doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Curios & Relics License

Is it worth the hassle and expense to get one of these? It seems that every seller, vendor, dealer has a different take on the legalities of such a license, completely unique unto themselves of course.

Pardon my ignorance, but in a perfect world, or at least a perfect United States, does this license allow a gun that is 50 years or older to be transfered directly to the holder, essentially bypassing the FFL? Even if the original transferer does not have either?

KK,

I found it very worthwhile and never had a problem dealing with folks who understood it's purpose to collectors and limitations which rarely conflicted with my purchasing preferences in vintage sporting arms. I will be renewing mine soon.

jmc

In a word, yes. But technically you are not bypassing the FFL, because you are the FFL. Also keep in mind that certain states (the usual suspects) have laws that render the license useless.

I had one for a few years, when I was into surplus military rifles. It was fun because I could order at wholesale out of the catalogs and get piles (quite literally) of guns in the mail. I'd buy, sell, trade...postage was cheap....one could mail a rifle for $10 or $12 those days. Not anymore.

It was not really a hassle to get, just a simple form IIRC. The paperwork is dead simple too, much easier than a 4473. You just record the transaction in your bound book. What a lot of guys don't like is being subject to inspection by the BATF. Most reports are that the agents are professional and courteous, but nevertheless...some don't wish to deal with the possibility of inspection. I was never inspected.

It was worth having for the military rifles, and the discounts from Midway, Brownells, etc. However I am not sure I would get one if I was only doing a handful of purchases each year.

I'll add that I found it particularly worthwhile because I was adding a few old doubles to my collection on an annual basis. An FFL transfer in my area is about $30 not to mention the extra handling of the packaging and gun by someone who likely wouldn't appreciate the guns as much as I do. $50 for 5 years is a bargain IMO.

Thank You, gentlemen for your replies.

I would be using it for just a few transactions a year. Completely self-serving.

An example is that, in the wonderful state of Massachusetts where I live I cannot order brass or primers from out of state because they can be used to create a harmful object, i.e. a bullet/cartridge/round.

I'm almost sure this is written to include powder and actual bullets, but I've found vendors who have overlooked it, if it indeed even exists. But certainly powder and bullets can also be used in the makeing of a harmful object!

I've got a lovely Alexander Henry 450 3/4" BPE that I need to learn to make reloads for and I can't get any brass! A fellow at Buffalo Arms informed me that if I got a C & R they would be able to legally ship the brass to me.

Of course, I'm sure the odd firearm here and there would be purchased to be directly shipped to me now and again as well.

But the sad thing is that right now, the main reason I would obtain one is so I could legally buy some "old-fashioned" brass and get it shipped to me.

How sad is THAT?

It is pretty sad, but until you can get yourself to a free state, it is probably worth getting the C&R to get over this hurdle. It will also save you a few bucks between possible discounts and savings on FFL fees. Just keep in mind the inspection provision, as I mentioned above.

You can't even order brass?? Really? I knew it was bad there, but for heaven's sake, that is insane. The moonbats really have taken over.

That is it's intended use. It is a collectors license, not a 'for profit' business license.
The number of transactions you do makes no difference,,, but that it is self serving is the way it should be used.

If you start to buy & sell with it beyound a very gray area of what would be considered a collectors/accumulators hobby (making it a for profit business in other words),,better trade the 03 in on an 01FFL.


You never have to deal with 4473 forms or NICS checks. Those are set aside for 01FFL's.

You do keep a bound book of aquisitions and dispositions of the C&R's.
Most C&R holders never see a compliance check but they are subject to them non the less.
Follow the rules, keep the paper work in sparkling shape and up to date and you'll have no problems.

Aside from discounts, having shipments come right to the license address, not having to pay a transfer fee thru an 01FFl, being able to purchase at a shop or gunshow on the 03FFL w/o 4473 & NICS are some of the advantages.
Not all 01's will accept them and some State laws might not allow the purchase.

Lots of good info posted so far but here is another forum if you decide to go the 03 FFL route.

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/bparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums

Like others have said you must keep a bound book (for all acquisitions and dispositions that occur while you are licensed) and sometimes have to point out to 01 FFL's the 50 years old OR on the C&R list but other then that its easy.

This might sound like paranoia, but does possession of one of these licenses essentially open up your entire house to scrutiny by the BATF or just your relevant book(s)?

I have only heard of a few times that a compliance inspection for a 03 FFL was done and in each case the option was given to bring your bound book to their office and not have to deal with them in your home.
If your doing something in your home you would rather not have the government see however (book making for instance)I would not recommend to get a FFL as it will give them an excuse to skip the warrant part.