Anybody own or work in a gun store?

This is hypothetical

I did back close to ten years ago. I don't really know enough about the operations side to make any informed opinions. I'd definitely ask them about their log books and ATF audits

I was told not a lot of $$ to be made if it is a small place. Friend of mine sold guns. Now it was not his main business, but he did have a rack of guns for sale. Shotguns mainly and few rifles. He said the 20% mark up was not worth the effort. Any higher mark up the price would have been to high to sell. Paper work and FFL fees to keep up with made it a hassle. Plus the worries that it made his place of business that much more attractive to break in to. The little bit he sold was not worth it.
Now if you had a big place selling and turning over guns, ammo, accessories, classes, repairs, etc., well that is a different story

I would definitely take a look at the books and see if there is profit to be made. I have my own strategies on how I would increase revenues and offer products with higher margins. The guns get the people in the doors, the margins are made by the other stuff.


I'm trying to find out mainly what ATF/FFL-type questions I would need to ask. I'd hate to be walking into a liability disaster.

Insurance is what I'm in now, so I'm pretty familiar with that. Its actually less than you'd think on that type of risk.

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gmshooter owns a gun store in LA

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Not familiar with him. Is he the one that owns Louques? I think that guy posts here too, or someone that works there.

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hat do you want to know?

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Not sure, that's what I'm asking.


Pretty much, if you were to purchase an existing gun store, what questions would you be asking the existing owner?

Mainly concerning the FFL type issues. I don't want to walk into a liability claim or anything like that.

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what is your return policy?

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This:

If it is in another state it might be a little tricky tracking some of this down.
1 Why are they selling?

2 Research there customer service. Bad service will keep people away even if you change owners.

3 ask for there ATF contact and see if there any issues on that end.(i dont know if they will give the info to you)

4 look at there inventory. is it sellable?

5 Could you continue doing business under there FFL (ATF contact) or would you have to close shop and then go thru the hoops to get your own.
If you closed and reopen was the business was the business grandfathered in on something that you might not be able to reopen at your existing location.