Premises Address Question for the Experts
I am about to file the paperwork for an 07 FFL. I had my 01 back in the 80's, but gave it up some time ago. I now live in a small very liberal town that has restrictive codes for residential based business's. I could ask for a variance, but the chance of getting it approved is pretty slim due to the liberal political views of most of the city officials and residents.
As an alternate I am thinking about using my business address. I work for a small company with less than 10 employees in a small industrial area that has correct zoning. The owner of my company is fine with this idea and even suggested it while we were talking.
My questions are: Will the ATF ask who the corporate principal, or lease holder is? Does the premises need any kind of signage or markings? What about security issues? We have an alarm, but not a safe. Will they require that? Any issues with storing firearms prior to or after transfers?
They will question the owner, and require you to establish some sort of right to do business there. You may need to work out a $1/year "rental" on some space, in order to legitimately operate an FFL business from the space, or end up with the business owner on your FFL.
Signage is not required, but ATF does require regular hours for non-gunsmith FFLs, although they don't dictate what those hours have to be.
You are required to have "safe storage" for firearms on the premises, though that could be as little as a bicycle cable lock you run through all the actions and chain them to a post, up to a giant safe, to a small closet or chest with a padlock. It's all about restricting unauthorized access to the guns when the FFL or his bonafide employees are not there.
You're also required to have trigger locks, and provide one with each handgun sold, now.
You're required to post your business license(s) and FFL in a conspicuous place somewhere on your licensed premises.
Originally Posted By Circuits:
You are required to have "safe storage" for firearms on the premises, though that could be as little as a bicycle cable lock you run through all the actions and chain them to a post, up to a giant safe, to a small closet or chest with a padlock. It's all about restricting unauthorized access to the guns when the FFL or his bonafide employees are not there...
The "safe storage" requirement has nothing to do with the dealers premises security. When you apply for your FFL you sign a "safe storage" certification........meaning you will comply with the Child Safety Lock Act and will have locks or other safe storage devices available at your premises.
There is no ATF regulation that requires a safe, alarm system or even a lock on your front door.
FWIW
I am waiting on my 07 paperwork and I am leasing space from a local shop (01/SOT). The agent I spoke with said I would need a seperate mailing address (to differentiate their shop from mine). I dont know if this applies if there isnt another FFL there, but I thought I would throw it out there. Otherwise he just said it was a zoning question.
Originally Posted By notso:
FWIW
I am waiting on my 07 paperwork and I am leasing space from a local shop (01/SOT). The agent I spoke with said I would need a seperate mailing address (to differentiate their shop from mine). I dont know if this applies if there isnt another FFL there, but I thought I would throw it out there. Otherwise he just said it was a zoning question.
That's easy enough. Just make your address "Suite A" or "Suite B".
Originally Posted By txyaloo:
Originally Posted By notso:
FWIW
I am waiting on my 07 paperwork and I am leasing space from a local shop (01/SOT). The agent I spoke with said I would need a seperate mailing address (to differentiate their shop from mine). I dont know if this applies if there isnt another FFL there, but I thought I would throw it out there. Otherwise he just said it was a zoning question.
That's easy enough. Just make your address "Suite A" or "Suite B".
This.
It might be a good idea to notify your local post office before doing this though.
Originally Posted By txyaloo:
Originally Posted By notso:
FWIW
I am waiting on my 07 paperwork and I am leasing space from a local shop (01/SOT). The agent I spoke with said I would need a seperate mailing address (to differentiate their shop from mine). I dont know if this applies if there isnt another FFL there, but I thought I would throw it out there. Otherwise he just said it was a zoning question.
That's easy enough. Just make your address "Suite A" or "Suite B".
Thats exactly what we did. No big issue, just thought I would mention it.
