Home FFL.....

• Jan 30, 2010

• #1

ar15dave

AR15Dave

Jun 10, 2008

2,226

Monrovia, MD

Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but here we go.

If I wanted to become a Home FFL dealer, what would I have to do? (No store front)

I know I would need an FFL application kit from BATFE. What would I put for hours?

I know I would need a seperate safe for "customer" firearms.

Is some form of training required?

Is there anything else for the state of Maryland I would need to do?

Thanks,

Dave

 

• Jan 30, 2010

• #2

bean93x

JamBandGalore

Mar 27, 2008

4,571

WV

good luck getting it approved.

 

• Jan 30, 2010

• #3

midcountyg

Ultimate Member

Mar 7, 2009

2,665

Preston, MD

ATF is trying to put an end to home FFLs.

 

• Jan 30, 2010

• #4

ar15dave

AR15Dave

Jun 10, 2008

2,226

Monrovia, MD

Thanks. Figured it was at least worth a try to see what was involved.

 

• Jan 30, 2010

• #5

Markp

Ultimate Member

Dec 22, 2008

9,392

Don't give up so easy...

It's not an impossibility, but you have to know what you are doing. The biggest problem is zoning. You have to have a business license, a secure facility, and the application for the ATF license.

You may or may not be legally allowed to run your business out of your home. Some FFL's do, and have the zoning that allows for this, others cannot get past the zoning issues. You have to comply with all state and city laws regarding your business. In some cases that necessitates renting a broom closet downtown, alarming it and securing it so that it meets city and state requirements.

Mark

 

• Jan 31, 2010

• #6

M

mikec

Ultimate Member

Dec 1, 2007

11,453

Off I-83

As Mark said, you must comply with the local laws, including zoning. Check with the county before spending any time doing anything else. ASK them if you can operate a home business. Don't say anything about a gun shop.

You may want to read this thread as well: http://mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=29785 Remember, in MD, to sell handgun s and other "regulated firearms", you need a permit or license issued from MSP. You might be able to get a FFL from ATF but not the license from MSP. In that case, no handguns or most evil black rifles.

BTW, there was a FFL in Florida who posted about how where he lived he couldn't get approved for a home FFL, but two blocks away it was a different county and people there could get approved.

 

• Feb 2, 2010

• #7

ar15dave

AR15Dave

Jun 10, 2008

2,226

Monrovia, MD

Thanks! I will do some checking and see what I come up with. Appreciate the advice.

 

• Feb 3, 2010

• #8

ViperRy

Active Member

May 26, 2009

934

Annapolis, MD

There is a home FFL in Bowie. The guys name is Lou Klein. I've never done business through him, I just know he operates a gun shop from his house and has had a valid ffl for years. I'd say try him for some answers.

 

• Feb 3, 2010

• #9

M

MauiWowie

I have the SIGness...

Nov 23, 2008

7,347

Harford Co.

The home FFL's I know have all had a store which they closed but maintained their FFL
maybe it's easier to keep one than get one?
Good luck with your quest!

 

• Feb 5, 2010

• #10

J

Jerry M

Ultimate Member

Jun 13, 2007

1,690

Glen Burnie MD

The biggest problem is zoning. +1

It will depend if your house is in a sub-division and if the county clerk will issue you a business license.

Good luck

Jerry

 

• Oct 9, 2012

• #11

Angeleyes1968

Active Member

Sep 3, 2012

201

Southern Maryland

Great points to investigate, good luck and keep us posted.

 

• Oct 9, 2012

• #12

SRD

R.I.P.

Mar 5, 2011

10,645

Gambrills/Crownsville and parts in between

Angeleyes1968 said:

Great points to investigate, good luck and keep us posted.

Click to expand...

No updates since Feb. '10,I doubt it happened.

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #13

DeadIDik

Habitual Line Stepper!

Aug 11, 2008

1,275

Monkton - Kurt Wala 1952-2009

Depends on what you are doing, theres some people getting home FFLs and doing transfers and theres no zoning issues being brought up.

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #14

ar15dave

AR15Dave

Jun 10, 2008

2,226

Monrovia, MD

I looked into it and as i live in rural Frederick County it would not be an issue. Then the wife freaked out when she heard I would be using the house as a gun store. So, for now the project is in fact on hold.

Dave

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #15

M

mikec

Ultimate Member

Dec 1, 2007

11,453

Off I-83

ar15dave said:

I looked into it and as i live in rural Frederick County it would not be an issue. Then the wife freaked out when she heard I would be using the house as a gun store. So, for now the project is in fact on hold.

Dave

Click to expand...

So the ATF and zoning board would have been easy compared to the wife.

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #16

wolfejp

Active Member

Apr 8, 2011

315

Waldorf

ar15dave said:

Thanks. Figured it was at least worth a try to see what was involved.

Click to expand...

Don’t give up on it. I have had my home based FFL for 1 year now, it wasn’t easy but it’s possible. Try FFL123.com they were a big help.

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #17

F

FHJ69

Active Member

Mar 13, 2011

458

Upper PDRMC

Wolf, what does your home FFL grant you? Can you deal in evil rifles and pistols?

Are there any restrictions?

Thanks!

 

Last edited: Oct 10, 2012

• Oct 10, 2012

• #18

wolfejp

Active Member

Apr 8, 2011

315

Waldorf

FHJ69 said:

Wolf, what does your home FFL grant you? Can you deal in evil rifles and pistols?

Are there any restrictions?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

All guns except class 3, but I will be submitting for that soon.

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #19

H

honda53s

Ultimate Member

May 4, 2009

4,389

Baltimore County

My dad had his house a home FFL before Clinton was in office. Because our place wasn't commerical in baltimore county, we couldn't be zoned for that any longer. In baltimore county from what I know, you need a store front. I don't know how similar yours is though

 

• Oct 10, 2012

• #20

W

wazooz2424

Member

Feb 5, 2012

22

It all comes down to zoning. If you can get zoned for retail sales, there's no problem. If you can't get retail sales, you need to figure out another business model, such as Internet sales only. Transfers are considered sales. I started as a home FFL and then when I realized I would never succeed being Internet only, I found a friend with a small business and he let me rent some space from him.