C&R License
 

I am considering applying for one. I know it's for older firearms. So, what can I buy with it? Especially older lugers. Is there a set year and/or age of firearm?
Many thanks

I believe it's 1946.

Most Luger's are also included with the named pistols on the ATF list regardless of age. The post war Mauser Luger's are C&R.

Go to google - put in C&R BATF - it will bring up the regulations - there are a few addendums - I was going to add it here, but its over 5 megabytes.

Along with the 50 yr rule, it includes some items and not others as C&R - such as East German Makarov's, made in the 1980's, but they were found to be special and unique - although Bulgarian Maks are not.

Over 50 yrs you can have them sent directly to your house (depending on a few states).

Ed

Keep in mind that in the papers you sign you give up your civilian rights to search and seizure as I do with my 01 FFL. The difference is that your C&R is most likely out of your home. For that reason alone, I would not do it. In my state I could have an FFL at my home but I went to great expense not to and built a shop with a different address.

The FFL03 does not give up your rights to search. They need to make appointments and you have a choice of taking your goods to them or have it done in house. They can not show up and force their way in for compliance checks.

Heres a hint. I already had my Florida concealed permit and included with the the Fed Application, I took less than a month. It worked for me!!! I Luv This State!! Eric

FFL-03 I found very useful to help in this hobby. It allows you the ability to cross state lines with out having to go thru a FFl-01 to acquire a collectable piece. Also a FFL-01 is required to turn in their A&D log book when they decide to turn in their license. A FFL-03 does not turn in their A&D log to BATF when you ever decide not to renew your license.

Enabler alert!

The C&R is also a license to spend money.

When you sign your paperwork for your C&R 03 FFL you are allowing batf full access to your records and listed firearms at the address listed on your application without a warrant or Court order. There is no requirement on their part to allow you to bring your records and firearms to another location for inspection. BATF never makes appointments...they just show up!

I am not trying to be an alarmist here. I know that BATF has generally been 'hands off' C&R holders but my point isn't based on what they do it's based on what they can do. You also have to be aware of the fine line between 'improving your collection' and acting as a dealer. You also have the responsibility to ensure the recipient of your firearm is not a felon or is unfit to possess that arm and you don't have access to NICS. Last, when you are a private collector you might get away with pleading ignorance, but when you sign that license you confirm that you understand and will conform to all Local, State and Federal laws.

Doom and gloom from the new guy FFL.
I've had a C&R FFL for 22 years now. I have had one compliance inspection in those 22 years and it was more because he literally happened to be in the neighborhood running compliance check on a dealer literally one block away from my home. It was a non-issue and took all of 45 minutes. He ran over a check list of what is required of me, asked to see my bound books, and randomly asked to see a few guns. I elected to allow him in the house rather than drag all my **** to the nearest ATF filed office an hour away in Bristol. And yes, John, CFR 478.23(c) explicitly requires them to allow me to do so. §478.23 Right of entry and examination.
(c) At the election of the licensed collector, the annual inspection permitted by this paragraph shall be performed at the ATF office responsible for conducting such inspection in closest proximity to the collectors premises. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...se27.3.478_123

As far as them barging into your home unannounced for a compliance inspection again, no, they cannot. They can enter during business hours, but a collector is specifically not a dealer - the law is clear on that.

You are required to keep a bound book of all C&R firearms acquired or disposed of while you hold a valid 03 (C&R) FFL. It has nothing to do with whether or not you "use" your FFL. You are either a licensee or you are not a licensee - if you are a licensee you are required to record your A&D. Non-C&R firearms aren't logged, nor are firearms acquired prior to your C&R FFL unless you dispose of them while your FFL is valid. Honestly, it's no big deal.
I find the conveniences of having a C&R FFL far, far outweigh the doom and gloom John so sagely claims will befall the licensee.

Its not worth it!!

Opinions are like.... elbows... almost everybody has them... What works for some is too much trouble for others...

I love mine, especially because I live in Illinois, a blue state that overly regulates firearms. My FFL3 has saved me time, money and reduced the hassle factor in buying qualifying guns. :)

A "bound book"? Just exactly what is that? Is it a special book that you buy or just a notebook of your purchases and sales?

If you go to Amazon or eBay and search for "C&R bound book or log" you will find many choices. As I recall that is what I did and got exactly what I needed. :)

It is all explained in the C & R materials you would receive, or you can read about it on the ATF web site.

It can be as complicated or simple as you wish, you don't have to "buy" a special book. There is even software available to create it on a computer.

You should also be aware that not all states recognize an 03 FFL. New York only recognizes an 01 FFL for transfers of handguns, regardless of within the state or across state lines. I can only image that California is even more stringent. :rolleyes:

That's right. An 03 is basically worthless here in NY, with the possible exception that a holder can get discounts on ammo or supplies ordered. But one would still need to retrieve the ammo from an 01, where it now needs to be shipped. Initially, the S.A.F.E. Act called for background checks for ammo purchases. The provision was never implemented, but the inability of legally receiving ammo shipped directly to individuals has remained. Some auctions just send it anyway. I received two boxes once, sent in a small flat rate USPS box, which I think is a no-no for the sender.