Every state has their own gun laws with unique quirks and Michigan gun laws are no exception. Some of these gun laws in Michigan impact how FFL holders do business too. So let’s take a look at the 5 Steps to getting a Michigan FFL and how you can get started.
There are a lot of gun owners in Michigan. There are also a lot of FFL holders in Michigan. As of June 2021, there are 3,897 of them, to be exact! While Michigan’s state government may be kind to gun owners and gun businesses, the same cannot always be said for the federal government. That means you have to tread carefully when getting your Michigan FFL and you need to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row in order to get into – and stay in – business.
That’s where we come in. FFL123 is here to make sure you can get that Michigan FFL you want and deserve!
The very simple answer is: yes. If you plan on running a business that deals with firearms, you need to have an FFL. This isn’t a state requirement, but rather a Federal requirement. Speaking of which…
The ATF has pretty basic requirements to get an FFL. So basic, in fact, we’ll only glance at them.
To get an FFL, the ATF requires that you be a law-abiding US citizen or a permanent resident over 21 years of age who can legally own a firearm. Pretty simple stuff, really. The paperwork is annoying, and you have to demonstrate you are planning to operate a business, but that’s not too hard.
Before you can get a Michigan FFL, you have satisfy some basic, but important Federal requirements. As long as these all apply to you, then go ahead and start the application.
Basically, as long as you can legally own a gun, you meet the legal requirements for an FFL. You’ll also need to provide fingerprints and identifying information on yourself and any business partners plus a few other pieces of information. FFL123 customers naturally get step by step guidance on this entire process.
Once you meet the federal requirements, it’s time to make sure you meet the state ones next.
The good news is Michigan doesn’t require a redundant state-level gun dealer license. Some states do, but they only serve to complicate things and duplicate what an FFL already is. Michigan FFL holders do not have to have state licenses beyond the usual sort of business licenses required for their type of business.
Michigan FFL holders should be aware that their customers will have to get a special license to purchase handguns from their local police department. You cannot sell a handgun to somebody until they show that license. More information can be found here.
FFL123 customers have the advantage of our team of industry insider experts who will help you understand every applicable Michigan gun law that applies to your FFL business.
Yes, you must be registered with the state as some kind of business to get an FFL in Michigan. While there are no state-level gun dealer licenses in Michigan, you must still be successfully licensed with the state and the local area in which you are doing business. You also have to operate in a correctly zoned area that matches the type of business you are doing.
First, you need to get a state business license. This is a pretty cut and dry process and even largely automatic as long as you pay the licensing fees. Now is a good time to decide if you are setting up as a corporation or not. We suggest doing business as an LLC or other corporation to limit personal liability.
Next, it’s time to get your local business licenses. Cities and counties may also require a business license. Again, this should be pretty cut and dry.
Make sure you are properly zoned for the kind of business you plan on doing. In most places, a home-based FFL should be possible. Type 07 FFLs that engage in more than the lightest of manufacturing probably won’t be possible in residential areas.
Thankfully, there aren’t any special licensing requirements for Michigan FFL holders, but there is a specific requirement that must be met by potential firearms customers if they intend on buying a handgun.
Customers must obtain either a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) from their local law enforcement agency or police department or a permit to purchase a handgun. If they have the CPL, then they do not need the purchase permit and vice versa. You can not legally sell a handgun to any Michigan resident without a CPL or a permit to purchase. They do not need both, but the customer will definitely need one or the other.
Thankfully, almost all of Michigan is pro-gun. That’s not to say, however, that you won’t possibly run into some minor hiccups with local authorities. Still, this shouldn’t be too big of a deal and should be able to be resolved rather easily.
If for some reason, you encounter a snag, FFL123 is here to help. Our members are provided access to private forums with other FFL dealers just like you, as well as members-only resources to help you navigate these waters.
The biggest issue any Michigan FFL holder will face is zoning and business licensing. This is true of pretty much any business, but FFL’s often are under close scrutiny. And depending on the type of FFL you get, you may face some steep zoning requirements.
For instance if you are in the business of manufacturing ammo for commercial sale, your zoning requirements are going to be a lot stricter than a simple gunsmith repairing rifles in a small rented commercial space.
For the most part, you won’t have any problems here. Just get the right business licenses and find a location you like. Small home based FFL’s may have difficulty though. In many cases, it is fairly easy to get a variance for light retail in most residential locations, but now and then problems pop up.
FFL123 customers can get personal assistance navigating the sometimes confusing issues involving zoning for small home based FFL’s. With almost two decades of experience in helping home based FFL’s get licensed, we’ve learned a thing or three…
Ok great, you’ve got the licenses, now what? Well, there is no requirement to have a safe or alarm system on your premises, but you probably should for peace of mind. But simply having your FFL and all the business licenses isn’t enough to start. You’ll need fixtures, signs, and all that good stuff.
Some local laws may regulate how you can advertise your business with limits on type or size of signage and how it is placed. That should all be explained to you when you get your business license. When in doubt, just ask.
When you buy an FFL123 application kit, we’ll help you understand any other requirements for your business that might pop up at the last minute too, so relax, you’re covered.
All done, right? Well, not really. You’ve got your Michigan FFL, but do you have a source for guns, ammo, supplies or whatever else you need to run your business? This is where many FFL holders struggle and even wind up going out of business over.
You need inventory and you need reliable suppliers. If you have a brick and mortar location it’s usually not hard to get accounts with major distributors and suppliers. But small dealers or home based FFL’s often struggle to get wholesale accounts.
But that’s not a problem for FFL123 customers! We maintain a specially curated list for our customers of wholesalers and distributors who will work with FFL holders of any size. This ensures that you have ready access to the inventory you need to succeed.
One of the most popular reasons to get a Michigan FFL is to operate as a home based or “kitchen table” FFL. These sorts of Michigan FFL’s are popular for two very simple reasons. One is the chance to make a decent part time living selling guns out of your home or garage. After all, if your neighbor can sell essential oils at home, why can’t you sell guns?
The other is the chance to access guns at wholesale costs for your own use incidental to your regular business operations. Home based Michigan FFL’s can save up to 30 percent off retail gun prices, and can both build a profitable part time business, and grow their gun collection at the same time.
In order to get a Michigan FFL to run a home based FFL, you really don’t have to do a lot. Most cities and counties allow for light retail operations in most residential areas. FFL123 makes a specialty out of helping people get their home FFL’s, and can help guide you through tricky zoning and licensing issues.
In more rural settings, you may even be able to do light manufacturing at your residence. Imagine being able to legally build silencers and even machine guns in your rural barn! What a great reason to get a Michigan FFL.
On the Federal level, it costs between $30-$200 to get an FFL for the first three years. Each license type’s cost varies due to the different responsibilities they allow the licensee to perform. There are different kinds of licenses for selling a few handguns versus handling or making NFA items.
There are also other costs associated with Michigan state and local licenses. Because of the wide variety of localities and their different policies and procedures, it’s best to check directly with your local government to find out how much they charge for business licenses, etc.
How to Become a Federal Firearms Licensee in 10 Easy Steps: This is the ATF’s own guide to getting your FFL.
US Code § 923: Federal US Code § 923 covers regulations for the import, manufacture, and dealing of firearms and ammunition. This is the law that requires firearms businesses to get an FFL.
US CFR § 478.47 – Issuance of License: This explains how a Federal Firearms License is issued, including who must assign the license number. It requires the ATF to qualify applicants based on a predetermined list of requirements and to issue Federal Firearms Licenses. If a correct FFL application has been submitted, the Chief of the Federal Firearms Licensing Center must issue the license and assign a serial number to the licensee.
Gun Control Act (GCA): The GCA of 1968 established stricter laws on the firearms industry than were already present in the NFA of 1934. This included new regulations regarding firearms offenses, firearms/ammunition sales to “prohibited persons,” and federal jurisdiction for “destructive devices” (bombs, grenades, mines, etc.) These are just some of the things that were created with the GCA.
Let’s get started then! Click here to get started by choosing the FFL123 guide that is right for your business. Not sure which one is best? Just ask us and we’ll be happy to help you out. FFL123 has helped thousands upon thousands of Americans just like you get the FFL they want and deserve.
With almost 20 years of experience, we will guide you through the confusing procedure of applying for your FFL, plus all the state and local issues that might hold you back. We’ll make sure you’ve got your business set up and ready to go, and have plenty of contacts to get inventory.
What are you waiting for? The sooner you start, the sooner you can have your Michigan FFL. Remember, FFL123 customers, get personal one on one attention from the first line of the FFL application to the day they open business. In fact, we don’t stop there, FFL123 customers get lifetime support. This is important in a world of ever changing gun laws and regulations. We stay on top of them and make sure you are in the loop too. Just order your application kit and let’s get you going!
Truth be told, we’d like a world where any law-abiding American could easily get into the gun business. But we don’t live in that world. We know this, and so does our staff of industry insiders and legal experts. FFL123 has assembled a staff that is dedicated to helping our customers cut through the red tape of getting an FFL.
When you purchase an FFL123 guide, you aren’t just buying a comprehensive step-by-step guide to applying for an FFL. You are also getting decades of combined industry and legal experience that is there when you need it the most.
Every FFL123 customer is entitled to direct, one-on-one customer support for their specific problems in getting an FFL. We specialize in helping people understand and navigate complex local zoning issues, as this is where most problems with getting your Michigan FFL will occur.
In other words, when you do business with FFL123, we back you up until you get your FFL. In fact, we go beyond that, and keep backing you up for as long as you are in business! Our customers get ongoing support for everything from finding suppliers to keeping abreast with the latest changes in gun laws and regulations.
With just a couple of easy clicks, you can start your journey to your Michigan FFL today. Rest easy knowing that you aren’t cast adrift with confusing federal and state paperwork, or left alone to figure out how to fill out and file seemingly conflicting forms. FFL123 is here for you along your entire journey from choosing the FFL that’s right for you, to your first day of business and everything in between.
Are you ready to get your Michigan FFL? Choose the guide that is right for you. Not sure which one you need? No problem! Just ask and we’ll help you with that too. What are you waiting for? The sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy all the benefits of an FFL!
Find the latest list of Michigan gun dealer’s name, email id, phone number and address. You can easily contact the gun dealers. Click here to see class 3 gun dealers in Michigan.
