Federal Firearms Licenses: Rules and Regulations and Information

The number of federal firearms licenses in the past has had a period of decline.
Legislation played a significant role in reducing the number of federal firearms licenses.

The factors involved were: President Clinton's executive order of Aug. 11, 1993 related to federal firearms licenses, the Brady Bill, signed into law on Nov. 29, 1993 and the Crime Bill of Sept. 13, 1994.

It was the BATF regulations, implementing the President's Executive Order that required additional paperwork along with new requirements including photographs and fingerprints that escalated the decline in applications.

Over 53,000 dealers were removed from the data base in 1994 and most could not have passed the new ATF federal firearms license application and screening procedures.

ATF will approve the application if the applicant:

* Is 21 years or older.
* Is not prohibited from handling or possessing firearms or ammunition
* Has not violated the Gun Control Act or its regulations
* Has not failed to provide information or facts in connection with their application
* Has a place for conducting business or collecting

The applicant must also certify that:

1. The business is not prohibited by State or local law in the place where the business is located
2. Within 30 days after the federal firearms license application is approved the business will comply with the requirements of State and local law applicable to the conduct of the business
3. The business will not be conducted under the federal firearms license until the requirements of State and local law applicable to the business have been met
4. The applicant has sent or delivered a form to the chief law enforcement officer where the business is located notifying the officer that the applicant intends to apply for a license.
5. Secure gun storage and safety devices will be available at any place in which firearms are sold under the license to persons who are not licensees

As well, an individual who does not possess a federal firearms license may not sell a modern firearm to a resident of another. However, antique firearms are exempt from these sections of the law in most states. Antique firearms are defined as those manufactured before 1899 by US federal law, or modern replicas thereof that do not use cartridges.

Before engaging in the sale of any fire arm make sure to comply with all federal firearms license and state requirements.