How to Get Your Federal Firearms License

Co-authored by Bryan Villella

Last Updated: January 14, 2023 References Approved

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) stipulates that if you engage in the business of buying and selling guns, you're required to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). The process of obtaining one might seem intimidating, but it's actually straightforward as long as you meet some eligibility requirements. With a little bit of preparation and paperwork, you can easily get your Federal Firearms License in about 2 months.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Filling Out the Application

1
Determine if you're eligible to get an FFL. If you regularly and repetitively buy or sell guns, either full-time or part-time, with the objective of making a profit or livelihood, you need to be licensed.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source} To receive your Federal Firearms License (FFL), you must be at least 21 years old.
- Check the website of the ATF for further eligibility criteria.
- There are some exceptions in which you don't need an FFL. For instance, you don't need a license if you are liquidating a personal collection. Check the ATF website for more examples of situations in which you do and don't need a license: https://www.atf.gov/file/100871/download.^{[2]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
2
Obtain ATF Form 7. It’s available online here: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/form/form-7-7-cr-application-federal-firearms-license-atf-form-531012531016/download.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source} You can also obtain the form by contacting the ATF Distribution Center at (703) 870-7526.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}.

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3
Fill out Part A of ATF Form 7. Provide information about your business, including the name, address, and activities for which the FFL is required. Choose from 9 different types of FFL, which are described on the form. Certify that your business will meet all local, state, and federal regulations.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
- The most common license type is Type 1, for Dealers in Firearms Other than Destructive Devices.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
4
Complete Part B of the form, the Responsible Person Questionnaire. Enter personal information, such as your name, age, address, SSN, and physical description. Answer a series of yes or no questions determining your eligibility for an FFL, including whether you've ever been convicted of a crime.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
- Each responsible person must fill out and sign a separate Part B questionnaire. A responsible person is defined by the ATF as anybody with the power to direct the management and policies of the business that is being licensed. If you are the sole proprietor of your business, you are the only responsible person. Each partner in a partnership counts as a responsible person. In an LLC, all of the ‘managers’ of the company are listed as responsible persons.^{[8]
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5
Get fingerprinted. Each ATF Form 7 must be accompanied by a Fingerprint Identification Card (FD-258). Order this card from the ATF Distribution Center online or by phoning (703) 870-7526. Take it to your local law enforcement authority, where your fingerprints will be stamped on it in black ink.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
- Each responsible person on the license application needs to be fingerprinted.^{[10]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
- List “WVATF1100 ATF-FFLC, MARTINSBURG, WV” in the ORI block of the card.^{[11]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
6
Include a photograph of yourself that is 2 by 2 inches (5.1 by 5.1 cm). The picture must have been taken within the last 6 months. Your whole face must be visible, in frontal view. Don’t wear a hat or head covering. On the back of the picture, print your full name, the last 4 digits of your SSN, and the address of your business.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
- Every responsible person listed on the application must include a photograph.^{[13]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
7
Send the appropriate fee with your application. Pay by check, credit card, or money order. The ATF will not accept cash or post-dated checks.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
- The different types of FFL license range in cost from $30 to $3000 for 3 years. Type 1, the most common license type, costs $200.^{[15]
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  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
- Make a copy of your entire application.
8
Mail your application package to the ATF. Include your complete ATF Form 7, your Fingerprint Identification Card, your photograph, and your fee. Address the envelope to The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, P.O. Box 409567, Atlanta, GA 30384-9567.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
9
Submit a copy of your application to your local CLEO. The Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) is the Chief of Police, Sheriff, or the equivalent in the place where the business seeking to be licensed is located. Mail it or drop it off in person.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Interviewing for and Receiving Your License

1
Wait for your background check to clear. After receiving your application, the Federal Firearms License Center (FFLC) will record the information in it and check it for correctness. They will run a background check on every responsible person listed in the application. When the background check clears, your application goes to your local ATF field office.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}
2
Prepare for an in-person interview. An Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) will be assigned to interview you. The IOI will call you and arrange a time to meet that works with both of your schedules.^{[19]
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- Ensure that your application information is correct and current. Be knowledgeable about federal, state, and local laws and requirements for your business.^{[20]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
- Make sure that your business premises, even if that's simply your home, meet ATF security regulations. The ATF requires that there be a lock on the entrance to your premises and a lock on the storage location of your firearms. While a gun safe isn't strictly necessary, it's a good idea to invest in one to make your application stronger.^{[21]
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Attend the interview at your business premises. The IOI will discuss federal, state, and local regulations in detail with you. The two of you will go through your application together to make sure that all the information in it is correct and current.^{[22]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source} The IOI will also inspect the premises of your business to ensure you meet safety standards for gun storage.
- The longest portion of the interview will likely be spent going over relevant laws and regulations.^{[23]
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- The IOI will prepare a report and make a recommendation to approve or deny the application.^{[24]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  Go to source}
4
Receive your FFL in the mail. If your application is approved, the FFLC will send your FFL to the premises of your business. You should get your FFL approximately 60 days after the ATF receives your completed application, though the process can sometimes take longer. Call the ATF for more information if it's taking a longer than usual amount of time to receive your license.^{[25]
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Trustworthy Source
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
Go to source}

Community Q&A

Question

I am planning to acquire my FFL for a business from my home strictly to run background for others who purchase firearms. I won't have any kind of inventory or office. Will ATF issue an FFL this?

Community Answer

I use an FFL dealer for receiving firearms from internet gun retailers and auctions who does exactly what you are describing. He only does transfers for other individual buyers and charges $20 to receive a gun and complete the paperwork. He works out of his home although he does receive the guns at a location other than his home where he does not want deliveries dropped off every day.
Question

Are you required to obtain this to get a gunsmith certification?

Community Answer

You don't need one to learn how to gunsmith - but you would need one to practice as a gunsmith.
Question

Does admitting myself to a mental facility for depression disqualify me?

Community Answer

No. This only applies to those who were ordered by a judge in a court of law to be committed to a mental health institution.

Warnings

You must renew your Federal Firearms License every 3 years to stay in compliance with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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If you have more than one business location, you must apply for a separate Federal Firearms License for each business location.

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If your state prohibits you from doing business for any reason, you will not be granted a Federal Firearms License.

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