Always need an active FFL license for C&R firearms?

**thehaupthaus** · December 28th, 2015, 04:46 PM

I currently own two WWII-era rifles (a K98 and an M1 Carbine), and I'm curious to know if I always need an active/up-to-date FFL license as an owner in Pennsylvania?
I use these firearms for re-enacting purposes, but haven't been active for several years, so the rifles are stored and haven't been used in that time.
I've received a ton on conflicting answers to this over the years, I'm just looking for clarity.
Any information of this would be greatly appreciated. Thx.

**AHelm3** · December 28th, 2015, 04:57 PM

Are you saying that at one point you had an 03 C&R FFL that you let expire?

If that is the case, no biggie. If you let your licence expire, you can toss your bound book and that is that.

**greenjohn88** · December 28th, 2015, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by thehaupthaus

I'm curious to know if I always need an active/up-to-date FFL license as an owner in Pennsylvania?

No, you do not need to keep your FFL 03/C&R active to keep firearms entered in its bound book.

**Steve in PA** · December 28th, 2015, 08:01 PM

Once the rifles are entered into your bound book, they are yours. If your C&R expires, they are still yours.

I used to have a C&R for several years and acquired many C&R rifles. When the supply dwindled, I let my license expire. The rifles are still mine.

**WCMG** · December 29th, 2015, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by AHelm3

Are you saying that at one point you had an 03 C&R FFL that you let expire?

If that is the case, no biggie. If you let your licence expire, you can toss your bound book and that is that.

Once you give up your FFL, all records must be given to the ATF. As stated in the Best Practices handbook for FFLs:

If you do not have a successor, you must deliver all of your firearms records within 30 days of going completely out of the firearms business to:

ATF National Tracing Center
Out-of-Business Records Center
244 Needy Road
Martinsburg, WV 25405

**AHelm3** · December 29th, 2015, 12:52 AM

My post was specific to 03 FFLs. Nothing is required of you if you decide to let your license expire. Having an 03 is nothing like running a business.

**crffl** · December 29th, 2015, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by WCMG

Once you give up your FFL, all records must be given to the ATF. As stated in the Best Practices handbook for FFLs:

If you do not have a successor, you must deliver all of your firearms records within 30 days of going completely out of the firearms business to:

ATF National Tracing Center
Out-of-Business Records Center
244 Needy Road
Martinsburg, WV 25405

That doesn't apply to 03 ffl's...

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/are-...records-atf-if

Are licensed collectors required to turn in their acquisition and disposition records to ATF if they discontinue their collecting activity?

No. Licensed collectors are not required to submit their records to ATF upon discontinuance of their collecting activity.

[18 U.S.C. 923(g)(4); 27 CFR 478.127]

**Noah_Zark** · December 29th, 2015, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by thehaupthaus

I currently own two WWII-era rifles (a K98 and an M1 Carbine), and I'm curious to know if I always need an active/up-to-date FFL license as an owner in Pennsylvania?
I use these firearms for re-enacting purposes, but haven't been active for several years, so the rifles are stored and haven't been used in that time.
I've received a ton on conflicting answers to this over the years, I'm just looking for clarity.
Any information of this would be greatly appreciated. Thx.

Allow me to be clear: No, you do not need an active C&R license to possess your US martial arms in PA, records disposition requirements aside.

Noah