I think it would be instructive if you spoke on needing to keep a bound book, dealing with inspections, and the time/money cost of attaining and maintaining your FFL.
I've only used my FFL03 once, to order a Mosin Nagant rifle, but it still worked out cheaper than a single gun transfer in California ($30 for the FFL03 vs. $60+ for a transfer at a gun store)
Part of having a FFL03 is the requirement that you maintain a "bound book" of all transactions done under that license. You can buy these online or print out sheets, but basically you must record who you bought it from, when, for how much, the serial number, etc.
It has not happened to me in 3 years of licensing, but the BATFE may request to inspect your bound book and your firearms to make sure everything's in order.
As for attaining the FFL, I filled out a form (ATF form 7CR) with a bunch of personal information and mailed it off with a $30 check. They did their background checks and after a month or two mailed back my license. You need to renew it every 3 years, but it's basically a matter of making sure the information is correct and sending in a check.
The benefits of having an FFL03:
- Eligible guns can be shipped direct to your door (no handguns shipped in California)
- You can buy C&R eligible guns out-of-state and bring them back with you.
In any case, you must provide the seller with a copy of your license prior to purchase.
I've only used my FFL03 once, to order a Mosin Nagant rifle, but it still worked out cheaper than a single gun transfer in California ($30 for the FFL03 vs. $60+ for a transfer at a gun store)
Part of having a FFL03 is the requirement that you maintain a "bound book" of all transactions done under that license. You can buy these online or print out sheets, but basically you must record who you bought it from, when, for how much, the serial number, etc.
It has not happened to me in 3 years of licensing, but the BATFE may request to inspect your bound book and your firearms to make sure everything's in order.
As for attaining the FFL, I filled out a form (ATF form 7CR) with a bunch of personal information and mailed it off with a $30 check. They did their background checks and after a month or two mailed back my license. You need to renew it every 3 years, but it's basically a matter of making sure the information is correct and sending in a check.
The benefits of having an FFL03:
- Eligible guns can be shipped direct to your door (no handguns shipped in California)
- You can buy C&R eligible guns out-of-state and bring them back with you.
In any case, you must provide the seller with a copy of your license prior to purchase.