FFL & TICS Advice for Newbie

[MikeEddins]

Hey guys, I’m a brand new member. Just got my first gun (self defense carry) in April. After taking handgun safety class to be a responsible owner, I was hooked. I immediately joined a range where I shoot several times per week. I’ve inherited two antique handguns of high value that aren’t meant for regular shooting. I wanted something “exciting” to shoot and after hours upon hours of research I opted for an AR15. The same research also revealed to me that I did not want to pay local gun shop prices for one ( did not want to & honestly can’t afford to). 
 

i contacted a local FFL to ensure they didn’t mind doing the transfer & to inquire their fees. All things going well thus far. I went to said FFL after placing the order because I needed some 9mm ammo. When talking to him, I informed him that I had a scare when buying my first gun at Academy Sports. My purchase was initially denied on a Saturday, then Monday morning they called saying I could come finalize the transaction & pick up my gun. He then informed me that if the transaction were denied initially, then changed to “Conditional Proceed” it would cost me an additional $50 on top of the original $50 transfer fee.

Here is what I’m really wanting to know: if a purchase is denied but then allowed to proceed less than 48 hours later, is this really a “conditional proceed”. Everything I’ve read about conditional proceed mentions a 15 day timeline. Given mine only took 48 hours, it makes me believe it was overturned in a different manner. 
 

Im concerned about this. If the same thing happens again then I’ll be looking at a $100 FFL transfer fee. If he has to hold on yo the gun for a couple weeks, I can see a small bump in price. But to double the fee from $50 to $100 just to keep the gun 2 days…..

is there any way I can check my status before time to go pick up the gun? It’s already en route to the FFL. If not, please advise if there is a difference between TICS denial being overturned & a conditional proceed? I’ve been arrested one time for failure to appear in court. I got a seatbelt ticket and forgot about it until a year later when I was pulled over and informed I had a warrant. There is NOTHING on my record that could prevent firearm purchase and no reason my background check should cause trouble. Since it happened once though……

[Snaveba]

Not sure about if you check your status ahead of time. What FFL are you using. There are lots of FFLs. Do you have to use this one (like the gun already shipped) or can you use a different FFL?

[DJTC45]

Man $50 transfer fee is high, the FFL I use only $25 transfer fee + $10 back ground fee. I don't know if the one I use charges a fee for denials, I've only had that happen once and that was 6yrs. ago at a gunshow, and two days later on Monday I received an email from the state that I was approved. So I went to the gunshop that I purchased from at the gunshow that the denial was over turned and to proceed with the transfer, I only had to pay $35 for it. It could be that the FFL Dealer you use has that policy and should have told you upfront about it. I'd find another FFL if possible and make friends with that FFL buy stopping in and maybe buying a box of ammo or cleaning supplies every now and then, then when it comes to you needing a transfer they might just take care of you Just my opinion but that's what I did and I've made probably 25-30 Transfers through mine in the last year and a half.

[Pain103]

$50 wow. I've never heard of anyone above $25 for just a transfer. I would assume you know the reason why the issue even popped up and get it resolved so you don't have that problem again. Could be something as simple as a court disposition never submitted to the right people and it flags on the background.

[FUJIMO]

Sounds like you're already committed to that ffl but I would NEVER use any ffl that told me he would double my cost if the bgc approval got held up. Theres zero I can do about that and that ffl is just fleecing ppl. 

Good luck  

[Grayfox54]

I'd be looking for a different FFL.  Denials happen all the time and are usually nothing more than a minor error that gets sorted out fairly quickly. Any FFL that wants to charge you twice is a crook. 

I'm also in Bartlett, who is this guy you're dealing with? I'd like to know so I can avoid him. 

Edited July 5, 2022 by Grayfox54

[DJTC45]

I made a mistake in picking out Guns and Leather in Hendersonville and I'll never get another one transferred through them ever again. I was on my way home and stopped in to see if they could do the transfer for 1968 Colt Gold Cup that I bought from another forum I belong to. I asked if they would do it and they said sure, well I gave him the FFL's information and he sent it while I was looking around. He said it went through and he just received the other FFL's information. I said okay and thanks they said they would call me when it came in but suggested that I track it also, no problem sir, I said as I walked out the door. Got a call from them that Friday mid morning that it was there and to stop by when I had time. I went there sometime in the late afternoon and filled out the background check and waited a few minutes and he came over and said I was good to go, headed to the register to pay them I handed him $35 cause I thought that was what they charged, well he then told me that the transfer was $65. I stood there for a minute and asked him why it was double of what other dealers charge, his answer was that is what they charge and if I didn't want to pay that to bad go somewhere else. I admit I didn't ask then what they charged I just assumed it was what I paid at some other dealers, the only reason I stopped there was it was on my way home. Lesson learned the hard way, but I learned it.

[Jeb48]

I always ask when having a gun shipped and now found a place that is $25 with BG check. It is a couple of miles further than the closest but they are easy to work with and cheap.