Thinking about getting an FFL, need some insight.

[Brett]

As some of you may know I was let go by the commercial millwork installation company I had been working for due to a slowdown of work and the closing of one of the cabinet shops we subcontracted with.  I've taken a job with a carpet & floor care company and begin work next week.  I'm not excited about the new job but a guy has to do what a guy has to do to support his family and I intend to keep exploring other avenues.  which brings me to the point of this post.

I'm toying with the idea of getting an FFL with the intent of finding work at a local sporting goods retailer or even the new Wally-world that just opened in my area.   I have no intent of opening a brick and mortar store for a number of reasons; a lack of capital to invest and a family life being two key factors.

That said, I would love to hear from anyone here with an FFL who works at a retail facility about their experience.    I have no retail experience, would having an FFL improve my chances of getting my foot in the door of a firearms retailer?  Would having an FFL give me any leverage in regard to the wages I could ask?  In short, is it worth the trouble and expense to get the FFL?  Everybodies thoughts and/or insight is welcome.

Thanks.  

[PA-Joe]

There are several types of FFLs most require that you have a separate and secured location. If a business than that location must have local zoning and fire code approvals. Once you get your FFL you are also agreeing to allow free and open inspection of that location by any and all LEO's. FFL C&R are slightly less restrictive regarding location.

[Dee]

They (the ATF) can search your house without a warrant with the excuse of checking your inventory, ANY TIME THEY WANT TO, AND "WITHOUT NOTICE". With that bit of knowledge when that law went into effect back in about 1982, I boxed up my records and shipped them back to the ATF, along with my FFL.

[Questor]

I can't imagine any scenario under which it's worthwhile unless you actually own the gun shop. It seems like a major hassle to me.

[Graybeard]

To begin with you are NOT gonna get one under the set of circumstances you mention. I think you misunderstand what an FFL is all about. Any store selling guns must do so under it's own FFL so having one of your own ain't gonna get you squat at a store selling guns. Wally world ain't gonna pay more than minimum wages to you regardless.

Unless you have an actual store front operation and post and keep regular hours you're not getting an FFL these days PERIOD. The days of getting an FFL just cuz ya want one are over.

[Cabin4]

I looked into getting an FFL about 7 years ago and gave up on it. I even contacted the BATF and they sent me the requirements package. My goal was to open a store front and operate it part time. Its almost impossible to get one unless your a planning on doing it with a retail store front under normal business hours. In any case, you don't need an FFL to work at a gun store and help customers and handle guns. All that takes is a genuine desire to help prospective buyers and hopefully some good solid firearms knowledge & experiance.

[Questor]

"All that takes is a genuine desire to help prospective buyers and hopefully some good solid firearms knowledge & experiance."

I think there's a guy in Montana that fits those requirements, but it could just be a rumor. The main requirement seems to be "willing to work for peanuts", and that opens doors for a lot of people.

[Brett]

To begin with you are NOT gonna get one under the set of circumstances you mention. I think you misunderstand what an FFL is all about. Any store selling guns must do so under it's own FFL so having one of your own ain't gonna get you squat at a store selling guns.

So your saying the FFL would be under the business' name. i.e; Wall Mart, ABC Arms & Ammo, etc. not an individual?  

I was under the impression that an FFL worked similarly to say a doctor's or dentist's license.  Where it is the individual who has the license to practice medicine or dentistry, is this not the case?   If not why have I been told to "Come back later because the guy with the FFL is not here right now." at a retailer's gun counter?  

As far as the ATF being able to "check your inventory any time they want" I was under the impression that they do that to folks with or without FFL's already.      

[torpedoman]

They need a thinggy called a search warrant to "check your inventory" unless you happen to have an ffl.It has to be issued by a judge to whom they have to prove they have a reasonable cause to warrant a search.Stores that sell guns have a ffl under the corporation although every store is subject to the inspection rules as to books, inventory and storage, and "the guy with the ffl" is bull someone does not know what they are doing, there is a job for you just point out the guy they have now is an idiot and you can do a far better job.

[Brett]

They need a thinggy called a search warrant to "check your inventory" unless you happen to have an ffl.It has to be issued by a judge to whom they have to prove they have a reasonable cause to warrant a search.Stores that sell guns have a ffl under the corporation although every store is subject to the inspection rules as to books, inventory and storage, and "the guy with the ffl" is bull someone does not know what they are doing, there is a job for you just point out the guy they have now is an idiot and you can do a far better job.

With all the rabid liberal anti-gun judges sitting on benches these days how difficult do you think it would be for the ATF to get a search warrant because an unnamed informant said they say a sawed of shotgun behind the counter at your store or say you selling a gun to a Mexican without doing any paper work?   Ever hear of Ruby Ridge?   

Oh, and that clerk probably new just what he was doing... avoiding a lot of paper work and phone calls.     

[Cabin4]

"All that takes is a genuine desire to help prospective buyers and hopefully some good solid firearms knowledge & experiance."

I think there's a guy in Montana that fits those requirements, but it could just be a rumor. The main requirement seems to be "willing to work for peanuts", and that opens doors for a lot of people.

I was describing what I like to encounter when I go to a gun shop.If I don't, then I don't go back to that gun shop. Thats why I go to the one I go to and no longer bother with the rest. Most of the people that work at those other shops are are idiots. They serve no posative purpose to the general population of firearms owners. Idiots working at gun shops do us (gun owners) all harm.

[1marty]

I got a FFL C&R. I filed the application and it wasn't too long that the ATF contacted me. The agent came over the house spent about 1/2 hour explaining the rules and that was it. Actually, they were very nice,
I can't see the reason for getting a regular ffl given the cost and hassle and working in wally world for $7.50 an hour.

[slim rem 7]

i listened to a gun shop owner in s.c.talk about all the grief he had to put up with...
 im convinced its all going underground sooner or later...this unless we manage to reestablish true power in the existing govt...now this could be done by gaining political power thru elected officials...or by scaring the crap out of the people opposed to individual rights...
 as oj proved it can even affect criminal cases...bottum line,, power is power,,,they have to respect it...
 but i think mabe they can just let us do away with each other...i have sadly an reluctantly come to the conclusion,,,that this is a pretty strong possibility,,if they got the right agitators working forum...
 seems inevitable,, that they ll see this weakness an are,, an will exploit it ,,to the best of thier ability.......
 ps...walmart has the ffl of some sort ..the empoyees don t have one to my knowledge..the local one here renewed thier until 2011 not too long ago...