How to Get Your FFL in Arizona: Step-by-Step Guide

With a Federal Firearms License (FFL), you can become one of the few people in your community that can legally sell firearms. This is not only a valuable service but also an exciting venture to try.

There are just a few requirements to follow to get your FFL in Arizona. At Rocket FFL, we hope to make this process as easy as possible, eliminating as much hassle as we can from the process.

In this article, we will discuss:

• FFL Cost
• Steps to getting your FFL in Arizona
• Federal Requirements for an FFL
• Arizona State Requirements for an FFL
• Arizona Local (City/Town) FFL Requirements
• FAQs and additional resources

Arizona FFL Cost

How much does an FFL cost? An FFL in Arizona can cost between $30-$200 for the first 3 years of licensure.

When you fill out an FFL application with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), you can choose from several license types.

Each of these license types varies in price due to the different functions they allow the federal firearms licensee to perform. This includes whether you’re just trying to sell a few handguns, incorporate gunsmithing, or handle NFA items, for example.

All types of FFLs allow you to do FFL transfers.

Each of these activities requires a different type of license for which the application fees range in price.

FFL License Cost by Type

To handle NFA items (silencers, short-barrel rifles, machine guns, destructive devices, etc.), you must register for an SOT license, which is an additional cost.

Steps to Getting Your FFL

To get your FFL in Arizona, you need to:

1. Ensure you meet the federal and state requirements for an FFL
2. Choose your FFL type
3. Take an FFL course
4. Submit your FFL application forms

Step 1: Ensure You Meet FFL Federal Requirements

First, you need to make sure that you meet all Federal and state requirements. These are the same regardless of the state in which you are applying for an FFL (more details below).

Step 2: Choose Your FFL Type

Second, make sure you apply for the appropriate type of FFL. Depending on the vision you have for your business, choosing from the types of FFL options will allow you to operate lawfully.

More often than not, you will probably need either a Type 01 license (for most firearms dealers and gunsmiths) or a Type 07 license (for manufacturing). A Type 07 license lets you both sell and manufacture firearms.

To determine what type of FFL best suits your needs, read this article, where we break it down.

Some types of firearms and accessories require you to be a SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer). You’ll apply as a SOT after being assigned your FFL number.

You’ll need to be a SOT if you plan to sell these NFA items:

• Silencers
• Full-auto machine guns
• Short-barreled rifles (rifles with a barrel shorter than 16″ or an overall length under 26″)
• Short-barreled shotguns (shotguns with a barrel shorter than 18″ or an overall length under 26″)
• Destructive devices (grenades, mines, bombs, etc.)
• Any other weapons (pen guns, specific special handguns, etc.)

The table below describes each FFL License type and which SOT Class you’ll need to apply for after getting your FFL to sell firearms covered under the NFA.

We cover all of the specifics of SOT classes and the NFA in our Get Your FFL Course.

Step 3: Take an FFL Course

The next step is to take an FFL course from a qualified instructor. The logistics of getting your FFL License can be problematic depending on what state you are trying to set up in.

That’s why I developed Rocket FFL based on decades of research and work as an attorney in the firearms industry to help you get your FFL hassle-free.

The below course will not only cover getting your FFL, but it also covers everything you need to know to get your FFL in Arizona.

I’m a firearms attorney that specializes in ATF compliance. Instead of getting rich by waiting for FFL dealers to get in legal trouble, I developed this course to get ahead of the curve and help you get your federal firearms license application right the first time.

I highly recommend that you get the FFL Course and SOT Course combo. For an extra $10, learn how to apply to become an SOT; this way, you can buy and sell silencers and Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs) in addition to standard firearms covered by just your FFL.

Step 4: Submit Your FFL Application Forms

Finally, once you’ve made sure you meet all requirements (federal and state), verified the appropriate FFL type for your business, and taken the Rocket FFL course, you are ready to “pull the trigger” and apply for your FFL!

Once you submit all the forms required by the ATF, they will start the process by completing a background check on all “responsible persons” for the business. A responsible person (RP) is either the sole proprietor, a partner in the business, or will have managerial power over its practices and policies.

When the application paperwork is verified as correct, and all background checks are complete, the application is sent to a local ATF field office. An industry operations investigator (IOI) will set up an interview with you to make sure all information is still correct and that you are following all state and local requirements.

After the interview, the IOI will make a recommendation to either approve or deny your FFL application. Assuming you passed, the ATF field office supervisor will then submit the approved application to the Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC), and you will be the next owner of an FFL!

According to the ATF website, the entire process takes about 60 days from when a completed application was first received. However, depending on the state you are setting up in, the ATF may require multiple forms and extra steps during the process. But if you took the Rocket FFL course, you’ll have every detail and access to all the necessary documents to quickly apply for your Federal Firearms License.

Federal Requirements for an FFL

The federal requirements for getting an FFL are the same for every state.

To get an FFL, the federal government requires that you:

• Are at least 21
• Are a US Citizen or legal permanent resident
• Can legally possess firearms and ammunition (no felony convictions, have not been a psychological patient or controlled substance user, etc.)
• Have a predetermined location for conducting FFL activities (this includes home-based FFLs)
• Have never violated the Gun Control Act (GCA) or related regulations
• Do not make any false statements/claims on your FFL application

Once you satisfy all of these requirements, you can then move on to the state-specific requirements.

Arizona State Requirements for an FFL

Arizona State requirements for an FFL can be broken down into two categories:

1. State licensing requirements
2. Business registration requirements

Arizona State Licensing Requirements

The state of Arizona has no special licensing requirements or state laws for the FFL application process! This means that your FFL is all you’ll need to be one of the distributors of handguns, rifles, ammo, and more in the state of Arizona.

However, if you move your FFL to another state, you may have state-level registration requirements in your new state.

Arizona Business Registration Requirements

No matter what type of business you plan on starting, you will always need to register it in the state you will be operating in.

Even if your gun shop is registered in another state (we suggest this in our Get Your FFL course), you’ll still need to have an official presence in Arizona.

This will require setting up a business license and several other steps. To get started on setting up your future firearms business, check out this resource from the Arizona Corporation Commission on how to set up a business.

Arizona Local (City/Town) FFL Requirements

Local zoning requirements can get sticky when applying for an FFL. The location you use as a base of operations (often a home-based FFL) must allow for a business.

If you’re told you can’t operate your home-based FFL in a residential area, don’t give up yet! This often happens due to a misunderstanding about the type of business activity held there.

When a zoning department hears “FFL,” they may assume regular retail business and heavy foot traffic (which is only allowed in areas zoned for brick-and-mortar businesses). But most home-based FFLs don’t have retail-level traffic and only have customers stop by on occasion.

We cover this and more, including requirements for specific business hours, in our Get Your FFL course.

Arizona FFL Summary

As you can see, getting your Arizona FFL doesn’t have to be overly complex or challenging.

As long as you meet the Federal and State requirements, choose the appropriate license type, take our online course, and fill in the proper forms, you’ll be on your way to becoming the newest owner of an Arizona FFL.

But I’ll warn you — without our course and the decades of know-how it offers, you can expect to lose a lot of hours getting it right on your own.

With our course, you can, with confidence, fill out your forms and get through the process with ease. Trust me — knowing that you are running your business safely and within all the confines of both federal and local laws will be a massive load off your mind.

So, if you’re ready, let’s get started!

FAQ for Arizona FFL Licensing

How much does it cost to get an FFL in Arizona?

An FFL in Arizona Costs anywhere from $30 to $200 for 3 years. For a full breakdown of the cost of an FFL, read this.

Do I need an FFL in Arizona?

Yes. If you plan to sell, transfer, manufacture, or do anything else for profit involving firearms, you are legally required to have an active FFL.

Does Arizona Require extra licensing for FFLs?

No, there are no additional licensing requirements for FFLs in Arizona beyond standard federal requirements.

Do I need to register a business for an FFL in Arizona?

Yes, if you are forming a business for your FFL, it must be registered in Arizona.

Can I get an FFL to save money on guns?

No, you should not get an FFL just to save money on guns. You must have “business intent” to obtain an FFL, which means you intend to operate a firearms-related business.

However, you may wait to start your business until after you get your FFL number.

Extra Resources For Getting an Arizona FFL

US Code § 923: Code § 923 covers federal regulations for the import, manufacture, and dealing of firearms and ammunition. This is the federal law that requires those operating firearms businesses to get an FFL.

US CFR § 478.47 – Issuance of license.: This code explains how a Federal Firearms License is issued, including who must assign the license number. It requires the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) to qualify applicants based on a predetermined list of requirements and issue Federal Firearms Licenses.

If a correctly submitted FFL application has been submitted on ATF Form 7, the Chief of the Federal Firearms Licensing Center (a department at the ATF) must issue the license and assign a serial number to the licensee.

Gun Control Act (GCA): The GCA of 1968 establishes stricter laws on the firearms industry than were already present in the NFA. New regulations regarding firearms offenses, firearms/ammunition sales to “prohibited persons,” and federal jurisdiction for “destructive devices” (bombs, grenades, mines, etc.) were created with the GCA.

Starting a Business in Arizona: Need help finding out where to start with your new business? Check out this article from the Arizona Corporation Commission showing you how to do just that!

FFL Types: Use this guide to make sure that you choose the right type of Federal Firearms License for what you want to do.

Home-Based FFL: Don’t want to pay for a storefront but wish to operate as an FFL holder from your home? We explain how to do it from start to finish.

AUTHOR

Ryan Cleckner

Check out Ryan Cleckner 's Courses

Ryan Cleckner is a former special operations sniper and current attorney specializing in firearms law/ATF compliance and is a firearms industry executive (former govt. relations manager for NSSF, Vice President of Remington Outdoor Company, and a SAAMI voting board member).