Registering as a registered fire arms dealer.

[Alpha1]

I dont think the vetting is likely to be a problem.
The amount of time I have been shooting they probably have a dossier on me that is at least an inch thick. Actually I know they have because I saw it when they recently interviewed me to renew my Clubs home Office approval. And I dont think the MOD would be issuing me licences to use there ranges or letting me book them if there was a problem. As a Club Secretary I probably have more day to day contact with licencing than your normal FAC holder.
Any way Like I said vetting is not likely to be a problem.

Thanks for all the replies its certainly given me some thing to think about.

[ovenpaa]

As you say, vetting should not be an issue, the bottom line is you simply need a good reason to become an RFD. On my RFD it says 'Design and manufacture of firearms' and some other stuff. How would you best describe your aspiration?

[Mattnall]

Well - it does seem as though the requirement for a business plan has absolutely nothing to do with a person's fitness to be and safely operate as an RFD.

The 'D' in RFD stands for 'Dealer'. You have to prove (among the other fitness and safety stuff) that you are actually wanting to become a dealer. As with most businesses a business plan is a good way to do that.

However, the police cannot take your RFD away for 'lack of trade' but then we've all had lean months. No intent to trade is another thing.

[1066]

Pity there's not a RFD (Lite) or "Gun tinkerer" category - Say someone who tunes airguns - some must inevitably show above 12ftlbs when tested, so technically illegal, or someone wants to buy a barrel blank before getting rid of the old barrel. Yes, I know you can apply for a variation etc. every time but it could be a lot easier in some cases.

[Alpha1]

Pity there's not a RFD (Lite) or "Gun tinkerer" category - Say someone who tunes airguns - some must inevitably show above 12ftlbs when tested, so technically illegal, or someone wants to buy a barrel blank before getting rid of the old barrel. Yes, I know you can apply for a variation etc. every time but it could be a lot easier in some cases.

Exactly.

[Sim G]

Unfortunately I’ve been accused twice over the years of dealing, by my local force. It was nothing more than tinkering. Some stock refinishing, some metal polishing, some rebluing and sourcing spare parts. It was great fun! And yes, I did sometimes sell on and made a bit of money but that’s because I turned a sows ear into a silk purse. It wasn’t so much an issue with shotguns, but firearms with 1-4-1s and the like did set off alarm bells with them. They accepted my position and told me to stop. It really is regarded as somewhat serious to be dealing and not an RFD....

[Pippin89]

Pity there's not a RFD (Lite) or "Gun tinkerer" category - Say someone who tunes airguns - some must inevitably show above 12ftlbs when tested, so technically illegal, or someone wants to buy a barrel blank before getting rid of the old barrel. Yes, I know you can apply for a variation etc. every time but it could be a lot easier in some cases.

I'm sure I have heard an American talking about them having something like this. He was making a stock for a friend and said he registered as a gunsmith or something to make it easier for him holding his friends rifle. Obviously America varies from state to state.... but something like that would make sense!
As long as it wasn't abused to the point of putting true RFD's out of business!

[desparado]

For info',
There is a such a thing as a "non-trading, RFD".
I have seen one, pinned up on a well-known Scottish gunsmith's wall - he was allowed to work on rifles etc, but not to trade in them.

Cheers,

[ovenpaa]

.... but something like that would make sense!
As long as it wasn't abused to the point of putting true RFD's out of business!

Meh! There are enough part time dealers already, working out of a bedroom or kitchen with absolutely zero overheads who are happily undercutting the full time trade. We see requests for parts and services at trade prices all the time, in fact we do a fair amount of trade work, however when an 'RFD' tells me he does not have an account with ParcelForce, or is only in on very specific days I become wary. I can still think of one chap at the range, his web site was/still is very nice and lists an impressive number of services and machines yet he once admitted they were not actually his and he did not even trust himself with a hacksaw, it was just for him and his mate. 6 months later he was lecturing me (badly) on how to barrel a rifle. This is not really so different to so many of the part time RFD's we have come across, who only do it to hold and buy firearms on a whim for the delight of themselves and their mates. Utter bell ends in my opinion... Luckily there are some good guys out there as well. So if you are going to do it Dave, do it properly please.

[MistAgain]

For info',
There is a such a thing as a "non-trading, RFD".
I have seen one, pinned up on a well-known Scottish gunsmith's wall - he was allowed to work on rifles etc, but not to trade in them.

Cheers,

You are correct .

They still have an RFD , but are considered to be an "outworker" .

The section on the certificate for precise nature of business would simply state "repair testing and maintainance of firearms.

The conditions sections would be a bit more specific and would probably have a " may not exceed xx number of firearms/shotguns at any time" condition.

I am sure if Alfa got letters from local dealers saying they were happy for him to repair etc firearms for them he would only have to have a solid business plan and comply with any extra security .