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Posted: 12/23/2014 6:15:27 PM EDT
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Im about to go back into the Army and I wanted to know what happens to an FFL if the business has to move every few years (probably across state lines)?
Do you just notify ATF that you moved (like with SBRs) or do you have to get a new license/pay fees...etc? |
| Unless you're an E9 or a field grade, or going to have your spouse run the show I see major issues. You're going to run into zoning, banking, inventory, business license, customer service issues. I also believe that the installation commander has to bless off on it. |
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Unless you're an E9 or a field grade, or going to have your spouse run the show I see major issues. You're going to run into zoning, banking, inventory, business license, customer service issues. I also believe that the installation commander has to bless off on it. I dont think he is planning on having it on post, just the interstate address changes. |
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I dont think he is planning on having it on post, just the interstate address changes. Quoted:
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Unless you're an E9 or a field grade, or going to have your spouse run the show I see major issues. You're going to run into zoning, banking, inventory, business license, customer service issues. I also believe that the installation commander has to bless off on it. I dont think he is planning on having it on post, just the interstate address changes. Even off installation you still belong to the man. I remember one of the first questions my IOI asked me was "I saw your truck outside, are you active duty? No. Good." |
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I know that active duty has to have their commander approve any secondary work/revenue stream (for the service member). As long as I have all my ducks in a row as far as being licensed and doing my homework, I dont see them giving me much grief unless we are about to deploy.
I could always tell them (my unit) my wife runs it and I just sign for packages lol As far as customer service issues, I dont see how that would be too much of a PITA. Yes it could happen that I get called to head back in the middle of a transfer. If that happens, "I had to wait for the wife to get back to the house to watch the kids before I could leave, SGT but Ill head over ASAP". My business plan is to work after hours and on saturdays, with people calling ahead to confirm I will be available before coming by. And knowing how shifts sometimes get extended, I wont tell people Im available until I am already home, no 'Ill be there in 15' from the company parking lot cuz I know from experience how that can go. Being as Ill be stationed in army towns, I dont think my hours will offend too many people as Im doing this to primarily deal to other troops who live the same lifestyle, though as long as they dont mind my business model Ill gladly do business with anyone who can pass a background check. |
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Zoning and state business licensing issues will be your biggest hurdles if you get orders to move every few years. You will have to make sure that your new residence has nothing in either the zoning ordinances or HOA CCR's that prohibit a home-based business. If you rent a home your landlord will also have to sign off on you running the business out of it.
You will have to shut down the business in your old state and re-register/re-open in your new state. While the business registration fees in some states are pretty low - in WV we only pay $50/yr to maintain the LLC - other states will bend you over on those fees. |
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Zoning and state business licensing issues will be your biggest hurdles if you get orders to move every few years. You will have to make sure that your new residence has nothing in either the zoning ordinances or HOA CCR's that prohibit a home-based business. If you rent a home your landlord will also have to sign off on you running the business out of it. You will have to shut down the business in your old state and re-register/re-open in your new state. While the business registration fees in some states are pretty low - in WV we only pay $50/yr to maintain the LLC - other states will bend you over on those fees. Man WV is nice! Ya I plan on living out in the sticks which shouldn't be too hard since the Army likes to put most bases in total dumps. If I have to commute some in order to get out of city limits, thats fine with me. Actually thats ideal for me even if I wasn't trying to get an FFL. I will never buy in a HOA and I plan on asking about home run businesses with rental companies before I move in. I didn't even think about LLC fees but you are right, thanks for the warning. Definitely something for me to consider. |
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Have you thought about PCS orders to OCONUS or areas where your inventory would be illegal? I dont plan on having an inventory, I would just deal with internet orders and be the local guys' FFL to pickup their guns. As far as my guns, Ill leave them with family if/when I go OCONUS. |
| I don't have much to add to the response other than my own experiences. I am active guard and reserve, I had my license when I rejoined. I did not keep much inventory for long mostly ordered for people with a low trnasfer fee and mild smithing. Even then after my second deployment the ATF was pressuring me to give it up. I never moved just deployed for year year and a half at a time. They don't like that apparently. May have been just the local ones. Never had a violation nor did I ever leave behind any inventory while I was gone. |
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