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 Oregon! All you need to do is get your Federal Firearms License (FFL).

An FFL allows you to sell firearms such as handguns, long guns, ammo, and other NFA items. You may also sell guns at gun shows, handle firearm transfers, collect curios, and become a pawnbroker with your FFL.

As long as you have an active FFL and follow all Federal and State laws, you’ll be able to serve your community as a gun dealer in no time.

In this article, we will discuss:

• FFL Cost
• Steps to getting your FFL in Oregon
• Federal Requirements for an FFL
• Oregon State Requirements for an FFL
• Oregon Local (City/Town) FFL Requirements

FFL Cost in Oregon

How much does an FFL cost? An FFL in Oregon costs between $30-$200 for the first 3 years.

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

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

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 (such as silencers, short-barrel rifles, machine guns, destructive devices, etc.), you must pay additional costs in the form of an SOT license registration.

Steps to Getting Your FFL

To get your FFL in Oregon, 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 for every state in America (more details below).

Step 2: Choose Your FFL Type

Second, ensure you apply for the appropriate FFL type. Depending on your business intentions, you will need to make sure you choose the license type that will allow you to lawfully operate.

Most FFL dealers operate under a Type 01 license (for most firearms dealers and gunsmiths) or a Type 07 license (for manufacturing). You can both manufacture and sell firearms with a Type 07 license.

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 your gun store to be considered an SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer). You’ll apply as an SOT after being assigned your FFL number.

You’ll need to be an 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, and arguably most important step, is to take an FFL course from a qualified instructor.

The logistics of getting your FFL License can be confusing, which is why I developed Rocket FFL based on decades of research and work as an attorney in the firearms industry. This is to help you achieve your goal as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It is not required by law for you to take a course. However, I’m a firearms attorney specializing in ATF compliance, and I could get rich by letting people improperly apply for their FFL and charge my hourly rate to fix it for them later… Trust me, you don’t want that to happen.

Instead, I highly recommend getting our course and learning how to do everything correctly the first time!

For the most value, get the FFL Course and SOT Course combo. You’ll learn how to apply to buy and sell silencers and Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs) in addition to standard firearms covered by just your FFL. Just select the course upgrade at checkout.

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 corporation, or will influence the business’s practices and policies.

Once all 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 in-person 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.

This may require multiple forms and extra steps depending on your location. However, if you took the Rocket FFL course, you’ll have every detail and access to all the necessary forms 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 years of age
• Are a US Citizen or legal permanent resident
• Are legally permitted to 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.

Oregon State Requirements for an FFL

Oregon state requirements for an FFL can be broken down into two categories:

1. State licensing requirements
2. Business registration requirements

Oregon State Licensing Requirements

Luckily for Oregon residents, there are no additional licensing requirements or state laws for gun dealers beyond getting your FFL. This means that your federal firearms license is all you’ll need to be one of the distributors of handguns, rifles, ammo, and more in the state of Oregon.

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

Oregon Business Registration Requirements

Regardless of what type of business you’re starting, you’ll need to register for a business license in the state you’re located in (in this case, the state of Oregon).

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

To register your FFL business in Oregon, you can visit the Secretary of State website. It provides all the information you’ll need on how to start your business!

Oregon Local (City/Town) FFL Requirements

The last (and often trickiest) part of setting up your firearms business is following all zoning requirements. It is at this point that you will need to make sure that the location you choose allows for the operation of a firearms business.

It’s common to inquire about an FFL for a home-based firearms business and be told you can’t operate in a residential area. However, this is often due to a misunderstanding of the type of business you would be running.

When a zoning department hears “FFL,” they may assume regular retail business and heavy foot traffic (which doesn’t fly in residential locations). Home-based FFLs, however, don’t have heavy foot traffic. They almost exclusively deal in FFL transfers and make money from the transfer fees.

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

Fortunately for gun dealers, there are no city-specific FFL restrictions even in large cities like Portland.

Oregon FFL Summary

Oregon is a very gun-friendly state. If you decide to pursue FFL licensing to become an Oregon gun dealer, you shouldn’t face many challenges beyond the initial FFL process (which can become complex).

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 being the newest owner of an Oregon FFL.

However, even in states as gun-friendly as Oregon, there are still some areas where it can get confusing. This is why we strongly recommend you take our course on how to get your FFL.

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 Oregon FFL Licensing

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

An FFL in Oregon costs anywhere from $30 to $200 for 3 years. For a full breakdown of the cost of an FFL, check here.

Do I need an FFL in Oregon?

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 Oregon require extra licensing for FFLs?

No, there are no additional licensing requirements for FFLs in Oregon.

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

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

Can I get an FFL to save money on guns?

No, you should not get an FFL just to save money on guns. One of the main requirements for getting your FFL is “business intent,” meaning 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 a Oregon 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 to 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 Oregon: Ready to start your business? You’ll need to register it with the Oregon Secretary of State! You can check out this website to find all the information you’ll need on 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).