Federal Firearms License (FFL) – Application & Requirements

What is the FFL License?

A FFL License is an abbreviated word for Federal Firearm License that the U.S Government needs to issue to any individual or company that is involved in any business with regard to selling firearms. The holders of this license must also provide services such as ‘transfer’ of firearms for those who buy firearms from elsewhere but have it shipped to a local area FFL holder; to in turn be transferred to the one who bought it.

Is buying firearm over mail order or Internet legal?

It is very much legal, the only criteria being that law demands the firearms to be transferred to the individual who buys it by a dealer who possesses a FFL License. That is a major reason that all the firearms are first shipped to the dealer and then the consumer can get it transferred rather than shipping it directly to the consumer.

Why the need of FFL License signed copy before the mail order or Internet purchase is shipped?

It is necessary to have a FFL License photocopy that has the signature in original ink as that would confirm that the destination that the firearm is being sent to by shipping is same as that on the license. This particular rule helps in preventing any fraud of any kind and lawful delivery of firearm is ensured. The FFL copy sent must be a current one and the license holder would be checked for in the BAFT’s online current database of valid FFL holders. This ensures that no underage, prohibitive person or criminal gets a firearm.

How to find a FFL License holder that can help with the transfer of your purchase?

More often than not your pawn and gun local shop has a FFL license issued and would help you with the transfer by charging a small fee. If you know an individual who holds a FFL license, he could do the same for you too. Transfers are a good way to make a few extra bucks for the local FFL with no hassle of inventory. Internet research might also help to locate a local FFL transfer dealer.

Is it possible to provide background information on the phone before one pick up a firearm?

No the above is not possible. The law states that an individual needs to fill the paperwork that is the ATF yellow sheet in front of the FFL license holder. The FBI and NICS would do the checking for the background information when the yellow sheet is filled.

How to Apply for a Federal Firearms License?

It is always preferable to go through a government procedure when you want to buy a firearm; if you don’t you might be violating a law and would be put behind bars for the same. An individual may not realize but the fact the permit or Federal Firearms License is needed is because the rights are being narrowed down and restricted.

Let’s make this clear that the initial step when one needs to own a gun is the permission from the government. Whether you are to start a business or you are buying a single gun, make sure to submit the application to the federal firearms department. If you think selling guns in bulk or just a few of them would make good business, the very first step is to submit the application for the Federal Firearms License. You could carry this business out from home once the license is done, as it would be considered legal.

In today’s dearth of political climate we need restriction and regular check up on gun ownerships and usage. A lot of areas have really long procedures to give approval for a permit. If there is even a slight error in the application you submit, it would mean you have to start again from a scratch. These procedures are made long on purpose as the Federal Firearms License department hopes a lot of people would give up the hope and just not apply again.

When one completes the License Application formality, then the individual could get through any red tape in the future with ease also he is eligible to start a legal firearms small business operating from home. The procedure is neither difficult nor hard; in fact could be profitable. The most authentic part of the business would be that it is legal.

If you cut through the red tape all by yourself after completing the application successfully, it would lead to positive success. One must find his way out of the red tape procedure along with the paper work that would be some to-dos on the road of submitting the federal firearms license application successfully. The savings you make would be large; while the cost is quite nominal.

Once you complete the Federal Firearms Application successfully, it could mean a good start to a part time business or also the beginning of a good hobby or may be mean a full time profitable business.

When you research initially, obtaining a federal firearms license (FFL) in place might seem completely out of your reach; although that is not true. The procedure is simple to apply for the FFL license till the point you follow the instructions without mistakes to fill the application.

There is a list of prerequisites to obtain the license. Some of the common requirements need to be met in front of the bureau of tobacco, alcohol, explosive and firearms or the A.T.F; only then would they consider sanctioning your application. The one’s you read about are the primary prerequisites; however there are a number of other additional list of requirements one needs to meet to get the license.  These would get the federal firearms license application approved for you.

The initial step to obtain the license is to fill the application form completely; which could vary from the A.T.F form no. 7 that is application for the gun dealers license; while the other is form 7CR of the A.T.F which is the application for the gum collectors. The application you choose depends on the reason you want the arms for. If this is for business, you need to opt for form 7 from A.T.D and if you just want to become a collector for antique firearms, you could opt for 7CR.

Once you are done with the complete application, you would have to submit it to the local A.T.F office located in your vicinity. When you submit the application, you might be asked to pay the application fee for the same. It would surely take a couple of weeks for you to know whether the application has been denied or approved.

Only when you apply for single location there are high chances that your Federal Firearms License gets approved. Before you apply for the license you have to notify the local chief in the law enforcement department that of your area about the application. The application would stand denied without the notification to the local chief.

The only hitch is that you might find it difficult to find a place that is secured enough to conduct the business. Not having a secured place is one of the major drawbacks as A.T.F could deny the license; also you need to search for a place that is secured to store the firearms. Before you apply for the Federal Firearms License make sure you have a storage place planned; you probably can not have guns lying around.

Below are some important tips one must consider before you fill the application for your Federal Firearms License:

1. You must be eligible – There are a few things one needs to consider before filling the application. The most basic requirement is that your age must be twenty-one or above. You must have the criminal record, which permits you the use or selling of ammunitions and guns. In case you are not a citizen of the US, at least need to be the legal immigrant of the US. Your mental health tests must give a clean record. In case you are discharged from the military, only for honorable reasons it would be allowed.
2. Filling the application correctly – While filling in the details on the application, make sure that the information being provided is not just accurate but current. It is a really bad idea to put any information that is a lie on the Federal Firearms License application. If you fail in providing correct information, your application has high chances of being rejected. The situation could get worse if you provide information on the application that can be questioned; this might result in the authorities initiating police investigation. You could opt for a kit that is readily available in the market that guides you and explains how each section in the contract works and what it means; if the kit doesn’t seem a good idea, you could also research on the Internet.
3. Getting the additional material required in place – In addition to the accurately filled Federal Firearms License application, you would also have to include a few things like photograph of you and also a set of your fingerprints. You can’t do this at home, you have to contact a near by police station and they would help you with this.
4. Add the mandatory fee – You require paying a fee along with the application. The fee does vary keeping into account what business you are looking at. You could search online and know the current fee requirements for pawnbrokers, gun manufacturers, gun collectors, importers and so on.
5. Business information must always be archived – Once the application is accepted, it would be valid for a period of three years. You must keep a record of all the business transactions you make during this period. You would pay taxes depending on the income you generate. Renewing of the license would also mean paying extra fees.

You could become a Federal Firearms License (FFL) Holder in about three steps. This would help you to build a thriving business where you would be a gun dealer. However, there are a few important and detailed things you need to make sure are fulfilled, these things are mentioned below:

Step1 – Meeting the basic requirements for the application that are:

• Age bar – 21 years and above
• You must have not committed any crime, fugitive, no trace of using controlled substances, no mental patient, no illegal alien, not having a dishonorable charge, or possess any court order of restraining.
• You shouldn’t have violated any regulation or law pertaining to federal firearms.
• You must not fail to provide or withheld any information required by the application and neither make false statements while filling the application.
• You must have a premise like at office or at home that would help you conduct business from.

One must certify while filling the application that he or she would not conduct business unless following the local and state laws. Along with this you would need to bring to notice of the law enforcement the fact that you would be applying for Federal Firearms License holder.

Step 2 – Obtaining Proper Forms

You require filling the ATF that is Form7. This Federal Firearms License (FFL) application is available at any distribution center or you could also call them and request for a packet to be sent across. The form is only available when proper cards fingerprint is provided. These forms are not available online for downloads. If you order the packet, it would be sent to you by U.S mail.

Step 3 – Submitting your Application

As stated in the NRA Fact Sheets one has to submit the application completely filled to the BATFE regional workstation. This would mean submitting the form along with photograph fees and fingerprints. You could also mail the complete packet to them at their office. You could ask them any queries by calling them on 404-417-2750. It would take around 60 days for the BATFE to decide whether they reject or approve your Federal Firearms License holder application.

When you are dealing with a government body; it is advisable to get your homework done right and have a list of requirements in place beforehand. It is always good to be safe and not get the application rejected or delayed.