Fire Arms Dealer License

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After meeting a list of FFL requirements available online at many websites, you also must submit ATF form 7, a fee, photograph and fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency to the BATFE regional office. The BATFE home office can be contacted by writing to PO Box 2994, Atlanta, GA 30301 or by calling 404-417-2750. You will be notified by BATFE within 60 days if you have been approved or rejected. If you are approved for an FFL, it will be valid for three years at the location shown on the license. If you are a dealer, it will also be valid at selected gun shows.

You cannot sell guns or ammunition unless you have been approved for and received a Federal Firearms License from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Ammunition and Explosives (BATFE). This is specifically defined in the Gun Control Act which mandates that persons engaged in the business of dealing in, manufacturing, or importing firearms, or manufacturing or importing ammunition, obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). BATFE is an agency of the United States Department of Justice and that is where you go to obtain an FFL. You must comply with all the regulations set forth by the Department in order for you to be approved for your license.

The Gun Control Act specifically defines a dealer as any person who is engaged in the business of selling firearms at wholesale or retail, repairing firearms or making or fitting special barrels, stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms or who is a pawnbroker. You may wonder what “engaged” in business actually means. It simply is defined as a “person who devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of obtaining livelihood through repetitive purchase and resale of firearms.” If you fit this description, then you are on your way to obtaining a Federal Firearms License.

There are some specific things you will need to do before sending in your completed application. You also must meet requirements that apply specifically to you and your business. The requirements basically pertain to age (You must be at least 21 years old.), crime (You cannot have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, a fugitive, a substance abuse user, an illegal alien, mentally ill, etc.), law (You have not willfully violated Federal firearms law.), truthfulness (You application is true to the best of your knowledge.), and business conditions (Your place of business must follow Federal and state firearms guidelines.). Complete definition of these requirements can be found on many online websites or you can contact the BATFE regional office nearest you.

Once your application is completed, you will need to send it to your regional BATFE office. You will also need to send the appropriate fee, a photo ID and fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency. It really is not difficult to obtain an FFL if you follow step-by-step instructions and adhere to Federal firearms license requirements.

If you want to be a gun dealer, then it is important for you to know the steps necessary on how to get an FFL license. Before you can apply for a Federal Firearms license, you must set up a secure place to conduct your firearms business. Your application for a license will be denied if the ATF finds that you have not established an appropriate and secure place to conduct business. In the secure area, your guns must be stored in an organized manner and they cannot simply be lying around randomly in boxes. You must have them organized in a planned, efficient manner. Everything in your potential place of business must be in order and fully functional before you even think about applying for a license.

When you apply for your FFL you must submit to the BATFE regional office the following: AFT form 7, fee, photograph and fingerprints that you have obtained from a law enforcement agency. To find out the correct BATFE, write to P.O. Box 2994, Atlanta, GA 30301 or call them at 404-417-2750. The fee you send depends on the type of application you want. Here is a sample list of initial application fees:

For Other than Destructive Devices

Manufacturer $ 150
Importer        $ 150
Pawnbroker    $ 200
Dealer           $ 200
Collector        $ 30
For Destructive Devices
Manufacturer  $ 3000
Importer        $ 3000
Dealer           $ 300

Once you are approved for a license, it will be valid for three years at the location that is shown on the license. If you have other business locations, then you will need to apply for a separate license for that location. You cannot transfer your FFL and as a licensee you must comply with all federal record keeping requirements. You will be subject to annual inspections to make sure that you are in complete compliance. If you are asked for specific information from the Secretary of the BATFE, you must respond no later than 24 hours after the request.

The FFL requirements must be followed carefully and it is extremely important that you know how to get an FFL license before actually filling out an application. It is no use sending in an application if you have not met pre-application requirements.

Every state has its own set of regulations established for businesses selling firearms and ammunition. The State of Washington is no different and you need to be aware of the regulations before opening your own firearms business in the state. The most important step of all is obtaining your Washington Gun Dealers License after you have obtained your Federal Firearms License.

If you are planning to be engaged in the business of selling firearms at either wholesale or retail or who has, or is required to have a Federal Firearms License is also required to have a Washington Firearms Dealers License. RCW 9.41.010(10) is the Washington State Statute applicable to this regulation. It is easy to apply for a Washington Firearm Dealers License at the law enforcement agency located in the town where your business will be located. While you are applying, you also will be fingerprinted and a criminal history check will be conducted prior to your license being issued. If this is your first Washington Firearms License, it will take approximately 30 days to complete the background check and approve or disapprove your application. You will need to bring along with you a copy of your Federal Firearms License and a copy of your Washington State Business License. You also will need to bring picture ID with you. The cost of the Washington State license is $125.00 and can be paid by check or money order. The Washington State Firearms License is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is your responsibility to renew it as necessary because you will not receive a reminder notice from the state.

If you move your business within the same law enforcement jurisdiction, you will not have to pay a transfer fee. However, if you are moving your business to a new jurisdiction, you will need to contact the law enforcement agency and obtain a new license. Remember, if you open a new store you will need a license for that store’s location. For additional information regarding obtaining a gun dealers license, you can contact the Department of Licensing in Olympia, Washington.