How many of you have looked into or have an FFL

I know a guy who has one. I think it's costed him a ton of money just because he's bought an assload of guns with it

I don't know what it would entail to get one but it would be awesome to have

There's a process to go through with ATF. You submit an application, they background check you, come to your house to interview and inspect your house/place of business. A coworker did it, you have to have a computer and a filing cabinet in your office area, and a safe is not required but preferred.

My sister's boyfriend has one.... Can get pretty good deals on some stuff

Yep

I also believe you have to own an actual brick and mortar store nowadays. It can't be your house. The ATF wants a door that they can knock on and enter at their leisure without a warrant and a home doesn't fit that bill. The picture of the storefront has to be in the pplication packet. People are still grandfathered in prior to this rule taking effect but that is the current situation.

***disclaimer*** I am not ATF. This info MAY be incorrect but I think it is pretty accurate.

How to Become a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL)
Once you have decided to make an application for a federal firearms license (commonly referred to as an “FFL”) you would send the completed application to the ATF post office box listed on the application form, ATF Form 7 – Application for License (FFL). The application must be accompanied by the proper application fee, which you can pay by check, credit card or money order {we do not accept cash). Once the application fee is processed, the FFLC will enter your application information into its database and commence a full review of your application and supporting materials, including fingerprint cards and photographs. The FFLC will review the fingerprint cards you submitted for clarity and, as required by law, will then conduct an electronic background check on all the “responsible persons” you have identified on your application. ATF defines a responsible person as a sole proprietor, partner, or anyone having the power to direct the management, policies, and practices of the business as it pertains to firearms. In a corporation this includes corporate officers, shareholders, board members, or any other employee with the legal authority described above.

The FFLC will then send the applications for new licenses to the nearest ATF field office having responsibility for the area in which your business is located. The field office supervisor will issue an assignment to an Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) who will conduct an in-person interview with you. The IOI will discuss Federal and State and local requirements with you, and go over your application with you to ensure the information is correct and current. The IOI will then prepare a report of his/her interview, the inspection and make a recommendation to either issue you the license or deny the application. Some reasons for denial may include failure to comply with State or local law (such as zoning ordinances), evidence of previous willful violations of the Gun Control Act, or falsification of the application.

The field office supervisor will also review the report and then submit his/her recommendation to the FFLC. Assuming that all background checks have been completed and your business address and proposed business operations are in compliance with State and local law, the FFLC will complete the application processing and issue you the license. [This will take approximately 60 days from the time your application was first received and if the application you submitted was completely and correctly filled out.

Just to add to the correct info that nogoodjr explained. If you are denied a FFL for any reason, wrong information on your application or just a bad vibe from the IOI you will be blackballed from ever applying for another. So make sure you are 100% committed and correct with everything you put forth. You only get one chance.

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As Jibb described, you basically have to have a "brick and mortar" gun business.

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Thats not true, guy I work with just got his last month and his only "business address" is his house.

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I guess your co-worker must be running his business from his home. While not a "brick and mortar" business, it's still a business.

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i would think as long as he isn't letting people into his home to view a retail type "showroom" than he would be ok.... seem like to me this would be the same as a lawyer/cpa working out of his home...