Federal Firearms License

To curb the illegal use of firearms and enforce the Federal firearms laws, ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections. In addition to aiding the enforcement of Federal requirements for gun purchases, compliance inspections of existing licensees focus on assisting law enforcement to identify and apprehend criminals who illegally purchase firearms. The inspections also help improve the likelihood that crime gun traces will be successful, since inspectors educate licensees in proper record keeping and business practices.

Other Information

Duration of License

Authority

US Code, 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479, National Firearms Act (26 US Code, Chapter 53)

Exam: No Exam
License Type: Secondary License (Other License is Prerequisite)

Fees

Application
$0.00
New License
$0.00
Renewal
$0.00
Reciprocity:
$0.00
Miscellaneous:
$0.00

Other Requirements

Is 21 years of age or over; Is not prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition, nor in the case of a corporation, partnership, or association, is any individual possessing, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the corporation, partnership, or association prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition; Has not willfully violated the Gun Control Act (GCA) or its regulations; Has not willfully failed to disclose material information or has not made false statements concerning material facts in connection with his or her application; Has premises for conducting business or collecting; and The applicant certifies that: the business to be conducted under the license is not prohibited by State or local law in the place where the licensed premises is located; within 30 days after the application is approved the business will comply with the requirements of State and local law applicable to the conduct of the business; the business will not be conducted under the license until the requirements of State and local law applicable to the business have been met; the applicant has sent or delivered a form to the chief law enforcement officer where the premises is located notifying the officer that the applicant intends to apply for a license; and if the applicant is to be a licensed dealer, the applicant certifies that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place in which firearms are sold under the license to persons who are not licensees (“secure gun storage or safety device” is defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(34)).

Licensing Authority

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Federal Firearms Licensing Center
244 Needy Rd
Martinsburg, WV 25405-
866-662-2750

Occupational Information

Hunters and Trappers

Occupational profile

Please check with your local City, County or Municipality for area specific license requirements they may have.