Bravo Store Systems · Free Compliance Toolkit
The Home-Based FFL Compliance Checklist
What a home-based FFL needs in place before, during, and after licensing, so an inspection at your kitchen table goes exactly like one at a storefront.
Home-based FFL
Kitchen-table dealers
Print & file
A home-based license is held to the same standard as a storefront. The bar is not lower because the premises is your house, so the work is making sure your records, storage, and zoning would survive the same inspection a retail shop gets.
Section 1 of 3
Premises & zoning
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Local zoning permits a firearms business at your address, in writing.
ATF will ask. Zoning conflicts are a leading cause of denied home-based applications.
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You can conduct business at the licensed premises as described on your application.
The premises on the license is where the activity and records must be.
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Any HOA or lease restrictions have been checked and cleared.
Section 2 of 3
Storage & security
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Inventory and the A&D book are stored securely and separately from household access.
Reasonable security is expected even at a residence.
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Firearms are accounted for at all times and not commingled with personal collection pieces.
Keep business inventory and your personal firearms clearly separated.
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Records are accessible at the premises during the hours stated on your application.
Section 3 of 3
Records & inspection readiness
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Your A&D book is current: acquisitions logged by the next business day, dispositions within seven days.
The same statute that applies to storefronts applies to you.
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4473s are complete, filed, and retained on the required schedule.
20 years completed, 5 years denied or cancelled.
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A quarterly self-audit walkthrough is signed and dated.
Evidence of self-correction is your best position if a finding ever comes up.
Reality check: the most common home-based stumble is treating the license casually because the premises is a home. Inspectors do not. Run your records exactly as a storefront would.