How to Get an FFL in Utah in 5 Easy Steps

A federal firearms license (FFL) is the first piece of the puzzle if you want to enter the firearms industry. If that is your business goal, then Utah is a great place to be, as the process is relatively straightforward. To help combat potential confusion, we have put together an intensive five-step guide that will walk you through the process of getting your FFL in Utah.  

Getting a Utah FFL: An Introduction

If you hope to start a business in the firearms industry, then the ATF is an organization you’ll want to get familiar with, as one of the first things you’ll need to do is obtain an FFL from them. While there are many rules and regulations that an individual must first meet in order to acquire an FFL for their business, rest assured that we have you covered. In this article, we will look at how to get an FFL in Utah, the associated costs, and all the requirements set by both the federal government and the state of Utah that you’ll need to meet. Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Meet All of the FFL Requirements

The first step in getting an FFL is to make sure you’re eligible for one. The ATF sets several rules that everyone must pass for eligibility. After the ATF requirements, each state may implement additional licensing and regulations as they deem fit. Last, local governments can also implement more rules, such as zoning restrictions, making this process just a bit harder to navigate. Let’s take a look at Utah’s FFL requirements at all three levels of government. 

Federal requirements 

The federal government displays a very straightforward set of rules and regulations. These rules include things like:

• An applicant must be a United States citizen (or a permanent resident)
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must have a clean background (i.e., is not banned from personally owning weapons)
• Etc.

See the full list on our FFL guide to view all federal requirements and ensure your eligibility to continue in the FFL process.

State requirements

States break down their additional requirements in two ways. First is state licensing requirements, and second is business requirements. Let’s take a look:

State licensing requirements

Utah is one of many states that has not implemented any additional state licensing requirements. This means to be eligible for an FFL, an individual only needs to be able to pass the federal requirements. This is a favorable thing for those looking to enter Utah’s firearms industry, as many states implement lengthy and costly additional licensing. 

State business requirements 

However, the state of Utah requires each business to register within the state. This applies even if your business is already registered in another state.

Local and zoning requirements

The third level of requirements comes from the local and zoning departments. Meeting local zoning requirements can be one of the trickiest parts of getting approval because adding an FFL or firearms business to a local community may be controversial in some regions.

If you find this to be a hurdle for your business, you may need to speak with the zoning department and explain what type of firearms business you are creating — especially if you are creating a home-based firearms business or a business in a high volume/foot traffic area. There are no state licensing requirements, but you may have to work with the local authorities to sort the zoning out.

Step 2: Select the Type of FFL You Need

Take some time to consider these three points. Each FFL type is distinct, so choosing the right one for your business is imperative.

FFL license types 

There are nine different FFL types that fall within the sales, manufacturing, and importing categories. To see a complete list and description of all nine, revisit our extensive FFL guide.

Step 3: Complete an Online FFL Course

An online course can help teach you things like:

• Local laws and sales regulations
• Clarification on the firearms and parts legal to sell/deal
• Any paperwork that you’ll need to accompany each new sale
• How to report each sale
• And many other general business practices

Although this step is not mandatory, we highly recommend taking an online FFL course, as it will help get your business going in the right direction from the very start.

Step 4: Apply for Your Utah FFL

Once you’ve verified that you and your business plan are qualified by the state and federal government and that you have a suitable location, it’s finally time to apply for your Utah FFL. To put your application together, you will need to provide the following: 

• Application form.^[1]ATF. “Application for Federal Firearms License“.Accessed on May 22, 2024.
• Application fee
• Fingerprints: The ATF needs your fingerprints to conduct criminal background checks
• Photographs: The ATF needs your photograph to generate your federal firearms license
• Any required supplemental documentation (for example, information pertaining to additional managers/business owners)

Step 5: Have an Interview with a Representative From Your Regional ATF Office

The last and final step in getting your FFL is to have a meeting with your local IOI or Industry Operations Investigator. This meeting will be arranged with your local ATF office. The point of this meeting is to ensure you have a functional business model, have chosen a suitable business location, and to make sure you fully understand the federal laws associated with opening a firearms business. 

FFL License Costs in Utah 

Like the FFL eligibility requirements, the licensing costs are also federally mandated by the ATF. The only cost variable will be which FFL type you choose (depending on your business model). You can find the price of each licensing cost detailed in our FFL guide.

Getting a Federal Firearms License in Utah: Closing Thoughts

Whether you are looking to import, manufacture, or sell firearms, Utah is a great place to establish your new firearms business. Utah has not implemented any additional state licensing, making the federal requirements your biggest obstacle. So, if you are eligible to get an FFL through the ATF, Utah is a great place to do it.

Once you receive your FFL, you can move to the next stage of opening your business, such as finding a gun-friendly payment service provider. Launching a firearms business has its challenges, but with a secured FFL and the right merchant services provider by your side, you can successfully navigate the intricacies of this exciting industry!