FFL & Home based business

[PWF3]

I was thinking about getting the appropriate FFL so my son and I could buy and sell guns to make some extra money. Kind of a small home-based business type thing. But I feel the need to get some advice first: What "gotchas" am I not seeing here? and my biggest question is: "How do you find a good wholesaler?"

Couldn't find much on-line so I thought someone here could help.
Thanks in advance.

 

[JKTex]

I think current requirements include having a brick and mortar store. Or maybe they just make it tougher if you don't have one??

But the BATF web site should steer you in the right direction in regards to what they require.

I think as a business, it's tough as I don't think there's a lot of margin unless you're a preferred dealer such as a Kimber Master Dealer, but you have to keep up a certain level of sales.

 

[DirtyD]

CDNN is a wholesaler, the problem is they will sell to ANY one.... you just have to have it shipped to an FFL....

 

[mac79912]

Southern Ohio Gun,RSR and Ellet Brothers are who I deal with.Do not expect to get a license fast as the process can take months to get approved.

 

[txinvestigator]

No B&M store is required. You will need a room dedicated to the operation of the business....Kitchen table operations are no longer approved.

When my friend set his up in 2007, the ATF was helpful and helped him expedite the process as much as possible.

 

[drj3828]

Last time I checked into it you had to have a building separate from your dwelling(house) and had to advertise in two forms newspaper yellow pages internet. And also post a business sign at the location, this was about two years ago. I am sure things have changed in two years though. best to contact the BATF for the correct answers.
DRJ

 

[txinvestigator]

Last time I checked into it you had to have a building separate from your dwelling(house) and had to advertise in two forms newspaper yellow pages internet. And also post a business sign at the location, this was about two years ago. I am sure things have changed in two years though. best to contact the BATF for the correct answers.
DRJ

Nope.

 

[CowDog]

Them Clinton horsepatoots reported private FFLs to local authorities in cities, to get them in trouble with zoning ordinances controlling businesses in residential areas. No matter which one gets elected this time, it doesn't look good for guns, private FFLs, or anything else. Get the lowdown from the BATF and figure out what you can do. If you get forced out, you're still stuck with making copies of everything you did and sending it to BATF, and then keeping records for five years, and being on their list of folks whose house they can enter at anytime day or night for inspection, at any BATF whim. BATF is likely to get a lot of whims in the next few years.cd

 

[txinvestigator]

, and being on their list of folks whose house they can enter at anytime day or night for inspection, at any BATF whim.

Completely untrue

 

[springmom]

One thing....if you live in a neighborhood with deed restrictions, check those carefully. If there are restrictions on running a business from your home, ATF will not grant the FFL. I thought about this, as it would be ideal for me; but our neighborhood has such a restriction. Mind you, it's ignored by several folks, including my neighbor two doors down who runs a TRUCKING business out of his driveway (one truck only, thank heaven, but he's not subtle about it...he carries oil rig parts around on it!). But they will see that as a local ordinance that says you can't do it.

For a state that's as big on property rights as we are, how those bloody HOA's and deed restrictions EVER got the foothold they have, I'll never understand. But that's a different topic altogether.

Springmom