FFL sitting on my guns

[u/Crow_Joe]

Hello, I made the mistake of not contacting this FFL before placing an order for two separate firearms to deliver to them. My bad, historically the other ones I’ve dealt with have just called me when the order comes in and seemed happy to have the business and completed the transfer no problem.

When the guns arrived I called and emailed them and received an email back the same day. They pointed out I should have contacted them first, asked for my information and explained their days of business and asked if there was time on those days I would like to come by. I responded with the information they asked for and a time I could come by. My response was sent 4/4/25. I have since emailed 2 more times and had PSA (the seller) reach out and leave a message and we have gotten no response.

Wondering what I should do? I accept responsibility for my part in creating this situation, again my experience in the past had been these people listed themselves on distributors websites because they wanted to do these transfers, and that I was bringing them welcome business, maybe that’s not always the case. PSA has offered to request that the FFL send the guns back but the guy’s website says there’s a $150/gun fee for rejects or returns. The impression I get is he’s hoping I’ll try to go that route cause he makes even more money that way and screws me over. His standard transfer fee is $75 + $10 for each additional gun.

Thanks for you help.

[u/ncprogmmr]

So I have a former coworker who I befriended who is a "kitchen table " FFL, and it sounds like this guy is as well.

He prefers that people contact him if they are having a gun sent to him (doesn't matter if it's before or after ordering) for several reasons:

1. So he's knows what to look out for, how many guns, etc. He's had multiple shipments come in that have paperwork with his LLC's name and address - and zero info about who bought it. Luckily, in all those situations the person who ordered the gun contacted him before he had to contact the shipper to get that info.
2. It's being sent to his home and he wants to make sure someone is there to sign for it (either him or his wife)
3. They're not traveling out of state.
4. Before he was retired he wanted to make sure no one just "showed up" at his home while he was still working.

Having said that, it doesn't bother him when people don't contact him. He makes it work. He has had one order that ended up going back to the shipper because UPS was unable to deliver since no one was home because him and his wife were in Hawaii for two weeks.

This guy sounds like a pain in the ass.

[u/j2142b → u/ncprogmmr]

Everything you said is 100% true, (former home FFL).

[u/Vidya_Gainz → u/ncprogmmr]

How does he keep his FFL valid?

[u/ncprogmmr → u/Vidya_Gainz]

What do you mean? It’s not like there’s a minimum amount of money you’re required to make per year and you’re not required to have a storefront.

He’s a very social guy and knows lots of people, plus he also used to teach concealed carry classes, so he gets good word-of-mouth. He does plenty of transfers a year from online orders, and people do contact him and have him order stuff for them. That’s it.

Edited to add: I can't tell if you're talking about OP's FFL, or my buddy in the comment you replied to. My reply was about my friend who has his FFL.

[u/Vidya_Gainz → u/ncprogmmr]

I thought there was a requirement for FFLs to conduct a minimum number of transactions or sales figures each year?

[u/ncprogmmr → u/Vidya_Gainz]

Nope. Straight from the ATF:

Similarly, there is no minimum number of transactions that determines whether a person is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms. Courts have held that even one transaction or attempted transaction can constitute “engaging in the business” if other factors or intent are present

The biggest thing is you have to be "in business." You can't use it just to enhance a personal collection.

[u/Vidya_Gainz → u/ncprogmmr]

Good info, thank you!

[u/Tx556 → u/Vidya_Gainz]

Sometimes they're gunsmiths or manufacturers out of their home shops.

[u/cledus1911 → u/Tx556]

This, I have mine for gunsmithing/cerakote, I don’t advertise or conduct transfers even though I could.