I've never bought a gun online before, but I've been looking into it recently, and I've noticed that all the online gun auctions require a signed FFL, or say that they will only ship to other licenced FFL dealers. Is this the licence that a store needs to sell firearms? What needs to be done to aquire one?
Yes. You need to have the seller send it to a dealer. they will charge you some money for, whatever it is they charge for. Any local gun store can do this,if they will.
Similarly, some guns will be described as C&R (curio and relics) and that, too, is a federally required license that you can apply for and is much easier to get than a FFL (although, if your background is good and you have the time you can even apply for one of those). But most people don't mess with the FFL and Wes explained the workings with FFL holders well.
Most dealers, or others, who have an FFL charge anywhere from $15-45 for you to receive a gun through them, give or take some depending on who you deal with. And, most times you have to foot the UPS costs.
Consequently, I have found, for the most part, you can get a comparable gun from looking around the shops and gun shows and avoiding the FFL charges. If you plan on buying several older guns then you might well want to consider spending a little cash and time and get the C&R license.
Good luck with whatever you decide....happy shooting.
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"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
Well, the fact he could lose his FFL and damage to his reputation would be at risk.
Most dealers who do transfers do so many that they have no interest in what they are receiving for you. And, there is always a record of transfer, etc.
If it's an expensive or collectable gun then there is, of course, more risk, but for the most part they have more to lose messing with yours than what it's worth to them.
I would recommend against using some 'fly by night' guy or shop and stick with a reputable shop and dealer.
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"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
Actualy you have proff of sending the $$ to the place you ordered from....they send it to you via the FFL shop...so IF...dont see it hapeening...a FFL Dealer kept YOUR Firearm.......then it would be a simple call to the police..or court to get that fixed....IF you order something and for what ever reason dont pass instacheck...or state requirements for your area to purchase the firearm..the FFL sends it back to the shipper....probly get you $$ back - shipping back too them.
.....and, on top of that I would rather deal with a small town shop and owner than a larger city dealer who I didn't know at all.
At least in a small town chances are you already know this guy's reputation and any unscrupulous dealings he might have an inclination to do would be even more of a ding to his reputation than with a big city shop.
Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about using an FFL dealer on transfers with all the checks and balances that are stacked up against being deceitful.
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"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
I would agree with Dale and Doglips - you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you pass the background check and there is no local law keeping you from owning a gun, then you should have no problems as long as your check doesn't bounce! LOL!!!!
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They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"
It isnt as easy as it used to be you have to Maintain a Retail space to get A ffl nowadays. That means you need a sign and business hours and stuff like that.
If you screw up the books there are some real criminal penalties like BIG fines and imprisionment.
FFL is not like it used to be.
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