Ryan Cleckner

Ryan Cleckner Fox NewsFirearms Attorney, Best-Selling Author & Founder of RocketFFL

Ryan Cleckner is a firearms attorney, best-selling author, and founder of RocketFFL, where he has helped more than 20,000 students learn how to get an FFL and operate a firearms business.

Ryan's firearms-industry experience includes serving as a Vice President for Remington Outdoor Company and as Federal Government Relations Manager for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). As an attorney, he has represented hundreds of FFLs in firearms-related legal and ATF compliance matters.

Ryan has taught Constitutional Law at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, testified before Congress on firearms law and ATF-related issues, and regularly appears in national media as a firearms legal expert.

Before becoming an attorney, Ryan served as a special operations sniper in the U.S. Army's 1st Ranger Battalion, including two deployments to Afghanistan. He is the best-selling author of the Long Range Shooting Handbook, which has sold more than 250,000 copies, as well as Advanced Long Range Shooting and other firearms books.

Through RocketFFL, Ryan focuses on making complicated firearms laws, ATF requirements, and compliance topics easier to understand.

Areas of Expertise

  • Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs)
  • ATF compliance
  • Federal firearms law
  • NFA and SOT requirements
  • Firearms business operations
  • Firearms training and long-range shooting

Articles by Ryan Cleckner

how to get your ffl in arkansas

How to Get Your FFL in Arkansas

Deciding to apply for a Federal Firearms License (FFL) can be an exciting first step toward serving your community in a new way. Becoming an FFL holder allows you to legally buy, sell, and transfer firearms while providing a valuable service to local firearm owners....

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how to get your ffl in alaska

How to Get Your FFL in Alaska

A growing number of people across the country are choosing to serve their communities as Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders. Under federal law, FFL holders are authorized to engage in the business of selling, transferring, and distributing firearms. There are just...

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Prohibited Persons / Firearm Possession [2026]

Prohibited Persons / Firearm Possession [2026]

Under federal law, “Prohibited persons” may not possess firearms or ammunition. It is also unlawful to knowingly give a prohibited person firearms or ammunition. Those restrictions may seem straight-forward, but there are unique definitions and exceptions that apply...

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how to get your ffl in alabama

How to Get Your FFL in Alabama

A growing number of people across the country are choosing to serve their communities as Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders. Under federal law, FFL holders are authorized to engage in the business of selling, transferring, and distributing firearms. There are just...

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Firearm Background Checks

Firearm Background Checks

Before purchasing a firearm from a licensed gun dealer (Federal Firearm License or "FFL") federal background check requirements must be met. This means that the customer must complete a federal form and, in most cases, undergo a criminal background check. Firearm...

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how to get your ffl in new hampshire

4 Steps to Get Your FFL in New Hampshire (NH)

America is one of the only countries in the world where individuals can own firearms with little to no government intervention. If you want to open your own gun shop, the process can be relatively straightforward in many states, including New Hampshire. The first step...

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