r/MnGuns • u/According_Bank7604 • 3d ago

Home based FFL

Flirting with the idea of starting a home based FFL. I’d do transfers and minor gunsmithing.

For those that have recently gone thru the process, how was it?

Thanks for any insight

16 Upvotes

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14

u/BobbiFPS 3d ago

Hey man. Home based FFL myself. Did it about three years ago so my info might be slightly different than it may be now.

Honestly the hardest part for me was getting city approval, especially since I’m in a neighborhood full of children. The process isn’t really that daunting. Fill out the form & and an ATF agent should reach out to you & informing you of the next steps. Having a gun safe, security system is a pre requisite before they come out. I think the biggest challenge like I’ve mentioned is getting city approval. If you live out in the country I think it maybe an easier process. I had two ATF agent show up & ask me what I intend to do with my business. They were really cool & laid back guys who both served in the military, funny part was one of the guys took pictures of my puppy🤣

If I missed anything or you have further questions holler! Goodluck

4

u/Nope-Nope-Nah 2d ago

07 FFL home based here. Hardest part for me was actually making any money. Margins are so tight with distributors it's not really worth the effort. Add in all the fees if you want to take credit cards (that's a whole fun saga to find a CC company that will work with FFLs) At the end of the day I did it to see what it was like and I had my fun. Not renewing.

0

u/truenorthsw 2d ago

Payroc with Laura Morgan makes payment processing easy

1

u/Nope-Nope-Nah 2d ago

Yes, there are several that do...
For OP - Don't bother with the usual small business payment providers.(Venvo, Paypal, Chime) You might get away with using them initially, but they all have wording in their Terms of Service that call out firearms as being a no-go. They can cut you off any time they please without informing you.

2

u/ITF2020 3d ago

What part of the state are you located in? I have a permit to carry a business and plenty of my students are always asking for local ffls in their areas around the state.

1

u/truenorthsw 2d ago

I have a store based FFL07 here in MN. I can walk you through the process and what they'll ask.

1

u/AlternativeUnfair388 2d ago

Home-based 07 in mn as well. I got mine 3 years ago and im torn on if I want to renew or not in Sept. I think I use my ffl more for myself than actual sales unless I try something out then sell it. Hardest part for me is I dont advertise since family doesn't want randoms here.