Snake eater is right.
I recently received my FFL based out of my home. Some states, MA in particular prohibit its subjects from possessing an FFL at their residence.
Depending on the size of your operation it may be very simple.
My nieghborhood is zoned residential. However the size and scope of my business falls well within the legal definition of a "Customary Home Occupation" Which is a standard that most town's zoning enforcement officers use to determine if a home business is ok.
It has to do with
1) number of comings and goings to the address
2) hazardous matereals
3) signage
4) number of employees.
I think you get the point.
The ATF will not give you an FFL unless you have a zoning permit from your town to operate the business out of your home. PERIOD.
They were very specific about it with me. I later found out that they actually went my town hall and pulled a copy of the permit, even though I provided one with my FFL application. They were very thorough. DO NOT try to finesse this point.
In my case, I came to a negotiated agreement with my Zoning Enforcement Officer that I would not have more than 2 face to face transactions in my home per month.
The thing is that a small time "kitchen table" FFL is well within the spirit and letter of the zoning laws in most towns, with their Customary Home Occupation language.
Considering the fact that your zoned commercial, you have a leg up on most people.
Finally, go to
www.ffl123.com and pay the guy his $40 for his help. It is WELL WORTH IT. He removes all the mystery from the process.
If you want to discuss please don't hesitate to PM me your email and/or phone number. I'd be happy to help in any way.
In a nut shell though, it all comes down to getting local zoning approval.
Don
p.s. The limitation is not a problem for me. Most of my sales come from my students and word of mouth as well as internet sales. The face to face sales typically are done at the range or somewhere I'm giving instruction.
p.p.s. The biggest issue is actually getting a wholesale account with one of the major distributors with a home based business. Many do not want to do business with "kitchen table" type dealer. They prefer to work with stocking dealers. In contrast, small manufacturers have been very happy to set me up as a direct dealer. This has been great. Examples include Wilson combat, nighthawk custom, les baer custom, CMMG (Best .22 AR on the market because its actually built out of ar parts), Spikes, STI, Dawson Precision.
