Federal Firearms License

A Federal Firearms License, of FFL for short, is a national permit that allows you or a company to do business related to the making of firearms and ammunition. It also allows for the interstate and intrastate sale of firearms.

There are eight (8) types of FFLs.

How to get an FFL or become a Federal Firearms Licensee

First, you will need to fill out an application and send it back to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

• The application must contain only truthful information.
• You will need to provide a photograph and fingerprints (the form will include instructions on these items).
• If you are a nonimmigrant alien, you will need documentation showing that you have an exception or have obtained a waiver from the nonimmigrant alien provision.
• You must also include a complete ATF Form 5300.37 (Certification of Compliance with State and Local Law) and ATF Form 5300.36 (Notification of Intent to Apply for a Federal Firearms License) (Get these forms by contacting any ATF office)
• Finally, you’ll need to include the proper fee in the form of a money order or check made out to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

If your application is filled out correctly, you shall be approved for a license as long as:

• You are 21 years old or over
• You are not prohibited under the provisions of the Act from shipping or transporting in interstate or foreign commerce, or possessing in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition, or from receiving any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce
• You haven’t willfully violated any sections of the Act
• You have not willfully disclosed information on the application nor lied about any material fact on the application
• You have premises in a state to conduct business subject to license under the act, or if you’re a collector, premises in a state to collect subject to license under the act
• You have filled out an ATF Form 5300.37 with ATF in accordance with the instructions on the form

Who can get an FFL?

If you meet the requirements laid out in the Act based on the application and licensing process, you can get an FFL.

Why Get a Federal Firearms License?

If you’re interested in the manufacture of guns and ammo or the sale of firearms, you will need a FFL. You cannot do these things without a license due to the Gun Control Act of 1968. Penalties and consequences can be severe, so you should always be sure to follow all laws and rules pertaining to firearms and firearms related activitiesand the licensing thereof.

More Information on FFLs

All the information you need to become a Federal Firearm Licensee can be found at the ATF’s website: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/apply-license

Types of FFL

Type 1 – Title 1 dealer or gunsmith other than destructive devices. Can also deal in Title II NFA firearms with class 3 tax stamp.

Type 2 – Title 1 dealer doing business as a pawnbroker

Type 3 – Licensed collector of Curio & Relic (C&R) firearms.

Type 6 – Licensed manufacturer of ammunition and reloading components other than ammunition for destructive devices and armor piercing ammunition. Must also register with the Department of State under the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). Current registration costs start at $2250 per year.

Type 7 – Title 1 manufacturer of firearms and ammunition, who may also act as dealer; may not manufacture or deal in destructive devices, ammunition for destruction devices, or armor piercing ammunition. Must also register with the Department of State under the ITAR. Current registration costs start at $2250 per year. Can also manufacture and deal in Title II NFA firearms with class 2 tax stamp.

Type 8 – Importer of Title 1 firearms and ammunition. Must also register with the Department of State under the ITAR. Current registration costs start at $2250 per year. Can also import Title II NFA firearms with class 1 tax stamp.

Type 9 – Dealer in firearms, including destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices, and armor piercing ammunition. Requires payment as an SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer) Class 1 (can act as an NFA Dealer). To deal/broker any DD with an explosives content (e.g. flash-bangs) requires an additional Federal Explosives License as a Dealer of High Explosives.

Type 10 – Manufacturer of firearms, ammunition and ammunition components, manufacturer of destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices, and armor piercing ammunition; may also deal in all of the aforementioned items. Requires payment as an SOT Class 2 (can act as an NFA Dealer). To manufacture any DD with an explosives content (e.g. flash-bangs) requires an additional FEL^[3] as a Type 20 Manufacturer of High Explosives. Must also register with the Department Of State under the ITAR Current registration costs start at $2,250 per year.

Type 11 – Importer of firearms, ammunition, destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices, and armor piercing ammunition; may also deal in all the aforementioned items. Requires payment as an SOT Class 1 and registration with the U.S. Department of State as a Broker under ITAR/D-TRADE. To import any DD with an explosives content (e.g. flash-bangs), requires an additional FEL as an Importer of High Explosives.

Source: [Wikipedia]

*As with all information on this site, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the statements made in this article, but strive to provide the most up to date information available*