Getting an 03 FFL(Curio & Relic) is very easy and inexpensive. $30 for 3 years.

Getting an 01 FFL (regular dealer) is hard and expensive. You have to have an actual store-front, with proper security and a storage safe. You also have to meet Federal, state, and local laws. I believe it is $200 for the license to begin with.


I got my 03 over the summer. You just fill out the App. from the BATFE, and send it in with you money and send a copy to the Chief law enforcement in your area. It is good for 3 years, and at Brownells and Midway you get dealer pricing. And aI can buy guns and have them shipped right to me if they are over 50 years of age (relic), or are deemed a collectable by the BATFE (curio).

I did some ivestigating into opening up a shop. Bare minimum start-up cost was just shy of $100,000. That was renting a building, and putting in the neccesary security and upgrades, and a semi-small inventory to start with. You could probably get by cheaper, but it would depend on the building you were looking at. Good luck