Posted: 3/17/2015 6:55:22 PM EDT
|
Hi folks I'm new here on this site... so bear with me please... I'm not new to weapons and so on... but I am very interested in getting my ffl so that i can so a small business from my home... I am disabled due to a crash so I do not have a shop at this time... I have read where there 'is help' to get you your FFL for home use of course for a price... this often spooks me and or if it is legit... So any input or insight and direction would be greatly appreciated.... I definitely would love to build up a business so that i can have a shop... those are some long term goals or shorter if i can make it happen... Thanks very much to all of you... for any and all input in advance...
Scott |
|
I had a home based FFL (2007-2010), your main concern is just getting a business license and the proper zoning. 1. Go get a city/state business license. 2. Pay your taxes and fees. 3. Apply for the FFL. They're pretty much a shall issue license, as long as you have the proper permits and licenses to run a business out of your house and can pass a background check then you'll get the FFL. The only other consideration is the maintenance on it, renewals and inspections etc.. but if you're small time they probably won't harass you too much. |
|
Quoted:
The ATF used to be pretty shitty about granting an FFL in the home. I don't know about lately. The hard part is getting you home zoned for running a business. If you live rural outside city limits this probably won't be a problem. I know several guys around here that have FFL's out of their homes, it's doable if you jump through the hoops. |
|
Quoted: The hard part is getting you home zoned for running a business. If you live rural outside city limits this probably won't be a problem. I know several guys around here that have FFL's out of their homes, it's doable if you jump through the hoops. Quoted: Quoted: The ATF used to be pretty shitty about granting an FFL in the home. I don't know about lately. The hard part is getting you home zoned for running a business. If you live rural outside city limits this probably won't be a problem. I know several guys around here that have FFL's out of their homes, it's doable if you jump through the hoops. With my FFL I wasn't allowed to have any foot traffic, it had to be 100% online sales through common carriers. The zoning guy even threatened that if I had any 4473's with my home address on them as the transfer location that he would pull my permits. ETA, just to add I had: 1. The city business permits (they had to issue it as a home based business) 2. Zoning for home business (Home business allowed but no foot traffic or customers to the house) 3. HOA signoff (I was allowed to run a home business, same foot traffic rules applied) 4. ATF sign off (once I got all of the other approvals, they couldn't legally turn me down) |
|
I have a Type 07 Manufacturer.
There is no requirement to hae a storefront, so, you have a little more leeway. But as someone said, you need to be sure that running a business from home is kosher with the neighborhood rules and regs. Oh, and it DOES have to be a business, you cannot do it just to purchase guns and accessories at a dealer cost for yourself. And don't forget, it allows the BATFE to walk in your home anytime they want to even though they typically are very nice about setting up appointments. |
|
Quoted:
With my FFL I wasn't allowed to have any foot traffic, it had to be 100% online sales through common carriers. The zoning guy even threatened that if I had any 4473's with my home address on them as the transfer location that he would pull my permits. ETA, just to add I had: 1. The city business permits (they had to issue it as a home based business) 2. Zoning for home business (Home business allowed but no foot traffic or customers to the house) 3. HOA signoff (I was allowed to run a home business, same foot traffic rules applied) 4. ATF sign off (once I got all of the other approvals, they couldn't legally turn me down) Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The ATF used to be pretty shitty about granting an FFL in the home. I don't know about lately. The hard part is getting you home zoned for running a business. If you live rural outside city limits this probably won't be a problem. I know several guys around here that have FFL's out of their homes, it's doable if you jump through the hoops. With my FFL I wasn't allowed to have any foot traffic, it had to be 100% online sales through common carriers. The zoning guy even threatened that if I had any 4473's with my home address on them as the transfer location that he would pull my permits. ETA, just to add I had: 1. The city business permits (they had to issue it as a home based business) 2. Zoning for home business (Home business allowed but no foot traffic or customers to the house) 3. HOA signoff (I was allowed to run a home business, same foot traffic rules applied) 4. ATF sign off (once I got all of the other approvals, they couldn't legally turn me down) This basically. I tried to get mine years ago. The biggest obstacle was the city business license. The non informed idiot tried to tell me that I can't sell guns from home. If I had pushed it I could have gotten it done. But I lived literally across the street from a public school for the disabled. That probably would have shot me down. |
|
Broken wing... I have a home-based 01 FFL, and help people interested in trying this with understanding the requirements and process for... Free.
Email me a number where I can call you and I'll gladly share my knowledge and experience. Also, most of the other posters are giving good information, just not everything you'll need to know, which is kinda impossible in a forum posting. |
|
Quoted:
Hi folks I'm new here on this site... so bear with me please... I'm not new to weapons and so on... but I am very interested in getting my ffl so that i can so a small business from my home... I am disabled due to a crash so I do not have a shop at this time... I have read where there 'is help' to get you your FFL for home use of course for a price... this often spooks me and or if it is legit... So any input or insight and direction would be greatly appreciated.... I definitely would love to build up a business so that i can have a shop... those are some long term goals or shorter if i can make it happen... Thanks very much to all of you... for any and all input in advance... Scott http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_6/44_FFL_Discussions.html This is the section of the board you'll want to check out for answers |
|
Quoted:
It's really overrated. 
Quoted:
Quoted:
Man, I'd love to do this It's really overrated.
There's a ton of "fringe benefits" to having an FFL here behind enemy lines. It effectively exempts you from the AWB and 15rd mag limit, and FFL's can even possess MG's out here. |
|
Quoted:
Getting the ATF to approve your application is actually easier than getting most distributors to sell you guns. This is the problem I hear most from home based FFL's. Many distributors won't deal with home based dealers. Had a buddy that couldn't get an account setup from anybody until he had some inventory but nobody would sell him any inventory. You also aren't eligible for some dealer programs like Glock. |
|
Quoted: This is the problem I hear most from home based FFL's. Many distributors won't deal with home based dealers. Had a buddy that couldn't get an account setup from anybody until he had some inventory but nobody would sell him any inventory. You also aren't eligible for some dealer programs like Glock. Quoted: Quoted: Getting the ATF to approve your application is actually easier than getting most distributors to sell you guns. This is the problem I hear most from home based FFL's. Many distributors won't deal with home based dealers. Had a buddy that couldn't get an account setup from anybody until he had some inventory but nobody would sell him any inventory. You also aren't eligible for some dealer programs like Glock. I really didn't have any problems, a simple fax or email and my account was setup and ready to order. The problem was that most of the bigger ones wanted big initial orders, most others will send you whatever whenever. |
OP - you might also try asking this in the FFL Discussions Forum over in the Armory tech forum
|
|
Quoted:
I had blown off this is=dea because I thought it was darn near impossible now, but this thread is making think about reconsidering. It is very doable, but, don't think that you'll be able to compete on gun sales as the big guys by at volume. Your margins will be well below 30% which is what you need to really make a profit. |
|
I had my FFL for 10 years, getting rid of it in '07.
I had it in 2 different cities and neither city knew anything about it. I applied for it and received it from the ATF and never had another encounter with them. I ran a good, legitimate business out of my homes for those 10 years. It is way easier then you think. Just apply for your FFL and don't have any contact with your local city. It was a nice cash cow for years. I sold for no profit just to fuck the local crook who owned the LGS and because of my prices and willingness to be open any time, my customers gave me nice tips. I live a few miles from my Dad now and he has had an FFL for years so I use him now. |
|
Quoted:
I had my FFL for 10 years, getting rid of it in '07. I had it in 2 different cities and neither city knew anything about it. I applied for it and received it from the ATF and never had another encounter with them. I ran a good, legitimate business out of my homes for those 10 years. I take it you got out before you had to be OK with any local zoning rules |
|
Quoted:
I take it you got out before you had to be OK with any local zoning rules Quoted:
Quoted:
I had my FFL for 10 years, getting rid of it in '07. I had it in 2 different cities and neither city knew anything about it. I applied for it and received it from the ATF and never had another encounter with them. I ran a good, legitimate business out of my homes for those 10 years. I take it you got out before you had to be OK with any local zoning rules I have no idea, I never asked shit about zoning. My house, my fucking business, no one else's. No business license equaled no tax collection. The ATF doesn't ask that stuff, they just issue a license. |
|
Quoted: I have no idea, I never asked shit about zoning. My house, my fucking business, no one else's. No business license equaled no tax collection. The ATF doesn't ask that stuff, they just issue a license. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I had my FFL for 10 years, getting rid of it in '07. I had it in 2 different cities and neither city knew anything about it. I applied for it and received it from the ATF and never had another encounter with them. I ran a good, legitimate business out of my homes for those 10 years. I take it you got out before you had to be OK with any local zoning rules I have no idea, I never asked shit about zoning. My house, my fucking business, no one else's. No business license equaled no tax collection. The ATF doesn't ask that stuff, they just issue a license. I think it was the late 90's (Clinton & Reno) when they really started cracking down on the proper licensing and kitchen table FFL's. So you probably got in (1997) right before they started checking for paperwork. |
|
Quoted:
I have no idea, I never asked shit about zoning. My house, my fucking business, no one else's. No business license equaled no tax collection. The ATF doesn't ask that stuff, they just issue a license. Actually, they do. You can't get an FFL now without being compliant with local zoning laws When I moved my FFL last year the compliance inspector spoke to the local zoning guy and needed a compliance letter. For at least the last decade they've asked about zoning on renewal applications Did the state you were running in have a state sales tax? if so, you weren't legally operating a business as you said you were earlier |
|
Quoted: With my FFL I wasn't allowed to have any foot traffic, it had to be 100% online sales through common carriers. The zoning guy even threatened that if I had any 4473's with my home address on them as the transfer location that he would pull my permits. ETA, just to add I had: 1. The city business permits (they had to issue it as a home based business) 2. Zoning for home business (Home business allowed but no foot traffic or customers to the house) 3. HOA signoff (I was allowed to run a home business, same foot traffic rules applied) 4. ATF sign off (once I got all of the other approvals, they couldn't legally turn me down) So... where did you do business at, if you couldn't do it at your house? |
|
Quoted: So... where did you do business at, if you couldn't do it at your house? Quoted: Quoted: With my FFL I wasn't allowed to have any foot traffic, it had to be 100% online sales through common carriers. The zoning guy even threatened that if I had any 4473's with my home address on them as the transfer location that he would pull my permits. ETA, just to add I had: 1. The city business permits (they had to issue it as a home based business) 2. Zoning for home business (Home business allowed but no foot traffic or customers to the house) 3. HOA signoff (I was allowed to run a home business, same foot traffic rules applied) 4. ATF sign off (once I got all of the other approvals, they couldn't legally turn me down) So... where did you do business at, if you couldn't do it at your house? I did mail order at my house, it had to be strictly FFL to FFL deals. I would order from the dealer and post it online somewhere like Gunbroker or a forum, someone from out of state had to buy it and I would ship directly to their dealer. The real money was in accessories like stocks and grips, the Magpul CTR was big back in the day too. The trick was to get the FFL so distributors would treat you better than some schmuck who only had a business license. |
|
Lots of unappreciated downsides to a home-based FFL. I had one for a number of years. Crossed all the "t's" and dotted all the "i's" -- local zoning, local business license, state sales tax number, IRS EIN, Schedule C and Schedule SE filings, FFL, SOT, etc., etc. Finally I realized the downsides just weren't worth it. One of the worst things was opening my home to an unknown clientele (although I did try to screen my customers).
|
Hi Folks thanks So much for your information... I'll surely look into everything y'all have mentioned...