few new things per year. I plan to go full retail in 4-5 years when retirement comes around. I've done really well buying popular items and posting them to my FB page that is labeled "licensed FFL". It seems there is usually somebody local that wants to buy it even if you have to sit on it for a month. All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. ETA I am also at the end of a dead-end county road but I have a ~50x75' parking area behind the house. There has been several Friday afternoons where I have had 3-4 customers picking up at one time. It usually leads to guys sitting/standing around in conversation which is mostly enjoyable. Beats going out to the bars on a friday. thanks for this! |
have gun will travel
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
|
Originally Posted By SGT-Fish: Signs on the door to the shop that state that cash and guns are stored in time locked safes. Signs that say no Inventory is stored in your home. My biggest fear in this situation is making my family a target. In general, the thugs hit the bigger, public storefront stores, and have left us alone. But it is a fear and a possibility Why do this if you are so scared of your own shadow. |
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Originally Posted By Walker77: Why do this if you are so scared of your own shadow. It doesnt keep me up at night. But knowing your most likely threats is good just good security posture. And some signage is cheap insurance to help in the case of someone trying to victimize us. I said its my biggest fear(anything happening to my family). I didnt say that im constantly scared or terrified. You are making assumptions. |
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