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....
Ryan Cleckner
Firearms 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 Oregon (OR) [By a Firearms Attorney]
America is one of the only countries in the world where individuals can possess and sell firearms without having to worry about oppressive gun laws (in most states). If you want to open up your own gun shop, you can do so with relative ease in many states — just like...
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...
ATF’s “Options to Reduce or Modify Firearms Regulations” plan leaked.
Options to Reduce or Modify Firearms Regulations Ronald TurkAssociate Deputy Director (Chief Operating Officer) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 20 Jan 2017 "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right...
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...
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...
Silencer Would NOT Have Made Vegas Shooting Worse
Despite what Hillary Clinton tweeted after the horrible Las Vegas shooting, a silencer would not have made the shooting worse. I make this claim for three reasons: 1 - Silencers don't work like she thinks they do, 2 - There is no current law preventing the shooter...
Guide to Getting Your FFL License in South Dakota (SD)
The requirements are few to get your FFL in South Dakota. At Rocket FFL, we want to make the South Dakota gun dealers’ federal license process easy as possible. We will discuss in this article: FFL Cost in South Dakota Steps to getting your FFL in South Dakota Federal...
[2026 Update] How to Get Your FFL License in California
When it comes to the process of applying for your Federal Firearms License (FFL), each state has its own unique set of rules and regulations that you must follow. Local zoning laws can cause some sticky problems in becoming a gun dealer. California is notorious for...
Enhanced Background Check Act 2021 (HR 1446) Explained
The Democrats are planning on ramming through their first two pieces of gun legislation. This bill, HR 1446, or the Enhanced Background Check Act of 2021 and also HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2021. HR 1446 was introduced on March 1, 2021, and has been...
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...
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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