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Good advice. I do know 2 homebased FFL's in a neighboring county that I will chat with. Posting here seemed like a good place to get input from all over. While looking into it, the most troublesome thing I've found it what you said, those log books better be spotless.There's an old story dealing with business advice, I remember seeing it in "Gunsmith's Kinks Vol II" from Brownells around 40 years ago, about how you shouldn't listen to those that did what you want to do and failed, you should talk to those that are doing what you want to do and succeeding.
In general I believe that to be good advise, but in this case I think you might be well served to see if you can find anyone in your area that used to have a homebased FFL and talk to them about why they closed. I say this because the rules for doing what you want to do have been changing over the last decade or so (and no, not just under Bidan) and they might have a different perspective on what can go wrong
Also keep DANG good records!!! Like so clean you could eat off them sort of records, because that seems to be the trouble spot these days
Thanks for all the tips, I will shoot you a message when I have some free time today. When you say unannounced deliveries, I assume you mean a customer that orders a firearm and has it shipped to you without arranging it with you first?My personal experience from when I was operating out of my apartment:
It was fun. I enjoyed having something productive to do in my free time that was based around my hobby. Any money I made would be sunk back into my personal collection, and I'd end up keeping a lot of my inventory. This could be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. Have an idea going into it with how you are going to realistically deal with selling cool guns that you might like to keep.
There were frustrating parts. Paperwork sucks, of course. Dealing with the ATF is always scary. Customers can be hit or miss, like anything. Prepare to deal with flakers and scammers. Also be prepared to invite some... well, weird people into your house. It's difficult to screen those out.
Big peeve of mine was unannounced deliveries. If you aren't at home when the deliveryman comes, you usually have to go pick up the package the next day. So there goes however much time it takes you to drive to UPS/USPS/Fedex/whatever and then back. And then you have to get ahold of the buyer, which can sometimes be a challenge. You are also in charge of holding their firearm in inventory until they come to pick it up, and then however many days it takes for the BGC to clear (unless you are willing to do 5 day transfers). And then you have to set time aside for two visits from that same customer. So it ends up being a lot of work for.... what are you going to charge? $25? Better have that figured out... I started charging an extra $10 if the delivery was unannounced.
Even if I was expecting a delivery, I found that made me not want to leave my apartment until the gun was delivered. Bummer if I had plans for the day.
Your name, address, and business name will be publicly available. This can be disconcerting.
You get to sign up for dealer accounts with many online stores, so make sure you take advantage of that.
The ATF will check that you have all your business licensing taken care of. For some, this is a challenge. See if you are in need of a Home Occupation Permit in your county if you haven't already.
I never set up a booth at a gunshow, but I attended the Portland ones often. I found good deals frequently, and most sellers are willing to take some off the price because you are an easy customer (no BGC).
Good luck. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Yes, curious as well...What do you mean by "traveling transfers"?
My first thought would be doing transfers in between my home and work so it doesn't take me too far off course but still be able to make a few bucks in the processWhat do you mean by "traveling transfers"?
Ahh, makes sense.My first thought would be doing transfers in between my home and work so it doesn't take me too far off course but still be able to make a few bucks in the process
Correct. Some gun websites will just advertise you as an FFL, which is a curse and a blessing. So every once in a while, a gun would just show up at my doorstep with a name and phone number to call. It took some gettting used to.Thanks for all the tips, I will shoot you a message when I have some free time today. When you say unannounced deliveries, I assume you mean a customer that orders a firearm and has it shipped to you without arranging it with you first?
Because of the nature of a firearms business, and the current heavy-handed enforcement, I would vet each part of your business plan against the ATF's regulations. Look before you leap. This is not an area where I would count on OJT.My first thought would be doing transfers in between my home and work so it doesn't take me too far off course but still be able to make a few bucks in the process
Back around 1983 or so I worked at a small gun shop in north Phoenix AZ and one morning right when we unlocked the door a guy ran in with a coffee can, dropped it on the counter and said "I couldn't get it back together, my cards in there and I'll be back this afternoon to pick it up" and than ran out the door before we could say anythingCorrect. Some gun websites will just advertise you as an FFL, which is a curse and a blessing. So every once in a while, a gun would just show up at my doorstep with a name and phone number to call. It took some gettting used to.
Take one apart for the first time. It'll do that to you.Back around 1983 or so I worked at a small gun shop in north Phoenix AZ and one morning right when we unlocked the door a guy ran in with a coffee can, dropped it on the counter and said "I couldn't get it back together, my cards in there and I'll be back this afternoon to pick it up" and than ran out the door before we could say anything
In the can was a Colt SAA stripped down to the last screw and card for a local attorney. We all just stared at it and the owner said "Dang if I'm going get my fingerprints on that!" Picked the can up with some pliers, put it in the safe and called the local ATF I think it took about a week before he gave it back to the guy and no, we did not reassemble it for him