In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Quick FFL Question

adamj812adamj812 Member Posts: 156 ✭✭✭
edited March 2008 in Ask the Experts
When doing a dealer to dealer transfer of a firearm. Does the receiving dealer by federal law need a copy of the sender's FFL?

I know that the sender is required to get one from the receipient, but the receiver could use the sender's name and address to enter into the books.

Also, as long as the receiver/sender has a copy of an FFL on file, that copy is good for as many dealer to dealer transfers as long the license is valid and not expired, correct?

I just want to make sure because have someone really pissed at me because I shipped them a rifle without enclosing an FFL. I had previously shipped them one with an FFL so I figured they'd have the information on file.

-Adam

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would most definitely contact, them before shipping the firearm.

    Years back when I was still doing the auctions, a bidder won one of my jewels. He sent me a signed FFL from some pawnbroker in MS. I got a angry call from this guy, ( the pawnbroker ). Wanting to know who the he** I was, and why I was sending him a gun.


    It's best to make sure all your ducks are in a row beforehand, so you won't be running into a ugly surprises. My 2?.
  • AZEXAZEX Member Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Any decent dealer SHOULD keep a file full of FFL copies.

    Licensees, unlike non-licensees, SHOULD have a paper copy, electronic copy (scanned and emailed) or faxed copy of the sender's license.

    Oddly enough, big big dealers and distrubutors seem to think that they are exempt and some dealers will argue (and they are right per the rules) that you don't HAVE TO have a copy but merely having knowledge that the sender is a licensee will suffice.

    There are a few old broke-dicks out there who make up their own rules and require paper only copies signed in red or blue or WTH ever color ink, this is not required per the rules. If you sign it, fax it or scan it in and email it to the recipient or include a good ol' paper copy with an original signature, you are complying with the current rules.

    D.
  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In addition to what Rufe said, the requirement is that a firearm must be shipped TO a FFL when crossing state lines- If I have his license number I can verify it AND the address with the ATF. When RECEIEVING an arm, I must have info to go in my bound volume- name and address. Some dealers apparently believe that they can only receive from another FFL- this is not true. If I am making a second purchase from the same seller, I may ask "Do you still have a copy of my FFL on file?" If they do, good to go. PS- on the occasion that I need an 01 Dealer to receive for me (I'm an 03 C&R FFL holder), I take my dealer an envelope, already addressed and stamped, with my payment and letter to seller. All he has to do is enclose a copy of his FFL, seal it, and drop in the mail.
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    adamj812,

    No, Not per BATFE. UNLESS!! that state that it is being sent to requires an FFL to FFL transfer. BATFE requires that state laws be adhered to in a blanket statement. Lots of FFL's receive firearms from non-FFL's. New York is one such state that requires FFL to FFL transfer.

    For all of it's communist laws Kalifornia does not require this.
  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Always send a copy of a ffl to the other ffl. Makes life easier than digging into flies.
  • adamj812adamj812 Member Posts: 156 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This was a matter of days. I would understand if it was a few months apart. I know I hated digging through the files for them, so I have them all filed away and the numbers and expirations in a computer database now.

    I sent the first rifle with hand-signed FFL copy in the box out on a Friday, he received it on Monday. Sent the second rifle for the same customer on monday before leaving town for a week, didn't have a copy close by when I packed it so I left it out. The FFL received it on Wednesday. The receiving FFL knew who the rifle was for and that I had sent it per the invoice.

    I think I had about 15 angry messages on my answering machine when I got back the following monday and he was ready to ship it back because he didn't want the rifle in his shop without the FFL.

    Just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything against the law for not sending one with. Most of the time I send one along with the firearm, but sometimes I leave it out and have never had a problem until now. The name, addres and FFL# are always included on the invoice and the note to FFL.

    -Adam
  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As an ffl dealer I don't require an ffl from the shipping ffl. I just do as the ffl regulations and state law require. Nothing more, nothing less. I frequently receive firearms from my wholesaler. I have never seen his ffl. A nitpicker could say that I don't know if he is a licensed dealer and he may just be some BATFE sting operation that has published a catalog.
Sign In or Register to comment.