November 26, 2015, 12:18 AM | #1 |
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Home based FFL
I am more than likely getting my FFL this spring or sooner and it will be based out of my home which is unfortunately here in Rochester, NY. I have contacted the zoning department in my town and it has been OK'd from them and talked to the ATF as well to sort out any kind of bumps in the road that they may forsee being a problem. I am 100 percent in understanding that an FFL is for business use and all. I am pretty much working on virtually zero capital for inventory and looking to start off just doing transfers, which the CHEAPEST I have seen around here is $25 and that is about 40 minutes from here. Due to zoning I am NOT allowed to do ANY business in my home and have to go to the customers homes. I am looking to charge $35 for transfers because of gas and milage. Do you guys think this is fair, over priced or low balling myself? Looking for feed back for that and any other ideas you may feel is possible to profit from so i can build up capital for an actual inventory. Not looking to make a fortune, I am very aware of the reality of it. Just looking to make a little extra cash doing something I love and want to provide fellow law abiding citizens with affordable, quality firearms. Lots of shops around here b.s. people. Had one shop tell me if I built an AR from parts I order the ATF would put me in prison. Thanks
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November 26, 2015, 12:24 AM | #2 | |
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What am I missing here? |
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November 26, 2015, 01:12 AM | #3 | ||
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So it would not be legal under federal law to travel to do transfers at customer's homes.
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November 26, 2015, 01:13 AM | #4 |
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You can't go to a customer's home. You have to do business at YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS.
Apparently, you haven't actually talked to BATF, either. Unless local zoning regulations allow you to work from your home, BATF will not issue a license. |
November 26, 2015, 08:58 AM | #5 |
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ATF has OK'd the way the business will be conducted. I called the Buffalo office directly, they were only concerned with how the firearms would be locked,that the FFL was not primarily used for personal use and that I am not violating zoning code. Many businesses go to customers homes, I plan on only going to referred customers for safety reasons. I guarantee you ATF is OK with how I plan on doing business.
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November 26, 2015, 09:03 AM | #6 |
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You have bad info. Do get it in writing from the ATF.
Last edited by 243winxb; November 26, 2015 at 09:11 AM. |
November 26, 2015, 09:33 AM | #7 |
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I will call them Monday and clear that all up, have them email me the response to have it in black and white. Amazing the hoops and technicalities the government puts in place, where's the freedom? Thanks for the feedback fellas!
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November 26, 2015, 09:48 AM | #8 |
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Rest assured the ATF WILL CONTACT THE ZONING OFFICE. As soon as the zoning office states no foot traffic(no business conducted) at your residence to the ATF your application will be DENIED. Your zoning office has stated that NO BUSINESS AT HOME. That's your stop light. Perusing your endeavor is going to be fruitless.
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November 26, 2015, 09:52 AM | #9 | |
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November 26, 2015, 10:15 AM | #10 |
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Otto,
please keep us informed on how this turns out, there are many of us that are in the same boat and would like to consider what you're doing as an option.
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November 26, 2015, 10:18 AM | #11 |
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Personal interpretation of laws to your favor doesn't change the reality of the situation.
(That sounded quite astute, didn't it)?
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November 26, 2015, 11:23 AM | #12 |
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Zoning laws are different , depending on where you live. The busniess , if under a set square feet area, may be allowed. The type of busniess also matters. You will also need to update you home owner insurance, if peope come to your home. A tiny operation may purchase insurance like a lady that does hair in the basement. The ATF has listed that no FFL are allowed to work from you home. But an outbuilding that is not attached to the house, is ok. Problem is, the ATF laws are always changing. Dont give up. Good luck.
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November 26, 2015, 11:26 AM | #13 | |
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GW noted:
Quote:
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Cave illos in guns et backhoes |
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November 26, 2015, 11:51 AM | #14 |
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I made it really clear to the zoning office and the ATF that my home will only be used as storage for the firearms and as an address for the license, no foot traffic or advertisement on the property. All interactons would be done off property of proposed licensed address. If you guys have any advice on how I should word it to the ATF when I call on Monday to reiterate, I'd appreciate it. I will keep you informed on any or all results.
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November 26, 2015, 12:51 PM | #15 |
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If I can get a transfer for $25 less than an hour away, I'm going to combine my errands and save the ten bucks extra you're going to charge me.
As an aside, just because you have an FFL doesn't mean I'm going to let a stranger in my home. You may be the nicest guy in the entire Mohawk River Valley but I'll drive for an hour and eliminate any and all risk to my family that may or may not arise from someone at my door. Since I can't come to your place and shoot the breeze with you for a couple of hours while checking out your sales rack, I'm not going to have any basis to consider you as someone to put any trust in, other than I've been referred to you, which means nothing. Can't do business at your business? Red flag. You want to come to my house? Red flag. Nothing personal, but I'm not seeing much of a business model here. If you can change that model to 'transfers here in the shop are $25, and we can come to your place for $35', that would be beneficial. |
November 26, 2015, 12:51 PM | #16 | |
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November 26, 2015, 01:29 PM | #17 |
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I would work off of referrals, a "I have a good buddy that knows his stuff on guns" kind of thing. I uderstand people may not trust me and if that is the case I would be more than glad to tell them to go to the shop I go to. I'm not trying to have this be my day job out of my house like this. I have only spoken to the ATF and email zoning office so I can print them out as proof to the ATF as requested by the ATF. there is an interview conducted for the license on the premises by the ATF after filing, they said any or all issues would definitely ironed out by then.
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November 26, 2015, 05:46 PM | #18 | |
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November 26, 2015, 06:15 PM | #19 |
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Getting an FFL is not a negotiated process, either you are in compliance with each and every box to be checked off on the form, or you are not. There is no 'ironing out' of deficiencies.
I recommend you seek a variance in your zoning requirement. Be prepared to spend some serious time and effort getting your FFL. I know two home-based FFLers, both required a variance be granted in order to conduct business at their home in residential zoning. Fortunately, none of the neighbors objected, but the town did not allow ammunition sales along with the guns for safety reasons. |
November 26, 2015, 09:30 PM | #20 | |
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It sounds to me like you are either getting bad advice from somewhere, or not asking the right questions. |
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November 26, 2015, 10:31 PM | #21 |
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I called ATF about what hours I should put down being as I would be more of a by appointment business, agent said just put some hours you aren't at work. He said the reason for listing the hours were for setting appointments for them to check books and inventory.
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November 27, 2015, 09:54 AM | #22 | |||||
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1. The person that answered the phone at ATF didn't fully understand your question. 2. Or you didn't fully explain your proposed business plan 3. Or that neither you or the person at ATF has read a shred of regulations. Quote:
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The majority of FFL's are home based. No ATF regulation has ever prohibited a home based dealer.......I'm a "kitchen table dealer". There is no ATF requirement to have a "an outbuilding that is not attached to the house"....as a matter of fact, there is no requirement to have a door, a lock, a safe or even a permanent structure. Quote:
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