This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Bryan has nine years of professional experience and is an NRA and Florida State Certified “K” Instructor. He leads certified training courses necessary to get licensed through the state to work in the private security field. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Business owners who want to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) in the state of Florida can do so by applying for a license with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).[1] In order to receive the FFL license, you must meet certain federal law criteria, pass a background check, and complete the FFL application. You will also be required to provide fingerprints, photo identification, and an application fee to the ATF. After you have met every requirement and sent your application package to the ATF, your application will be reviewed, and an ATF field office inspector will meet with you to conduct an interview and inspect the business premises. After your FFL application has been fully approved by the ATF, you will receive your FFL license within 60 days from the day you turned in the application.
Steps
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1Verify that you are eligible to receive an FFL license. By federal law, you must be at least 21 years of age, not have been convicted of crimes punishable for more than 1 year, have not violated federal firearms laws, have a business location from which to sell firearms, and have applicable licenses as required by your state.[2]
- The state of Florida does not require you to obtain any state licenses or permits for clearance to sell firearms or handguns.
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2Obtain the required forms needed for the FFL license. The forms include the FFL application and FFL Certificate of Compliance.[3]
- Visit the ATF website provided in the Sources section of this article to view and print copies of the FFL application and Certificate of Compliance. The links for each form will be listed on the right, below the "Necessary Materials" section.
- If you do not have Internet access, obtain the forms directly from an ATF field office in your region. Contact the Miami regional field division by calling them at 305-597-4800, emailing them at MiamiDiv [at] atf.gov, or by visiting their office at 11410 Northwest 20th Street, Suite 201, Miami, Florida, 33172.
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3Obtain 2 fingerprint identification cards. These cards can be obtained from your local law enforcement agency and are required for identification purposes and the background check.
- Visit the nearest law enforcement office in your local area or find the nearest office by calling the headquarters for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at 850-410-7000.
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4Obtain 2 photographs of your face. The photographs will be used for identification purposes and will be kept on file with the ATF.
- The photographs can be identical; however, they must be at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width.
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5Collect the required application fees. Application fees can be paid by check, money order, or credit card.
- The application fee will cost 3000 dollars (2119 euros) if you plan on selling destructive devices such as grenades, bombs, and missiles. If you plan on selling only non-destructive devices, such as handguns, the application fee will be 200 dollars (141 euros).[4]
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6Complete the FFL application. You will be required to complete the form in its entirety. The application will prompt you to enter information such as the contact information for your business, the types of firearms products you plan on selling, daily business hours, personal firearms license information, and any existing criminal history.
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7Complete the Certificate of Compliance. This document will require you to certify that you are a lawful United States citizen.
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8Send all the materials to the ATF headquarters office. The materials to include in the package are the application, Certificate of Compliance, the 2 fingerprinting cards, your 2 photographs, and the fee.
- Address the envelope to: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, P.O. Box 409567, Atlanta, Georgia, 30384-9567.[5]
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9Meet with an ATF field office representative. After the ATF receives your application package, your information will be reviewed and a background check will be conducted. An ATF field office representative will then contact you and meet with you for an in-person interview. During the interview, the representative will verify that you understand the federal FFL laws and inspect your business to ensure it meets zoning requirements in your area.
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10Wait to receive your FFL license. After the ATF representative has verified that you and your business are in compliance with federal and state laws, you will receive the FFL license within 60 days.[6]
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat if I want to sell online and don't have a place of business?
Community AnswerYou will need to have a place, not necessarily a store, but any place (your home is fine) to list on legal documents, have products shipped to, etc. -
QuestionDo I have to have a business to get an FFL?
Community AnswerNo, you don't have to have a business to get an FFL. -
QuestionHow much does a license to carry a firearm cost?Community AnswerThat depends on the state you live in. Arizona does not require a permit to carry open or concealed. Florida requires a concealed carry license and only allows concealed carry. The fees by the state are $102. The class needed to meet the state requirements vary by who is teaching the class.
Warnings
- Florida requires all business owners with FFL licenses to post a warning sign at the purchasing counter with the following verbiage: "It is unlawful to store or leave a firearm in any place within the reach or easy access of a minor under 18 years of age or to knowingly sell or otherwise transfer ownership or possession of a firearm to a minor or a person of unsound mind." The letters must be in block-letter format at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) in height.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Although FFL licenses are valid for 3 years, you will be required to pay annual renewal fees. The renewal fees for dealers who sell destructive devices are 3000 dollars (2119 euros); whereas dealers selling non-destructive devices will pay 90 dollars (63 euros).⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- FFL application form
- FFL Certificate of Compliance form
- 2 fingerprint cards
- 2 photographs of yourself
- Application fees
- Large envelope
References
- ↑ https://www.atf.gov/firearms/apply-license
- ↑ https://rocketffl.com/ffl-requirements/
- ↑ https://orchidadvisors.com/getting-an-ffl/
- ↑ https://rocketffl.com/ffl-cost/
- ↑ https://www.atf.gov/contact/contact-atf-headquarters
- ↑ https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/how-long-does-it-take-approve-or-disapprove-federal-firearms-licensee-ffl-application
- http://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-to/become-an-ffl.html
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