Where to get a Federal Firearms License (FFL) Application

Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

What do you need to do to get your Federal Firearms License? One of the very first things that you’ll need to do is to procure an application. And if you’ve never had the misfortune of having to navigate your way through the bureaucracy of a government website, you are in for a very special treat!

First up, you’ll need to have done your homework on the different types of licenses that are available. There are a few different reasons why you may want to get a Federal Firearms License. And depending on your specific reason, there may be a certain application that you’ll need to fill out. Unfortunately, there is no one single application for a blanket type Federal Firearms License.

As an indicator of the complexity surrounding firearms, the ATF (now known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive – BATF) has 47 different sets of forms, applications and instructions listed here.

Luckily though, most of those are special case license application types. The two most common license types are the F 7 (5310.12), and the F 7CR (5310.16). The F 7CR is the Collector of Curios and Relics type, and is not designated to be a dealer. If you intend to become a dealer, you’ll want the F 7 (5310.12).

Now, that you’re reasonably sure of the license type that you want, you’ll need to get the application itself to fill out. Unfortunately, unlike a lot of other government applications and forms, these forms aren’t available online due to their fingerprint and photograph requirements. To get one or more of these applications, you can, however, request them online here. Or, you can call this number to request them – (703) 455-7801.

If there’s anything that you should take from attempting to get just the application for an FFL, is that the government and all of the firearms laws and regulations are EXTREMELY dense. Some may even say cryptic. Nothing ever seems to be easy. And rest assured that the rest of your journey on the path to your FFL license is bound to be filled with speed bumps too. Just remember to keep cool, do your homework, and pray like hell, and just maybe you’ll get lucky the first time….MAYBE!

Tags: application, atf, BATFE, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, C&R, curios and relics, f 7, f 7cr, federal firearms license, federal firearms license application, ffl

FFL License (Federal Firearms License): Reasons Why You May Want to Get Yours

Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 11:09 pm

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The FFL license, more commonly known as the Federal firearms license, is broken up into several different types of FFL licenses, and three special occupational tax classes which help to define whether you’re an importer, manufacturer, or dealer of NFA firearms.

The first reason you may want to get an ffl license if you’re considering becoming a gun dealer or a gunsmith. In order to sell firearms or to work on NFA type firearms you’ll need to get a type I title I dealer or gunsmith license.

If you’re a pawn broker or considering becoming a pawn broker that deals in firearms you’ll also need an ffl license. This license will be a Type 2 license. Its also title I but it’s geared towards pawnshops and pawnbrokers.

If you’re just interested in collecting antique firearms or NFA firearms, you’ll need to get a type III license. This is the licensed collector of Curio and Relic (C&R) firearms license you won’t be able to sell firearms to the general public with this license but you will be able to buy for your own collection.

If you want to manufacture ammunition and or reloading equipment, and the two acquire a type VI federal firearms license. This license will allow you to manufacture ammunition except for armor piercing ammunition.

One very important point to keep in mind is that as the political landscape changes so do the oldies of those in charge of our laws. What seems simple to do today may actually become quite difficult in the future, or even impossible. With that said, if you’ve ever considered obtaining an ffl license, the sooner that you can obtain one the better off you may be. The erosion of gun has been a constant concern amongst the conservative contingent in the United States. And with a more fractured base, may not be as important to the general population as they used to be. It’s impossible to stress how important it really is to become active in politics and gun rights if you wish to keep them.