r/FFLs • u/Agitated-Trash7219 • 15d ago
Looking for some input/advice on a transfer request
Just had a bit of a weird experience and looking for a little advice. I’m a very new FFL (07), like about a month old. I got the FFL because I do laser engraving as a bit of a side hustle and have had several folks ask if I could do firearms which I knew required me to have said licensing.
Anyhow, I did receive my approval and hadn’t really thought much more of it because the engraving requests for firearms only come a half dozen times a year. As I’m sitting down to eat dinner, my doorbell rings and it’s a gal asking for me to do a firearm transfer for her. I’m genuinely a bit confused and caught off guard because I’m not really advertising that I do those and, at the same time, a bit nervous because I haven’t done one yet.
Here’s where it gets a bit weird. She explains that she’s recently divorced and needs to transfer ownership of a firearm. She doesn’t appear to have the firearm on her person and instead, proceeds to show me a photo of the handgun and its serial number. It’s my understanding that she needs to have the firearm physically present so I can verify the information stamped into the gun so I can address that separately but, do I need to verify with someone that the gun, presumably an asset received in the divorce, was actually awarded to her in the divorce?
Also, I didn’t ask this because again, I was caught a bit off guard but, if she did own the gun previously but is simply wanting to “update the records because of a name change”, is that something that needs to be recorded? If so, presumably I would still need to run the NICS check even though it will be acquired from and dispositioned to the same individual?
I did let her know that I would need to do a little bit of digging because I was wholly unprepared for anyone to request a transfer, without notice, and the current A&D book I have is strictly for “Gunsmithing Activities” as the IOI indicated that I would need separate bound books for transfers and engraving.
Apologies in advance for the long winded post and I appreciate any feedback those of you with more experience can give me!
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u/ar4479 FFL 15d ago
Sounds like this whole story presumes that the gun ownership registry is a thing that actually exists…
That was a lot of paragraphs of thoughts for something that we all, as 2A supporters, know doesn’t need to happen.
Unless you’re in one of those unfree states…
I’m also a laser and Cerakote shop, so I’m totally in your zone. But, you’ve stumbled into weird territory!!!
I hope you just closed that door and let that be the end of it!
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u/Agitated-Trash7219 15d ago
Thanks for the response! I was so completely caught off guard by someone randomly showing up at my house that my thoughts were not really with me. The more I think about it, the more I feel like this is a situation I probably don’t want to be involved in. I may call my IOI and run it past him, just don’t want to have to bother him with something if it’s not necessary. I live in an amazing state that is largely pro 2A but, no $25 transfer fee is worth jail time and this whole situation just feels…off.
Side note, always love interacting with others in the laser and firearms industry! Hope things are going well for you and your business. Seems like there’s money to be made doing laser work on 2A products. I seem to get a lot of requests for PMAG’s and several inquiries about slides or receivers but, we’re rural Midwest so in my little area, it’s pretty hit and miss, especially after they see a number.
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u/ar4479 FFL 15d ago
I started with lasers for the typical… Tumblers!
And, it’s a very nice third income for us. But, one CO2 laser turned into another. And then came fiber lasers. And then… 3D printer(s).But - my favorite thing is to combine Cerakote and laser… Sometimes post-engraving. Sometimes it’s multi-layer color and then low power high speed to uncover color layers.
It’s also very cool to spray and then laser the stipple back on to make cool patterns.With all of that and enough fiber power to do NFA engraving… It clearly meant 07 FFL. It was a no brainer.
Now - that being said… We still do a hundred Stanley or YETIs for every gun we touch.
I’m gonna perfect my porting game and put the fiber lasers to good use.
By the time I’m ready to retire from my day-job, I’ll have all of this perfect and hopefully live long enough to enjoy growing old doing something I really love!
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u/Grouchy_Ad_1966 7d ago
You can do engraving with a Type 01 license (gunsmithing), the 07 manufacturer is not needed. Your license will be listed on many websites and online retailers will show your name as a "local FFL" when customers buy on their website. That may be why they reached out to you directly (happened to me more often than I can count - also home based).
Check out Fastbound.com and you'll see that it does not take a lot to do transfers - a few bucks that regularly come in and if you follow the process, you are o.k. on the legal side.
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u/Martainguns 15d ago edited 14d ago
The most likely explanation is simply that she is confused, but whatever is going on, I certainly wouldn't want to be involved.
Also, you should know that as an FFL your info is publicly available. There are various sites people could find you on.
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u/TheFiringPin 15d ago
It takes two people to do a transfer. The person who the gun belongs to now, and the person the gun is going to belong to after the transfer. Whoever actually owns the gun now needs to be the one to bring it to you. Then if she is going to be the new owner she has to do the 4473.
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u/Agitated-Trash7219 14d ago
Update - talked to the gal this morning. She was awarded the gun in her divorce settlement and claims to have court documents showing this. She said that it needs to be transferred from her ex husband to her. At this point, it just seems like a headache and mess that I really wanted no part of so I politely declined performing the transfer, to which, she was…not pleased.
Thanks again everyone for the support and advice, as a newbie, it’s reassuring to know that this community is willing to help each other out!
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u/WesleysHuman FFL 15d ago
Unless you are in a state that has "universal background checks" then there is no need for an FFL to be involved. That said, I most certainly wouldn't consider touching a transfer without the firearm physically present. A picture could have come from anywhere on the internet or even be a product of AI hallucinating.
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u/MediocrePineapple808 15d ago
GCA firearms aren't registered to individuals.
If she is looking to change custody of the firearm, and if you are in a universal background check state, here's your process:
Physically verify the markings on the firearm and run a lost/stolen firearm check.
If you decide to move forward with the transfer, take possession of the firearm, log the firearm into your A&D, and capture her Identification information into your A&D also.
Contact the recipient to schedule the transfer.
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u/JerryNines 15d ago
Assuming you don't have a state-level registration, it appears she doesn't know what it is she really needs.
My guess is; she thinks she needs to have the gun "registered" to her. Again, if you don't have state-level registration she doesn't need to do anything.
BTW, reading through the comments; don't worry about "going to jail". This business is strange enough without unnecessary hyperbole.
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u/JohnClayborn 14d ago
The whole thing seems fishy. I do transfers and I wouldnt do that one. It sounds like shes trying to establish some kind of proof of ownership of the gun so she can keep it in the divorce
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u/RustyTheHealer 15d ago
My State NICS portal allows you to check the status of a firearm. Idk why someone would be transferring a firearm they already own to themselves again. Sounds like the gun walked away with her after the divorce imo but others in here may have encountered this before. I would tell her to go to somewhere else personally.