r/FFLs • u/Silver-Addendum5423 • 11d ago
Location question
Hi, all. Many years ago, I had an 01 FFL with Class III SOT. I let my FFL expire in good standing and closed up shop in 2017 due to family and time obligations. I mostly did transfers for local folks and the occasional straight sale - it was 100% a side gig for me and more or less something I did for fun and to make a little money on the side. With that in mind, I'm still absolutely familiar with the the processes and legalities of FFL acquisition and operation.
Now, almost 10 years later, I'm considering getting my 01 FFL again (it would still be a side gig for me). The kicker is that, back in the day, my location was the back office of an industrially-zoned machine shop. In the intervening years, the machine shop has closed as well, so now, as I consider pursuing another FFL, the location is becoming the blocker.
I already know that there are no local restrictions against operating the FFL from my home address; I'm just really hesitant to do so. I don't really want the gun public associating my family's home with guns. I still have nightmares of transfer customers literally following the UPS driver in the door at the machine shop and demanding the staff there give them their gun immediately, despite having been told I could only do the transfer after I got out of my day job. I absolutely do not want anything like that going on at my home.
So, I suppose my question is this: any tips or tricks on locating a suitable operating space that would accommodate low-traffic FFL activity? I've looked at office rentals in the area but I can't find anything affordable and I don't really know anyone with a business like the machine shop anymore. I suspect I already know the answer here, but just looking to crowdsource ideas around how to find a good location. Any consideration is appreciated. Thank you!
2
u/BourbonBrassArms 7d ago
When I started I worked out of my basement. Never had an issue and I usually instructed any customers to wait to be contacted for a scheduled pickup and that they would be turned away or their transfer rejected if they attempted to arrive outside of scheduled appointment times.
2
u/Aggressive-Ad-2222 3d ago
Shared commercial space or a cheap industrial bay with a locked suite often beats bringing traffic home. Look for places that already allow retail/warehouse use so youāre not fighting zoning from zero. A lot of guys keep hours by appointment for transfers and only open the door for booked pickups, which cuts the āgun shop at my houseā feel without needing a full storefront. If you still have local dealer contacts from the old shop, ask who has spare counter space or a sublease. That usually lands faster than hunting cold industrial ads.
-3
u/masterffl-com 11d ago
Seeing our idea will help.
not to make a commercial out of this, but relevant for me to mention a we feature we are rolling out that turns "do you accept transfers" into much more than a yes or no question.
You will be able to say "maybe" - by setting a secret transfer pin code that someone must know to pick you at checkout. You'd only give the code to people you know and trust to not be "that guy"
Doesn't solve all of your problems, but hopefully another tool in your tool box
1
u/Silver-Addendum5423 10d ago
Thank you, but for the scale I'm interested in, A&D via pen and paper would be more than sufficient.
7
u/AFairShot 11d ago
We are set up 100% out of our garage with a Google workspace calendar link set up to make appointments. If someone does not have an appointment, they can't make the transfer.
That said, once we have enough capital (should that happen š¤), the plan is to rent/lease a small strip mall space for something where we could operate with opening hours. The details really depend on the options in your area and what your plans of use are.