[nerdwithamachinegun]

Are you sure that's what they were shut down for?
I know some pretty low volume dealers that have no trouble.
I'm not trying to debate how arbitrary and capricious ATF can be. I'm suggesting that low volume might be the publicly given reason and that the real problem ATF had with them was something more serious.

[Lurker]

Good info. Thanks.

L

[ExSoldier]

Well, I spoke to the shop owner a week after it happened and he was this pretty old guy rocking on the stoop of the store kinda just remembering the old days. Why don't you call the BATF and ask if low volume is a reason to shut down a gun dealer? Me? I kinda believe the old guy and I kinda believe that BATF is just the kind of Gestapo outfit to use an excuse like that as a tool of clintonian oppression. I think that most of the clinton hires at BATF are still in place.

[P8riot]

Low volume is not a valid reason to shutdown a dealer. I know several who primarily do transfers, but may sell about 20 guns a year (at near cost I might add) in addition to ammo and other accessories. I have been looking into getting mine as well and have done a bit of research.

Typically all of the "kitchen table" dealers I have talked to (about 20) have been in business for several years and only three have had "visits" from the ATF and those were only "courtesy" calls, not "jack-booted" storm troopers.

Storage requirements are not as stringent as some here would have you believe either. Since most "kitchen table" dealers don't carry a large inventory a large safe is not required. I have a safe for my personal collection, but will get another one for my business when the time comes. The ATF and several of the dealers I talked to told me that the ATF has NO guidelines on secure storage other than it has to be out of plain sight and only accessible to the proprietor. You could conceivably get by with a securely locked footlocker.

Zoning issues are the biggest obstacle that most potential dealers face, and this is primarily a function of your locality, not the ATF. When you submit your application for an FFL, you must also submit a copy to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in your locality. This could be either the Police Chief, Sherrif, or a Magistrate. Most areas with just a Sherrif or Magistrate are easier to deal with because those areas are typically rural. In my area we have a Sherrif and a Police Chief and our Sherrif is more gun-friendly than the Police Chief so I will submit my app to his office.

The other things you have to survive are a background check and the licensing fee ($200 first year and $100 every year after that). You will also need to get a tax number in order to collect sales tax.

Don't let people here scare you. It is quite possible to hold an FFL for a long time without any interference from the ATF. Just follow the law, and maintain immaculate records. Only doing business with people you know, or who are referred to you by people you know will cut down on any potential headaches.