I had an FFL for about 20 years. At the time that I got mine it was not really hard to get. I think it is more work and more expensive now than it was then. The regulations dicourage the small gun shop. Contact the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms as they will issue the permits and keep the records. I turned mine in when clinton was elected. I wanted nothing to do with a government with him in it.[:@]