Obtaining a Home-based FFL [2022]

Have you ever wanted to run an FFL out of your home? You’ve probably heard that the ATF doesn’t let people run home based “tabletop FFLs” anymore, but that simply isn’t true! Internet forum rumors aside, the ATF can  – and regularly does – allow home based FFLs. In fact, the majority of FFLs in the United States are home based.

You might be surprised to learn that home based FFLs are perfectly fine with the ATF, and that’s because decades of rumors have confused the issue. (“ATF” and “confusion” in the same sentence!? Say it ain’t so!)

It is true that back in the 90’s the Clinton Administration tried getting rid of home based FFLs. It is also true that the ATF will shut down any home based FFL that isn’t operating as a real business. But as long as you do a few simple things, your home based FFL will never be bothered by the ATF – aside from their legally-allowed annual inspections.

We’ve prepared a handy quick guide for you to better understand how to get a FFL at home and ways to make sure you get it.

Understanding Home Based FFLs

Home based FFLs are usually small, part time businesses. The ATF requires home based FFLs to do a few simple things, like maintain at least one day a week of posted business hours, comply with local laws and zoning regulations, and to be in the actual business of selling guns.

Beyond that, the ATF mostly is concerned with basic regulations as they would with any other FFL, so home based FFLs don’t have to abide by special rules that others don’t.

In other words, as long as you behave like any other FFL, then you’ll be fine.

What Makes a Home Based FFL Different?

Many Americans operate part time businesses from their homes. Often, these are light retail of some sort, sometimes mail order, and sometimes selling handcrafted items. It was only natural that people would want to get an FFL for their home and sell guns part time to supplement their income. Since most places in the country permit some modest retail activity in most residential areas, home based FFLs became quite popular.

However, over time people abused the concept. They’d run their businesses not to make money, but to buy guns for themselves, their friends, and their family at wholesale cost and generally just used their FFL for personal use. That’s highly illegal; always has been and always will be.

Because of these bad apples, eventually the ATF had to start cracking down on people who were abusing their FFL, and that’s where a lot of ongoing confusion today about home based FFLs comes from.

However, a home based FFL isn’t that different from a traditional storefront FFL, but there are a few small differences.

Typically, a home based FFL will be:

• Open mostly by appointment, although there will be some posted regular business hours for walk up traffic per ATF rules. Generally though, expect to make an appointment to pick up your gun or look at inventory.
• Operated in a residential area. There will be few or no outside signs or advertising depending on local zoning regulations.
• Inside the FFL holder’s home, garage, or outbuilding.
• Additionally, home based FFLs typically have a small inventory. There are several reasons for this, including the cost of keeping inventory or space issues. Usually, a home based FFL will have a mix of used guns and only the most popular new guns. This is for simply practical reasons.

Home based FFLs make most of their money on special orders and transfers. If you are buying a gun online or want to order a gun that you can’t find in a store, a home based FFL fills an ideal niche role for facilitating those kinds of transactions. In addition, many home based FFLs work with major distributors that allow you to select and purchase a gun and have it sent directly to the FFL for transfer.

Because all online gun sales and almost all face to face transactions in most states (with the exception of antiques) require an FFL to handle the transfer, home based FFLs spend a lot of their time doing transfers. This allows them to make money without keeping inventory. Plus, the flexible nature of by-appointment hours means consumers can often get their gun when they have time, instead of trying to fit their schedule to a traditional brick and mortar location.

Getting a Home FFL

Generally, the rules to get a home FFL are the same as any other FFL. They include:

• You need to be at least 21 years old and able to legally own guns.
• Your proposed business location must be compatible with the nature of your business. (In other words, you aren’t going to be running a full machine shop in a sleepy residential neighborhood, or conducting retail in an industrial district.)
• You must comply with relevant state and local laws on everything from zoning to signage, record keeping, or other local compliance issues.
• You must comply with applicable Federal law for your chosen FFL type.

As you can see, your biggest hurdle to a home based FFL is local zoning laws. However, FFL123 has decades of experience in helping people overcome that, and we work with local regulatory authorities to get home based FFLs approved. Because most areas allow small home businesses, FFLs are almost never denied, even if some anti gun paper pusher would like that to happen.

FFL123 customers get expert guidance on complying with local zoning laws and help in making sure any objections to having a home based FFL can be overcome. We have successfully helped thousands of Americans open up thriving home based FFLs – even in places where local officials tried to stop them!

An FFL Without a Business? 

It is possible to have an FFL without a business, but that might not mean what you think it means.

Generally when people wonder about getting an FFL without a business, they mean an FFL without a business storefront. In other words, can you have a home based FFL?

The answer, of course, is yes! As we’ve already said, you can have an FFL without a traditional business location as long as you follow local zoning laws, don’t use the FFL primarily for personal use, and otherwise comply with the same laws and rules other FFLs have to follow. Pretty nice, huh?

Though many people who are interested in obtaining an FFL would love to own and operate their own firearm shops, some do not have access to the capital or location to run a retail, brick and mortar firearm business. Truthfully, many who apply for an FFL are more interested in the benefits of the license rather than starting a business from scratch. Though the Federal government requires some sort of justification for an FFL (helping others with transfers, gun consultant, gunsmith, etc), it is possible to get approved for an FFL by using your home address as the location for your business.

Even though the Federal application process for an FFL is the same in every state, some locations utilize more stringent zoning ordinances that limit where an FFL can be located. It is advised to research specific state and local requirements before submitting an FFL application (or work with industry experts like FFL123).

FFL % of Commercial or Residential Location

Essentials for a Home FFL

A home based FFL allows individuals to have firearms shipped directly to their home and gives you the opportunity to purchase weapons and supplies from manufacturers at wholesale prices. This can result in savings of 30% or more, which for an avid weapons collector can be thousands of dollars within a few years.

Though many are drawn to an FFL as a way to circumnavigate some of the restrictions surrounding the purchase of a personal firearm, the ATF will refuse an application if they believe it will only be used for 100% personal reasons. It is important to have some sort of plan that will result in using your FFL to serve the public. While the obvious is to open a retail firearm shop, setting yourself up as a broker for internet sales can also qualify as a viable business justification for an FFL. Helping friends and others with transfers, etc. is a business as long as you’re charging for the service you provide.

Regardless of what choice/justification you use, it is necessary to set aside a portion of your home that will exclusively be used for the business. When the ATF conducts their interview, they will inspect the area set aside for business. By having this prepared beforehand, it will increase the chances of the agent giving a favorable recommendation.

Final Thoughts

The process to submit an FFL application is long and the subtleties can be tricky. If you want to avoid the trial and error, look into our FFL Guide. In addition to it being filled with easy to understand content, we allow our users to have access to a recommendation network that can help secure suppliers as well as form the basis for their company.

Ready to Get Your Own Home Based FFL?

FFL123 has nearly two decades of experience in helping people just like you get their home based FFL. Our team of industry insider experts know all the legal tricks and ways to make sure you get the FFL you want and deserve. No matter if you want to do a few transfers a month for extra part time income, or build NFA devices, we’re here for you.

Our most popular guide will get you your FFL and Class 3 licenses, allowing you to deal in any sort of firearm you wish! Check it out, and let’s get you started. Remember, guns are a growth industry, and even part time home based FFLs can make a reliable, solid income. Let’s get you going today!