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Want to get my FFL

player-1
Hello Everyone
I was wondering exactly what is the best way to go about getting your FFL?I live in Pennsylvania and would like to start my own gun shop.Thanks for any and all replys.

Thanks Gene
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Mooseyard
    The first step is to find a building in which to house the gun shop. You will need to make sure that their are no local laws that would prevent you from opening a gun shop at that location. Get it in writing because the ATF will need proof that the store is zoned preperly. Then go to the ATF website and order the application for an FFL, it is in the forms section of the website. Fill out the form, get your fingerprints taken and send them all in with a check to the ATF. You will also have to notify local law enforcement at this time that you intend to open a gun shop. After a while, an ATF field agent will contact you to set up an appointment to see the premises and to interview you to make sure you understand the laws and responsibilities of a dealer. Shortly after that, I think about 3 weeks you will recieve your license. I think that is everything, if I left something out please correct me.
    Jess
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  • zink
    If the building is leased/rented you'll need owners permision in writing. I got mine to sell from the house and had to show secure storage, post hours of operation and valid telephone/ID. You'll also have to send a 2'x2' picture with the application and prepare to open every aspect of your life.It still took over 6 months for me to get mine.

    Lance
    10's RULE
    [:D]
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  • nmyers
    Gene, your first step should be development of a business plan. "Getting your FFL" is way down the list of things that you must do to get into the gun business. You have to sit down & figure out the scope of your enterprise, how much money you will need to invest, where it will come from, how much your expenses will be, how much & where your income will come from, &, of course, what the governmental requirements are in your area & how you will satisfy them. You may want to see if a local college offers a course in business administration that you can take to assist you.

    You might want to consider starting off small, by operating out of your home; that will keep your initial expenses down until you can establish your business & build up customers. Once you make the leap to "stocking dealer", your expenses will increase substantially.

    Neal
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  • MFI
    Great advice MR. Myers . Also you want to make sure that your record is crystal clear because they will check everything you have done from grammar school til now.

    God gave us all a gift. Have you found yours yet ?
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  • player-1
    I would like to thank everyone for there replys.I intend to start selling out of my house on a limited schedule. I have saved a sum of money for the start up costs and am getting ready to remodel my basement into a store.I hope to be able to open by september 2005
    Thanks to all of you i can see i overlooked somethings but will
    quickly move to take care of them.

    Thanks Gene
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  • gunnut505
    Don't forget your business license from the municipality you're in!
    They want your taxes!

    If you know it all; you must have been listening.<br>WEAR EAR PROTECTION!
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  • zink
    I, along with everybodyelse (I'm sure) wish you the best of luck and if you ever need us in the future we'll be here for you. It is not all the fun and games it appears to be.

    Lance
    10's RULE
    [:D]
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  • allechalley
    You will have to check on the basement as a business location as we had a local fella who was doing similiar to what you want to do for lots of years. Besides the regular business hours and a few other things, they demanded a separate entrance accessable from the outside without going thru his home. They said it was to qualify for "business". He felt it was a way of them being able to have ready access for "smash and crash" seizure,if they felt the desire(Clinton years). Have another dealer who recently had to buy a building so he could have regular hours, even tho most of his business was at gun shows and was out of his garage. He doesn't have any good stuff at the business address and mostly mil. surplus rifles and accessories. The good and new stuff he keeps at home under his watchful eye.
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  • Red223
    If you wanted to pursue State Grants for a shooting range to accompany a shop you can get Grant information here:

    http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/


    Best of luck.

    I know many people in PA who sell from their homes, one is a game warden- he doesn't get bothered much.

    awcountdown.gifIt wasn't only the Bill Clinton Gun Ban- without Bill Ruger there would of been no ban .
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  • eastwood44mag
    Player-1,

    There's a few other things you need to know. One, get a sales tax certificate--the feds get friggin PO'd if you don't collect sales tax, and you will lose your license. Two, any screw up will lose your license (DUI = gone, no questions asked). Three, don't run it out of your house!!! If you do, law enforcement can inspect your home at any time, without a warrant, and they can inspect beyond your shop (so if you sell in the basement, thye can check your bedroom for your personal, private collection). At least with a store-front, they can only inspect your shop, but your home remains uninvaded.

    If you still want it, though, good luck!
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