How to Apply for a Class 2 & 3 Firearms License
Federal firearms licenses are required by The Firearms Owners` Protection Act of 1986. According to the NRA-ILA website, this act requires that "persons engaged in the business of dealing in, manufacturing, or importing firearms, or manufacturing or importing ammunition, obtain a Federal Firearms License." A Class 2 firearms license is needed for a manufacturer of firearms. A Class 3 firearms license is needed to become a dealer of firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has 60 days to respond to your application.
Instructions
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Identify a commercial location from which you plan to do business. Make sure this location will allow you to operate under your Federal Firearms License. Your location will need security cameras, a gunsafe, trigger locks for all firearms and a lockable metal barricade.
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Notify the police department in the area you plan to conduct your firearms business. Submit an official notice of intention to apply for a Federal Firearms License. You can also get your fingerprint cards while at the police station.
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Visit ATF.gov and purchase Form 5310.12. This is the Federal Firearms License application packet. You may also call the ATF to order these forms.
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Fill out Form 5310.12 when you receive it. You will also need to fill out Form 5330.20. This is the Certificate of Compliance form.
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Enclose certified checks with your application. You will need a $200 check for the Class 3 license, unless you plan on selling armor-piercing ammunition or destructive devices. In that case, enclose a $3,000 check. Destructive devices include grenades, bombs, poison gas or calibers of .50. The Class 2 license requires a $150 check for most firearms, $30 for ammunition or $3,000 for destructive devices.
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Mail your completed forms, two passport-sized photographs of yourself, fingerprint cards and checks to the regional offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives via certified mail.
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References
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