Lehmann Major List, PLLC
A Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”) is an individual or business licensed to sell firearms by the federal government. A federal license is required for any person who wants to “engage in the business” of selling firearms. Additionally, there are state and local licensing and regulatory requirements for such a business in New Hampshire. According to federal law, a person is “engaged in the business” if such person “devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms, but such term shall not include a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms.”
An experienced New Hampshire FFL lawyer can provide your business with advice and representation regarding all aspects of federal, state, and local compliance. A skilled firearms attorney is well-versed on local and federal laws and can build an airtight case.
Once an FFL has been approved, a licensed gun dealer is required to strictly comply with ongoing regulatory responsibilities. All buyers must be subjected to a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (the “NICS”) prior to a firearm being transferred. A Federal Firearms Licensee must also comply with strict federal record-keeping requirements, such as the proper completion and preservation of Firearm Transaction Records (Form 4473) and the dealer’s bound book documenting the acquisition and disposition of all firearm inventory. A gun dealer must also understand the best practices to avoid civil liability, such as lawsuits for negligent entrustment.
If you are a gun dealer who is just beginning to operate your business, the ATF will provide you with limited information that covers only the basics of legal compliance and proper operation. A New Hampshire attorney with experience in Federal Firearms Licenses at Lehmann Major List, PLLC, can provide you with comprehensive support so that you can efficiently adopt best practices to run a successful and legally compliant business. A lawyer can help you ensure that your first or next ATF compliance inspection goes smoothly without deficiency findings or violations.
The New Hampshire FFL lawyers at Lehmann Major List, PLLC, have experience representing FFLs in civil court litigation, including matters involving national anti-gun groups. If your business is the subject of a threatened or pending lawsuit, call our Federal Firearm Licensee lawyers as soon as possible to set up a confidential consultation. We are ready to begin working on your defense immediately.
At Lehmann Major List, PLLC, we whole-heartedly support the Second Amendment and appreciate the public service offered by firearms dealers. We have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges that FFLs face and know the importance of keeping your gun business running without disruption. Our services range from civil liability defense to assisting with National Firearms Act questions and everything in between. We also assist with day-to-day business challenges such as inventory/ammunition contracts and employment issues. The New Hampshire FFL attorneys at Lehmann Major List are qualified firearms litigators who are accustomed to working with licensed dealers in cases of federal compliance, liability, and general business matters. Call on Lehmann Major List, PLLC, for all of your FFL legal needs.
