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FFL03 license?

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wsglock23

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am looking to get my FFL03 license so that I can purchase and have ammo shipped directly to my home address. First off, I am from California so you guys already know how strict it is here. I wanted to asked for some opinion.

If I was to get my license and I start going on a shopping spree buying bulks of ammo and having it shipped to my home address, do you think this will raise a red flag with the ATF? Like would they start spying on me to see why I am purchasing so many ammos, thinking maybe I am doing something illegal like selling it on the streets, etc.? I know it's a silly question but I am just a little paranoid and would not want to me watched by the ATF or anything related. Like i said, silly question, but that's why forums like these exist.
 
#3 ·
wsglock23 said:
I am looking to get my FFL03 license so that I can purchase and have ammo shipped directly to my home address. First off, I am from California so you guys already know how strict it is here. I wanted to asked for some opinion.

If I was to get my license and I start going on a shopping spree buying bulks of ammo and having it shipped to my home address, do you think this will raise a red flag with the ATF? Like would they start spying on me to see why I am purchasing so many ammos, thinking maybe I am doing something illegal like selling it on the streets, etc.? I know it's a silly question but I am just a little paranoid and would not want to me watched by the ATF or anything related. Like i said, silly question, but that's why forums like these exist.
Click to expand...

If you get your FFL, they will without a doubt be watching you, especially in CA. Being in Texas I get a lot of correspondence from them. I don't buy and sell, but I do transfers for officers. I got mine for shipping and receiving firearms for my gunsmith work, but I am still an 01, and they watch dealers transactions in hot spot locations. Last time I was audited, they told me they were getting away from issuing them unless the applicant was going to be running a business with it.

Once you get your FFL, your fair game for the ATF. They no longer will need a warrant to enter and search the address listed on the FFL. It isn't as drastic as it sounds, but do understand, it opens you up for audits anytime they want.





TXPO
 
#6 ·
Markm87 said:
Thought you had to have a legit business location no? I thought that the zoning was a factor in FFL licensing.
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Yes you have to have a business location, online or brick and mortar and yes, a firearms related business must be approved/accepted by whatever zoning, HOA or other authority has control or power over the property or location of the address listed on the FFL application. You have to have letters of approval and a DBA or LLC to go along with the application. Then comes the background check and interview by the ATF.

I received mine years ago mid 2000's, and back then it took about 4 months to completed the process.





TXPO
 
#7 ·
An 03 License is a "Collector of Curios and Relics." much different than an 01 License. I live in Texas and have an 03 license from when I was on a milsurp buying spree several years ago. There are record keeping requirements, but they are not too onerous. Renews every three years and costs $30. Only LOCAL LE requirement from BATFE is that I have to provide the "Chief law Enforcement Official" (in my case the Chief of Police) a copy of my renewal.

Not sure what you are talking about with buying ammo online and needing a 03 unless that is some California thing. I routinely buy bulk ammo online and have it delivered to the house and my supplier has never asked for a copy of my 03 license only age verification when I first started ordering from them.

As far a BATFE harassment, the only thing I get are annoying pre-recorded phone messages warning about trafficking and straw purchases.
 
#8 ·
AF-Odin said:
An 03 License is a "Collector of Curios and Relics." much different than an 01 License. I live in Texas and have an 03 license from when I was on a milsurp buying spree several years ago. There are record keeping requirements, but they are not too onerous. Renews every three years and costs $30. Only LOCAL LE requirement from BATFE is that I have to provide the "Chief law Enforcement Official" (in my case the Chief of Police) a copy of my renewal.

Not sure what you are talking about with buying ammo online and needing a 03 unless that is some California thing. I routinely buy bulk ammo online and have it delivered to the house and my supplier has never asked for a copy of my 03 license only age verification when I first started ordering from them.

As far a BATFE harassment, the only thing I get are annoying pre-recorded phone messages warning about trafficking and straw purchases.
Click to expand...

The 03 licensing isn't under as much scrutiny due to its's nature. I'm just not sure they are even issuing the 03's any longer honestly. As an 01 I regularly have dealings with the ATF, not negative in nature, due to the fact they have a real concern about cartels purchasing firearms here in Texas. Also being an LE, they use me as a local source for information about smaller incidents that may not gain or warrant a call to the ATF.

California being a border state, would likely also be under the same microscope, on top of the fact they have some ridiculous state laws as well.

Honestly if I was an FFL dealer in CA, I would have probably moved to a more firearm friendly state. Yeah the weather is nice, but it isn't worth the hassle.




TXPO
 
#10 ·
TexasPOff said:
I'm just not sure they are even issuing the 03's any longer honestly.
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My last renewal was October 2023 valid until January 1, 2027.

Many of the online firearms dealers advertise that an 03 is acceptable (firearms generally more than 50 years old or designated by BATFE as "collectable"). It is up to the 01 Licensee/dealer to decide if they will accept the 03. Century, AIM Surplus, and many others have my 03 on file. Biggest question BATFE asks on renewal is How many firearms you acquired since last renewal and how many have you disposed of.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
AF-Odin said:
An 03 License is a "Collector of Curios and Relics." much different than an 01 License. I live in Texas and have an 03 license from when I was on a milsurp buying spree several years ago. There are record keeping requirements, but they are not too onerous. Renews every three years and costs $30. Only LOCAL LE requirement from BATFE is that I have to provide the "Chief law Enforcement Official" (in my case the Chief of Police) a copy of my renewal.

Not sure what you are talking about with buying ammo online and needing a 03 unless that is some California thing. I routinely buy bulk ammo online and have it delivered to the house and my supplier has never asked for a copy of my 03 license only age verification when I first started ordering from them.

As far a BATFE harassment, the only thing I get are annoying pre-recorded phone messages warning about trafficking and straw purchases.
Click to expand...
In CA, we cannot buy ammo online and have it shipped to our home address, it needs to get shipped to an FFL... the FFL03 license, eliminates all that and you can now buy ammo online and have it shipped to you house.
 
#13 ·
In NY they frown upon any FFL not working from a retail location. Three of my suppliers have gone out of business working from home. NY gets around the FFL by not allowing a retail dealers licenses to be renewed.

That being said having an FFL will not necessarily get you in business. You may need a local or state permit.
 
#16 ·
I just let my 03 expire last year. I’m in NY and had it for 15 years? Something like that. I used it on C&R long guns. Can’t use it for hand guns in NY. Anyway in that time I only had contact with BATF through the mail for my application, renewal, and a call from me to ask how to end it. It was totally worth it in the past. Now, there aren’t a lot of C&R being imported at great prices like in the past.
 
#17 ·
NY did the same thing for ammo, can’t be shipped to your home and now requires a background check for every purchase. They don’t do that for reloading components. I reload for everything now
 
#18 · (Edited)
I am also in CA and have an FFL03+COE and have ammo delivered regularly to my house. Been doing it for 5 years and never a problem

I guess the question is, how much ammo are you planning on ordering? If you are ordering 20,000 rounds a year, year after year, might raise some eyebrows 🤷
 
#20 ·
TexasPOff said:
Yes you have to have a business location, online or brick and mortar and yes, a firearms related business must be approved/accepted by whatever zoning, HOA or other authority has control or power over the property or location of the address listed on the FFL application. You have to have letters of approval and a DBA or LLC to go along with the application. Then comes the background check and interview by the ATF.

I received mine years ago mid 2000's, and back then it took about 4 months to completed the process.





TXPO
Click to expand...
The OP is specifically talking about an FFL03. No business locations required since no business can be conducted .
Why is there so much "business " comments?
 
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