Questions about paper trail for ATF (FFL)

[Adamant_Narwhal]

First off, I hope it's ok to post this since it's not technically about NFA/Class III SOT. If not, mods feel free to remove.

I'm trying to get my FFL, but I can't seem to find any regulations about operating a business out of my home (residentially zoned, I think. Don't know if there's any zoning) when I'm not within a city (I'm under Williamson County). I can't seem to find a zoning office for the county, and every department I call doesn't know. I'd love to get some feedback from anyone else who went through the process, as I know ATF likes paper trails. What do I need to show the Inspector that it's ok for me to operate a business out of my home in the county?

In a similar vein, there is a dead HOA. As in, there are rules, but no dues, officers, meetings, online presence, enforcement etc. Heck, the folks who lived here before I did ran a T-shirt printing business out of their garage, complete with a giant sign at the end of the road. Someone told me that I need a letter confirming the HOA is dead, but I'm sure no one wants to admit it.

Any advice for this as well would be appreciated, as I believe i shouldn't have any other roadblocks after these two items are dealt with.

 

[baboon]

Slick Willy added a bunch of regulations that made me give up my FFL. Do you really want BATFE coming o your house for a compliance check is the first thing to ask yourself

 

[Sam7sf]

I heard they no longer accept home ffl applications. If I'm wrong let me know please! Lol. I would much rather use my own property in the future for business.

I think hoa's are the scum of the earth. All they are for is legal loopholes to get into your business.

 

[baboon]

I heard they no longer accept home ffl applications. If I'm wrong let me know please! Lol. I would much rather use my own property in the future for business.

I think hoa's are the scum of the earth. All they are for is legal loopholes to get into your business.

You can still do it but the crap you have to do IMHO is more then I would put up with!

 

[Sam7sf]

You can still do it but the crap you have to do IMHO is more then I would put up with!

I would assume they can only visit none living areas for business?

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

Slick Willy added a bunch of regulations that made me give up my FFL. Do you really want BATFE coming o your house for a compliance check is the first thing to ask yourself

I've done a lot of digging and research, looking at my rights and the legal requirements etc. Generally, compliance checks are rare, as in once every 20 years (iirc). And unless there is a crime, they can't inspect your "place of business" except during business hours, and they can't inspect your house, just your "place of business" which can mean just your office room. While it does have a fair bit of responsibility and you need to understand the local laws and your rights, it's not likely Uncle Sam will walk over you unless there was a crime and your records aren't straight.

 

[Sam7sf]

Now the next question is can new home-based ffl's come back? Ie, if I buy land and put a shop by the house for business?

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

I heard they no longer accept home ffl applications. If I'm wrong let me know please! Lol. I would much rather use my own property in the future for business.

I think hoa's are the scum of the earth. All they are for is legal loopholes to get into your business.

Actually most FFLs are home based, I want to say 68%. BATFE doesn't care, as long as you are within local, state, and federal regulations.

(I bought one of those "guide kits", since I like to cross my T's and dot my I's, and I had a ton of questions. It was really informative and helpful, worth my money already and I haven't even sent in my application yet)

I agree, HOAs rarely work in my favor (something about having several old, non running cars and loud ones that do doesn't ever appeal to HOAs).

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

Now the next question is can new home-based ffl's come back? Ie, if I buy land and put a shop by the house for business?

Most FFLs are home based, iirc around 68%. As long as you don't violate any federal, state, or local ordinance, BATFE doesn't care.

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

I would assume they can only visit none living areas for business?

From my research, they can only inspect your "place of business": that can be restricted to your office room right next to the door. And they can only inspect during business hours: if you say your only open on Mondays from 10-4, they can't come inspect without having a warrant (which they would only need if a gun you sold was used in a crime).

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

I heard they no longer accept home ffl applications. If I'm wrong let me know please! Lol. I would much rather use my own property in the future for business.

I think hoa's are the scum of the earth. All they are for is legal loopholes to get into your business.

I do believe that at one point it was a bit of a crack down on home based FFLs, but the laws have changed and it's much easier now. You don't even need a safe, all you need are gun locks.

 

[Sam7sf]

I agree, HOAs rarely work in my favor (something about having several old, non running cars and loud ones that do doesn't ever appeal to HOAs)

It's unethical power. If the guy next door wants to make a mess of his land and it bothers me ill go face to face and offer my help. Its about control and not minding your own business. I'm a firm believer no man has a right to tell another man that his grass is an inch too tall and he should do something. As long as they aren't doing or selling drugs and are respectful and look out for each other that's all I ask in a neighborhood.

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

It's unethical power. If the guy next door wants to make a mess of his land and it bothers me ill go face to face and offer my help. Its about control and not minding your own business. I'm a firm believer no man has a right to tell another man that his grass is an inch too tall and he should do something. As long as they aren't doing or selling drugs and are respectful and look out for each other that's all I ask in a neighborhood.

I agree 100%, personal responsibility, courtesy, and PRIVACY. I don't care what you do on your property, and I certainly don't want you to fine me or tow my car because I parked it on the street or it's "unsightly". That's socialism in action, folks (sorta). If my neighbor is having issues and their house is ugly or unkept, if I care about resale value I'm not going to fine them: they probably can't pay anyway, then they'll go to jail, the property will be abandoned for a while and nothing good will come of it. If I'm a decent person and I want to raise the resale value of my house, I'll offer to help them with some work, be it mowing their yard, painting the house, etc. Sure, it requires EFFORT, but it's better than having a sword leveled at all your neighbors if they so much as let their lawn get to tall.

 

[Renegade]

I'd love to get some feedback from anyone else who went through the process, as I know ATF likes paper trails. What do I need to show the Inspector that it's ok for me to operate a business out of my home in the county?

I just told them I was unincorporated and there was no regulations. The ATF lady seemed to know this, as I am not the only FFL in the county. It was no big deal.

 

[Renegade]

I heard they no longer accept home ffl applications. If I'm wrong let me know please! Lol. I would much rather use my own property in the future for business.

You're wrong.

 

[Adamant_Narwhal]

I just told them I was unincorporated and there was no regulations. The ATF lady seemed to know this, as I am not the only FFL in the county. It was no big deal.

Great, thanks for replying. I haven't dealt with the atf excpex for a couple of phone calls, I didn't know what they would want to see.

 

[Sam7sf]

You're wrong.

I'm excited to be wrong. Do you have any links you can post that? Do you have a recent home ffl?

 

[Renegade]

I'm excited to be wrong. Do you have any links you can post that? Do you have a recent home ffl?

I cannot link to something that does not exist.

I have had FFL for 2 decades now. Technically it is a shop on my ranch, not my actual house. But legally it is the same address.

 

[Sam7sf]

I cannot link to something that does not exist.

I have had FFL for 2 decades now. Technically it is a shop on my ranch, not my actual house. But legally it is the same address.

Awesome. That's what I want to do. Get some land and put a large shop on it.

So I remember in 2016 rumor was going around.
For example:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...l-no-new-licenses-distributors-stop-shipping/

I even had people close to me in the industry fuel the gossip. So if op gets approved I'm going to be so excited.

 

[Renegade]

So I remember in 2016 rumor was going around.
For example:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...l-no-new-licenses-distributors-stop-shipping/

That website puts out more incorrect info than any other I know of wrt to guns.