Me and my buddy were thinking of getting a FFL Lic. and starting up a small "home based" shop. I already did my research as far as what you need to get an FFL license, the question I have is this. How does a new FFL dealer find distributors to buy from? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Related posts:
- When is a person required to have a firearms dealer license?
- how does ordering from a ffl dealer work?
- Comanche 357 mag for ffl dealer price?
- Does anyone know of an FFL Liscenced gun dealer in Howard County, MD?
- Gun Store Dealer – Requirements?
- Is true that with a WA state concealed pistol license the FFL dealer is not required to run you through NCIS?
- Do I need a license to own a Stag arms gun?
- Should individuals on the terrorist watch list be allowed to purchase fire arms and explosives?
- is a license required to buy sporting arms at big 5?
- I'm trying to become a federal firearms license dealer, any suggestions?
There’s really not that many. You send off your signed ffl for their records and open an account with them, in your case they will want a credit card on file.
Send me an email and I’ll share my list. I can’t contact you via your profile as you have it turned off.
My understanding is that the BATF is really curtailing new ffls for home-based dealers, prefering the brick-and-mortar businesses. This may or may not be the case, just rumors I’ve heard. Good Luck!
You own commercial property? huh, go figure.
What level of volume can you commit to? "Home based" isn’t gonna get you very much of a reselling discount.
Based on what you said, you should probably keep it simple at first and get a C&R and procure slowly until you do make those connections and can commit to the volume it would take for them to find you out.
But what the hell do I know. I only do contract analysis.
i agree with the1st answer
As a Dealer myself for 28+ years I have to tell you right off that BATFE no longer issues FFL’s to home based businesses.There are NO EXCEPTIONS… You need a commercial location with set hours, liability insurance,and Federal and State approval of your business location, and meet or exceed the other compliance requirements to obtain ANY FFL license. I would also recommend you and your friend incorporate.
As far as the Distributors are concerned, if you are starting out, Distributors will sell to you wholesale, but these days without a line of credit from an established bank or a lot of cash, you can figure on paying as you go and in a few cases until you are "established" you might get C.O.D. delivery. You will have to start at the bottom and work up until you have been in business long enough to have a paper trail of successful wholesale purchases..Then and only then will Distributors give you terms and a limited credit line to purchase firearms, ammunition etc….
NOTE* A C&R license is issued to an "individual" to collect C&R listed firearms.It is not in any way to be confused with a Dealers license in ANY respect………
I would have to add that I do not think you will get very much business from your home you will be better of on a main street
The BATF will say what we have all said. For a business of any kind there are three things wrong here. Location Location Location
BATF Rules have changed a lot, and you have to have a real place of business to get an FFL today, and it cost way way more than the original $10. Even people with intentions of opening up a real gun shop have big hurdles to get he FFL. Forget this idea.
You can still get your FFL just got mine” but if you plan to make some real money your ultimate goal should be to get a store front. Don’t listen to all the YAHOOS” do your home work as i did!!!!!
What everyone is saying regarding obtaining your FFL at your home is a load of %#@$!!! I just got mine 4 days ago and everything went smooth. You will have to get approval from the county or town you live in to conduct “retail” sales out of a residence. It does not matter if it is online sales or front door sales, you must qualify for a business license out of the house. This is a principle requirement with the ATF. The other is that you cannot be within a quarter mile from a school. So, to recap. You must establish a legitimate business with a federal EIN number. You need a county or town retail license and not be next to a school.
That is the easy part. The hard part is to get major manufacturers to sell to you without a brick and mortar store. Most require you to have a storefront and you must prove it to them (pictures, address, etc.). You can get accounts from other distributors but you will not be able to buy direct from the manufacturer. Also, most distributors will ask you to sign a letter of commitment to a certain dollar purchase within a year. Most I have found are between 15k and 25k. Cash is king if you have it. I will keep you up to date on my progress.
I just have to say I just got my FFL AT HOME. You DO NOT have to have a store front anyone who tells you that lies. You do have to comply with your local zoning ordinances, but I just went down to city hall and asked for a zoning release for a home based business. Didn’t cost me a dime, just the time and effort to ask for it. Most cities will issue a zoning release as long as you comply to their home business ordinances. The IOIs that came to my home made it very clear that is was perfectly legal to have a home based FFL. They will want the zoning release from the city, but as long as you meet the criteria the ATF has set forth they are REQUIRED by LAW to issue your FFL. If when they come and do your yearly inspection it does not apppear that you are “engaged in the business” they will revoke your license. The IOIs told me just to make sure I make some sales and that they are not all to the same two or three people. They were very friendly and said when they left to expect my FFL in 3 weeks or less. Just follow the procedures and comply with your state and local laws. Most FFLs that are declined are due to the applicant not followingstate or local laws. Again, as long as you meet the criteria the ATF is required to issue your license. If you don’t believe me read the law. It’s very straight forward.
People who say you cannot get your FFL’s from home are full of shit. I just got mine last week. People saying you can’t get them from home are pissed cause they want to feel special like they are the only ones who can get these type of license. Even here locally where I live there are a few people who operate out of their homes and those dumbasses tell other people you can’t get them out of your home any more knowing damn well they are lieing.
I don’t know about anywhere else in the country, but around here the people who have either a gun shop or operate out of their home are all a bunch of assholes and I never bought one gun from either of them. When you would go in to one of the shops they all would act like you were bothering them, and they didn’t want to deal with you because you were not one of the regulars. I hope they all lose their ass!!