Longtime firearms owner, I recently ordered a rimfire rifle from an online retailer and opted to have it shipped to a new (to me) local FFL for transfer paperwork. It arrived, yesterday. Today, the FFL contacted me and said I'd have to e-mail him enlarged photocopies of my DL, CPL, provide DOB, SSA number and other details in advance of coming into his shop. When I told him I would not mail him all of these confidential docs in advance, he encouraged me to find another FFL, next time, and scheduled me to come in several days from now to complete the transfer and pick up my purchase. I'm sure this is because he was annoyed. I'm not fond of sharing confidential info on the internet. As a buyer, I've always supplied personal data in person, at the time of completing the ATF 4473. This guy charges $45 for transfers. Anyone comfortable with his process?

Guy seems to be a piece of work. On the other hand, I have never had a firearm shipped to an FFL I didn't have a
working relationship with (previous sales,etc).

why does he need that? is he running a check before you get there or typing up the paperwork beforehand?

I think he's trying to save himself time at my expense/effort. He is not primarily a firearms dealer. I guess he uses his business address as a storefront and couldn't care less about a buyer's ID security. I'll never use him again. Unfortunately, he's listed as a "Preferred FFL Dealer" on the Bud's Gun Shop site.

I’d dump him in a second. There is always another FFL that can help you without the BS.

The second transfer I did as a new FFL, the guy showed up with no cash and a DL with a non-current address on it. So I make it clear on the phone now before I drive to my office what all I need to see. I don't need to see it in advance. But if they just moved here and have no GIID with a current address on it, no deal.

DUMP him for the bad service, disrespect and high transfer price to boot.

I'd send the rifle back and tell him to go pound sand and that I'll tell everyone I know to never use him.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I'd send the rifle back and tell him to go pound sand

That would not be fair to the seller, who shipped the rifle to the FFL that was chosen by the buyer. Just get the unpleasant task over with, then leave appropriate reviews of the FFL wherever you can and, of course, never use him again.

I am an 01 FFL.

Find another FFL. I'll start there.

Your SSN is NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED to be disclosed. It says so on the 4473 in Q16 "Social Security Number (optional...)". I tell my customers that if I do not have it, I cannot lose control of it.

A CPL is not required per federal law, nor per Michigan law. Especially for a rifle!! The sole exception is if you use your CPL to bypass the background check.

What were the "other details" he wants?

As for what is needed, you will need to provide a .gov-issued photo-ID (e.g., driver's license) with specific information (e.g., legal name, DOB, current residence address).

I work at a brick and mortar store part time in Michigan. Whenever a customer phones about a transfer whether in the “I just bought this from….” or when we phone to notify its arrival we remind them that under state law to facilitate their handgun transfer a Michigan CPL or License To Purchase is required.

We do not ask for any information from the customer until they are in the store.

One and a half years after the requirement was put in place there are still people not aware of the change.

And yes, a Michigan CPL allows us to bypass the background check.