How to become a liscensed gun manufacturer?

[TheGreek!]

What do I have to do to become a licensed manufacturer of semi-auto AK's? No full auto stuff, semi-auto only. I have all the equipment to build AK's and will soon have the equipment to do bluing also, all I need to know is the legal stuff involved in becoming a licensed manufacturer.

[nalioth]

You'll need a Type 07 FFL.

Got to pay the ITAR fees and all that, too.

[TheGreek!]

Care to go a little deeper? Like describing what ITAR means, what kind of paperwork is involved, how much payola will I have to give to the government to get the liscense (the fees), do I have to renew it every year, etc...

[nalioth]

Care to go a little deeper? Like what kind of paperwork is involved, how much payola will I have to give to the government to get the liscense (the fees), do I have to renew it every year, etc...

It's $150 / 3 years for the government (for the FFL)

Somewhere around $3000/year for the ITAR fees (must be paid whether you export anything or not)

[TheGreek!]

What does ITAR mean? How do I get the Type O7 FFL? I thought the 07 was for building F/A guns, is it the same liscense for building semi auto guns? Will that mean that I can build F/A's too if I get a letter from a LE agency? What forms do I have to fill out and send in? I know for sure that it isnt an ATF form 1, 2, 3, or 4, lol...3 grand aint too much really if I can make a few sales, its worth the risk to try it out for a year to see what comes of it. I want to mainly focus on building the higher end stuff anyway so the money should recoup itself in a reasonably small amount of time depending on how the sales go.

[nalioth]

ATF Online - Firearms - How To - Become An FFL (http://1.usa.gov/eNmO8y)

[TheGreek!]

That page tells me nothing. Thanks anyway.

[nalioth]

That link aint working, the page just sits there trying to open.

Loads instantly for me.

Try unblocking .gov in your web browser, and maybe it'll work better :D

[TheGreek!]

It finally opened up and I edited my post, go back and read it agian.

[nalioth]

That page tells me nothing. Thanks anyway.

You're kidding, right?

Right side at the top: "Necessary materials", which includes the application, certifications and other info . . .

If you can't see it, there's not much more anyone can do for you (except come to your house and click your mouse for you, I guess [maybe fill out the form and mail it, too])

[TheGreek!]

Rather than waste the rest of the night digging through pages and pages of CRAP on a government website trying to find info that could fit in a few measly sentences I'll wait for someone that wants to take the 30 seconds to type up what I need to know and get to the info that way instead.

[nalioth]

Rather than waste the rest of the night digging through pages and pages of CRAP on a government website trying to find info that could fit in a few measly sentences I'll wait for someone that wants to take the 30 seconds to type up what I need to know and get to the info that way instead.

Wade through what? you load the page and it's right there at the top

http://www.novarata.net/images/f/ffl-app-page.jpg

If this is too tough for you, you probably don't need an FFL.

[TheGreek!]

I decided to go back and look at the link again, it still doesnt tell me shit. Can I build semi auto guns and/or machine guns with the simple FFL that page describes? It doesnt break it down into categories, nothing, all that link tells me is how to become a plain old FFL and nothing more. I'll delete the thread and start it over if this becomes a pissing match just so you know, I want the simple questions that I asked at the beginning answered with simple answers, is that too much for you to provide?

[nalioth]

I decided to go back and look at the link again, it still doesnt tell me shit. Can I build semi auto guns and/or machine guns with the simple FFL that page describes? It doesnt break it down into categories, nothing, all that link tells me is how to become a plain old FFL and nothing more. I'll delete the tread and start it over if this becomes a pissing match just so you know, I want the simple questions that I asked at the beginning answered with simple answers, is that too much for you to provide?

Pissing match?

I answered your question the first time.

You need a type 07 FFL. This will allow you to make regular semiauto firearms, SBRs, SBS', AOWs, but not destructive devices or ammunition or explosives.

You download the application (from the link shown), check the box next to "07 Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices", send them $150, and the other crap they need (fingerprint cards, photos, etc) and sit back and wait . . .


. . . and you of all people should know that when dealing with the government, there are no "simple answers". . .

[TheGreek!]

Thank you, thats all I wanted to know. I'm having one of those days again, can ya tell? Anyway, the gooberments website doesnt specify what kind of guns I can make or anything, its just instruction on how to apply for an FFL, it doesnt describe in detail what the categories allow. Since we're on the subject, lets say I get the 07 FFL and wanted to make a legal F/A, could I do it if I had a letter from a government or LE agency requesting a demo or a purchase? If so are there other situations that would allow for me to make a legal F/A or is that the only one? Also, whats an SOT? I see that a lot when people talk about building legal F/A's but I never looked into what it means and how it relates to building legal F/A's.

[nalioth]

Since we're on the subject, lets say I get the 07 FFL and wanted to make a legal F/A, could I do it if I had a letter from a government or LE agency requesting a demo or a purchase? If so are there other situations that would allow for me to make a legal F/A or is that the only one?
With a LEO/GOV request for demo letter, you can make or import machine guns with an FFL 07/SOT2.

SOT = special occupational tax (the "extra" you have to pay to play with "fun guns")

Any machine guns you make/import are only going to be legal for you, or other FFL07/SOT2s with demo letters.

[TheGreek!]

I hate to ask the next question, how much does the "special occupational TAX" cost each year?

[nalioth]

I hate to ask the next question, how much does the "special occupational TAX" cost each year?

Beats me, I don't have one.

[TheGreek!]

The MG stuff was just a curiosity really, if I decide to do the manufacturer thing it would be for the semi auto stuff because thats where all the customers are thanks to the laws.

[akmcollector89]

What do I have to do to become a licensed manufacturer of semi-auto AK's? No full auto stuff, semi-auto only. I have all the equipment to build AK's and will soon have the equipment to do bluing also, all I need to know is the legal stuff involved in becoming a licensed manufacturer.

do it! ill be first in line for one of your ak's

[akmcollector89]

oh and you should hire me(im qualified to work at century)

[BeastModeV5]

Would you be a builder or sell completed rifles? Would you work with California customers? I would definitely be interested as well.

[TheGreek!]

Would you be a builder or sell completed rifles? Would you work with California customers? I would definitely be interested as well.

Both if possible, I'd take any work that came my way. If I do decide to do this I would sell to people in Kali but the guns wouldnt come with a mag or that dumb mag lock thing, getting a mag or mag kit for it and the mag lock thing would be left up to the buyer. If it cant ship without the mag lock thing the buyer could send me one and then I'd ship it with the gun. If I got enough orders from Kali I would then consider keeping a few mag lock things on hand but until then it would have to be a buyer-supplied item for me to ship a gun to Kali.

[Sweersa]

I wish the ATF would allow people to have SOTs for personal or collecting (non business) reasons.

I'd take a G36C, G36K, and a G36E!

Plus a select fire Krinkov of some kind and a few other select fire AK variants.

And an UZI.

[Cy4ka]

I am curious too. I just wanted to bend flats and produce receivers. Not just AK but you can get 10/22 80% receivers, DSA's AR receivers, etc...

Besides the 07 and SOT you have to pay for LLC or something, local BS, and insurance (which I'm presuming to be sky high).

[nalioth]

Besides the 07 and SOT you have to pay for LLC or something, local BS, and insurance (which I'm presuming to be sky high).
You don't need an LLC to be a manufacturer.

If you're smart, you'll have some sort of corporation, though, because if you don't, the first lawsuit will have you living in the streets. . .

[Mandaree36]

That was actually pretty informative.

I am now def considering applying for my own FFL license.

Can also add a non destructive device license for 150.00 (i.e. rifles) - not too shabby, unless I am reading it wrong.

[nalioth]

Can also add a non destructive device license for 150.00 (i.e. rifles) - not too shabby, unless I am reading it wrong.

What are you talking about?

A type 07 FFL ($150/3 years) will allow you to make all the rifles you want. Add a SOT and you can make all the SBRs you want . .

You have to ante up for the type 10 FFL to manufacture destructive devices (license is $3000/year)

[TheGreek!]

I'll need an 01 FFL too so that I can do the background checks and the transfers in order to be able to send any guns I make and sell to the customer's FFL, right?

[nalioth]

I'll need an 01 FFL too so that I can do the background checks and the transfers in order to be able to send any guns I make and sell to the customer's FFL, right?

No.

Any FFL but a type 03 (curio and relic) can do those things.

You don't need an FFL to send guns to FFLs. You need an FFL to receive guns from FFLs.

[TheGreek!]

Thanks. By the way, is there any way around having to pay the 3000 a year ITAR fees? What does ITAR mean anyway, does it stand for Incredible Tax And Revenue? :rofl_smal

[nalioth]

Thanks. By the way, is there any way around having to pay the 3000 a year ITAR fees? What does ITAR mean anyway?

Not get a type 07 FFL?

ITAR (http://bit.ly/HM1gRv)

[TheGreek!]

For the third time in this thread, WHAT DOES ITAR MEAN?

[nalioth]

Again (for the third time), if you can't click a link and find what you're looking for, then having an FFL (any FFL) isn't for you.

Looking for an answer in Google is far, far easier than the informational database (file cabinets and bound books) you'll have to maintain as an FFL, especially as a manufacturing FFL.

When the revenuers come callin' you'll have to know which file cabinet has whatever they're looking for in it, and all of it'll have to have the "I"s dotted and "T"s crossed to their satisfaction . .

[TheGreek!]

I dont feel like going to fucking google for it, how about THAT? Instead of wasting all them words typing up YOUR HOLIER-THAN-THOU BULLSHIT how about just telling me what the fuck ITAR means instead, or do you LIKE being a PRICK? :mad_small :mad_small

[nalioth]

Instead of wasting all them words typing YOUR HOLIER-THAN-THOU BULLSHIT how about just telling me what the fuck ITAR means instead, or do you LIKE being a PRICK? :mad_small :mad_small

Instead of typing all your whiny "pleeeease do it for me" bullshit, why didn't you just type "ITAR" into Google and have done with it?

it's not like it's hard to find (it's the FIRST RESULT in the search)

[TheGreek!]

I just looked up ITAR. Nowhere did I find anything about a 3000 dollar a year fee, and nowhere did I see it mention anything about gun makers doing business inside the USA, it only applies if you want to ship or receive arms from overseas. I'm not gonna be importing parts kits or exporting the guns I build so therefore I dont need to worry about ITAR and dont have to pay a 3000 dollar a year fee, and if you think that I'm wrong then prove it naolith.

[Sweersa]

It stands for International Traffic in Arms Regulations. I'd hate to see you guys argue in person. I can imagine that would turn into a blood bath pretty quick.

What they rarely teach these days, is that it's never too late for a joint.

Chill brothers.

[TheGreek!]

It stands for International Traffic in Arms Regulations. I'd hate to see you guys argue in person. I can imagine that would turn into a blood bath pretty quick.

What they rarely teach these days, is that it's never too late for a joint.

Chill brothers.

I have a very low tolerance for people that wanna be sarcastic to me for no reason and I will respond to it accordingly. Anyway, I couldnt find anything that says ITAR applies to what I wanna do and I didnt see one thing at all mentioned about a 3000 dollar a year fee yet. Do you know anything about it?

[Cy4ka]

From what I gather you don't have to register ITAR as long as you provide defense services that don't include classified technical data (think the difference as being between you bending flats in your garage vs Raytheon piloting armed stealth drones over Tucson).

[Sweersa]

I have a very low tolerance for people that wanna be sarcastic to me for no reason and I will respond to it accordingly. Anyway, I couldnt find anything that says ITAR applies to what I wanna do and I didnt see one thing at all mentioned about a 3000 dollar a year fee yet. Do you know anything about it?

I know where you are coming from, he pushes my buttons at times, and he isn't always correct and even when he finds out he is wrong about something he won't admit it and vanishes from the thread.

Anyways, I don't know enough about it to be of any help. I just knew what it stood for.

[TheGreek!]

He's not gone from the thread, I see his name at the bottom of the page. Thanks for telling me what ITAR means by the way even though I already found that out when I tried to find out about the 3000 dollar fee, lol.

[nalioth]

It is galling to me that someone can't be bothered to type 4 letters into the search box on their browser.

It ain't like this is the '60s, where if you wanted to know something you had to go to the public library and scrabble through the card catalog, perhaps having to wait for a book to travel from another library before you could get your answers.

Such laziness galls me.


I got news for TheGreek! . .

One instance of "I don't feel like it" as an FFL could get him thrown in prison (the ATF won't accept "I don't feel like it" as an excuse)

He's not gone from the thread, I see his name at the bottom of the page.

How many fucking times do I have to tell you people? Jen has the session time set to 24 hours (or more) here.

I could turn my computer off right now, and my username would show up at the bottom of this thread until at least this time tomorrow. . .

[TheGreek!]

It is galling to me that someone can't be bothered to type 4 letters into the search box on their browser.

Such laziness galls me.


Ya know what galls ME? When someone would rather write an entire holier-than-thou sarcastic paragaph instead of a single fucking sentence answering a simple god damn question, thats what galls me. Weak reply naolith, very weak :mad_small

[TheGreek!]

From what I gather you don't have to register ITAR as long as you provide defense services that don't include classified technical data (think the difference as being between you bending flats in your garage vs Raytheon piloting armed stealth drones over Tucson).

Well then, let the 07 FFL paperwork process begin! :small_gri



This is gonna be my "trademark" and the name of the company will be Spartan Arms: :cool_smal


http://i46.tinypic.com/zl56yg.jpg

[TheGreek!]

I should hold off on officially opening up for business until the fraud in the white house and his cronies are gone, in the meanwhile I'll get the 07 FFL and wait....

[Sweersa]

Thanks for telling me what ITAR means by the way even though I already found that out when I tried to find out about the 3000 dollar fee, lol.

Anytime dude. I hope the process goes well for you. I'm sure it won't be no thing but a chicken wing after you do it for a few years. And by then I may have enough money to pay you to build a gold plated Yugo AK. :D

[TheGreek!]

And by then I may have enough money to pay you to build a gold plated Yugo AK. :D

And by then I should be legally able to build it for you. :laugh_sma :small_gri :cool_smal

[Cy4ka]

This is gonna be my "trademark" and the name of the company will be Spartan Arms:

I like it. Want to partner with my "Doomsday Arsenal?" Lol.

[TheGreek!]

Are there any regulations that manufacturers have to follow regarding the storing of the guns that are manufactured, meaning, will I have to go out and get a bunch of gun safes and such or is a dedicated room in the house for it enough? Where would I find all the regulations that gun manufacturers have to follow (I didnt see anything about that in the ATF link).

[nalioth]

Are there any regulations that manufacturers have to follow regarding the storing of the guns that are manufactured, meaning, will I have to go out and get a bunch of gun safes and such or is a dedicated room in the house for it enough? Where would I find all the regulations that gun manufacturers have to follow (I didnt see anything about that in the ATF link).They will send you a book (or books) the size of the Yellow Pages of all the requisite laws and regulations.

You'll have to have a secure storage facility, and your shop must comply with local laws (zoning and other).

[Cy4ka]

I'm looking right now. There's something about coporate inventory vs personal inventory.
Yeah, just get a gunsafe/whatever local ordinances mandate. Are you building rifles or just bending flats into receivers? I'd imagine common sense applies, lock an assembled rifle in a safe. The flat though, it's just a square block of bent sheet metal but counts as the actual rifle so you mite not need to put them on lockdown. You'd have to ask the inspecting agent during the process.

[TheGreek!]

They will send you a book (or books) the size of the Yellow Pages of all the requisite laws and regulations.

You'll have to have a secure storage facility, and your shop must comply with local laws (zoning and other).

Thanks for the info naolith, hopefully we'll get along a little better from here forward maybe? Anyway, the secure facility can be at my house, I mean, the yard is surrounded by a 6 foot high concrete wall w/non-see through steel gated driveway entrances, there are THREE front doors to have to open to get into the house when its all locked up (but the sliding glass door in the back might be an issue, lol), and if needed I'll get a couple of large gun safes and bolt them to the floor of the gun room. I'll call my FFL and ask him whats required of him for gun storage regs (he's an 01 FFL), it'll at least give me a basic idea of what I'll be getting into if I decide to go through with it.

[Cy4ka]

Is FAET still in effect?

http://www.ttb.gov/pdf/50gun_exemption.pdf

Keep them all under 50 for annual production quantity then :D

[TheGreek!]

I'm looking right now. There's something about coporate inventory vs personal inventory.
Yeah, just get a gunsafe/whatever local ordinances mandate. Are you building rifles or just bending flats into receivers? I'd imagine common sense applies, lock an assembled rifle in a safe. The flat though, it's just a square block of bent sheet metal but counts as the actual rifle so you mite not need to put them on lockdown. You'd have to ask the inspecting agent during the process.

Let me know what you find because my next question was going to be about the storage of my personal gun collection (I could open up a store with that all by itself, lol), hopefully they wont make me have to buy gun safes for those too... :cry_small

[Cy4ka]

Shit:

http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/documents/consolidated_itar/Part_122.pdf

$2,750/year minimum ITAR fees. Sorry :(

Not profitable for me. Good luck Greek!

[TheGreek!]

Is FAET still in effect?

http://www.ttb.gov/pdf/50gun_exemption.pdf

Keep them all under 50 for annual production quantity then :D

Now THATS a BIG find!! :uhoh_smal :small_gri :small_gri

[cgp]

Thanks for the info naolith, hopefully we'll get along a little better from here forward maybe? Anyway, the secure facility can be at my house, I mean, the yard is surrounded by a 6 foot high concrete wall w/non-see through steel gated driveway entrances, there are THREE front doors to have to open to get into the house when its all locked up (but the sliding glass door in the back might be an issue, lol), and if needed I'll get a couple of large gun safes and bolt them to the floor of the gun room. I'll call my FFL and ask him whats required of him for gun storage regs (he's an 01 FFL), it'll at least give me a basic idea of what I'll be getting into if I decide to go through with it.

My FFL had his house converted to a shop and all the goodies are in a locked room. Guns are stored in the boxes they came in and just put up on shelves. There is a large safe that they use to hold stuff for high-value transfers and NFA items. The whole room is lined with steel prison bars, including the entrance door. I am not sure as to the extent of the bars but given that it's a 2 story house, anyone can cut through the 2nd level flooring and get through. Oh, 24-7 cameras, motion sensors everywhere.

[TheGreek!]

Shit:

http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/documents/consolidated_itar/Part_122.pdf

$2,750/year minimum ITAR fees. Sorry :(

Not profitable for me. Good luck Greek!

Now THATS a BIG suck! :cry_small

[TheGreek!]

My FFL had his house converted to a shop and all the goodies are in a locked room. Guns are stored in the boxes they came in and just put up on shelves. There is a large safe that they use to hold stuff for high-value transfers and NFA items. The whole room is lined with steel prison bars, including the entrance door. I am not sure as to the extent of the bars but given that it's a 2 story house, anyone can cut through the 2nd level flooring and get through. Oh, 24-7 cameras, motion sensors everywhere.

Did he HAVE to put in all of that security or did he WANT to? That means a lot...

[KernelKrink]

Don't forget a multi million dollar blanket liability insurance policy.

Greek, unless you have your heart set on making your own receivers, it's much simpler and cheaper to just get a regular gunsmith/dealer type 01FFL and assemble parts kits on a customer owned commercial receiver. If you go that route, ATF considers the work "Gunsmithing" not "Manufacturing". No taxes to worry about, no ITAR, no jumping through hoops making sure your hazmat waste is OSHA approved and documented, etc.

Here's the difference. Customer sends you a parts kit and a NODAK receiver he purchased through his local FFL. You have no ownership of anything going into the gun, you are merely a subcontractor assembling pieces for the owner, ATF considers that normal work for a Gunsmith with a type 01FFL.

You buy a flat and bend it, then sell it as a receiver. You created the receiver of a gun, manufacturer. Manufacturer FFl needed (07) and ITAR, etc. apply.

You buy a commercial receiver from NODAK, assemble your parts kit to it, then put it up for sale. You created a gun for your business with materials ownd by the business, you are a manufacturer and ITAR, excise tax, etc. apply.

ATF is even so nitpicky about this they say if you bought a Mosin for $50 and slapped a $30 scope and mount on it, you owe excise tax because you increased the value of the gun, a "manufacturing activity". OTOH, if a customer bought the rifle from you and the scope and mount and paid you $30 to combine them, no tax due. "Gunsmithing activity".

[Dick]

Thank You Nalioth for all your work in finding and posting everything we needed to know about obtaining an ffl.

Practically spoon fed

[cgp]

Did he HAVE to put in all of that security or did he WANT to? That means a lot...

I'm going there next week. I'll ask.

[TheGreek!]

Don't forget a multi million dollar blanket liability insurance policy.

Greek, unless you have your heart set on making your own receivers, it's much simpler and cheaper to just get a regular gunsmith/dealer type 01FFL and assemble parts kits on a customer owned commercial receiver. If you go that route, ATF considers the work "Gunsmithing" not "Manufacturing". No taxes to worry about, no ITAR, no jumping through hoops making sure your hazmat waste is OSHA approved and documented, etc.

Here's the difference. Customer sends you a parts kit and a NODAK receiver he purchased through his local FFL. You have no ownership of anything going into the gun, you are merely a subcontractor assembling pieces for the owner, ATF considers that normal work for a Gunsmith with a type 01FFL.

You buy a flat and bend it, then sell it as a receiver. You created the receiver of a gun, manufacturer. Manufacturer FFl needed (07) and ITAR, etc. apply.

You buy a commercial receiver from NODAK, assemble your parts kit to it, then put it up for sale. You created a gun for your business with materials ownd by the business, you are a manufacturer and ITAR, excise tax, etc. apply.

ATF is even so nitpicky about this they say if you bought a Mosin for $50 and slapped a $30 scope and mount on it, you owe excise tax because you increased the value of the gun, a "manufacturing activity". OTOH, if a customer bought the rifle from you and the scope and mount and paid you $30 to combine them, no tax due. "Gunsmithing activity".

Thanks for clarifying it all Kernel, looks like there's no way out the tax for me if I want to build and sell my own guns besides assembling peoples parts kits. I might consider the 01 FFL route though and see what kind of business I can get that way for a while and then determine if going the 07 route would be worth it later on.

[TheGreek!]

Thank You Nalioth for all your work in finding and posting everything we needed to know about obtaining an ffl.

Practically spoon fed


Gimme a break bootlicker. Pathetic.

[bushman]

Don't forget about your local laws. You may need a business license, or your house may not be zoned for that kind of business. Lots of states also have their own requirements for completing firearms transfers. The feds will check for your compliance.

[Sneakers1971]

Itar- International traffic in arms restrictions

Something along the lines of not being the "Loard of War!"

[TheGreek!]

Don't forget about your local laws. You may need a business license, or your house may not be zoned for that kind of business. Lots of states also have their own requirements for completing firearms transfers. The feds will check for your compliance.

I live in Arizona, its a free state... :small_gri


I can be an FFL of any kind including being a manufacturer right out of my house out here, no zoning for that required unless I wanted to close the home based business and open up a real deal storefront. All I'll need is a simple business license that I can get from city hall and the 01 (or the 07) FFL license and I'm good to go, my FFL just verified that for me... :small_gri

[BeastModeV5]

Both if possible, I'd take any work that came my way. If I do decide to do this I would sell to people in Kali but the guns wouldnt come with a mag or that dumb mag lock thing, getting a mag or mag kit for it and the mag lock thing would be left up to the buyer. If it cant ship without the mag lock thing the buyer could send me one and then I'd ship it with the gun. If I got enough orders from Kali I would then consider keeping a few mag lock things on hand but until then it would have to be a buyer-supplied item for me to ship a gun to Kali.

Interesting, this what I was looking for either way.

[TheGreek!]

Interesting, this what I was looking for either way.

Other Kali rules would apply also if I decide to become a manufacturer or gunsmith, if the barrel nut has to be tack welded on it would be, if the bayonet lugs needed to be shaved they would be, etc, before I could sell a gun that I built to people in Kali. Your best bet would be for me to build a kit that you supply (gunsmithing work instead of manufacturing work) and even then I'm not sure if I would be able to send it back in "un-neutered" condition once its built. As a manufacturer I wouldnt be able to sell an un-neutered gun to the people out there but as a gunsmith I MIGHT be able to build someone in Kali's un-neutered kit on a receiver that belongs to the owner of the kit and send it back to the owner in un-neutered condition once its built but I'm not sure about that yet.

[Dick]

Gimme a break bootlicker. Pathetic.

Pathetic is having all the info you need right in front of you and saying "that doesn't tell me anything"

[TheGreek!]

You have a very fitting user name there Dick. :straightf


Go lick some more boots....

[irierider]

damn greek vs nalioth... a battle of epic proportions!!! haha once i saw a few back and forths I knew it was going "there"

[TheLegionnaire]

Just wondering what if I just designed and assembled the gun but didn't build the parts does that make a difference or is the it the same thing, type 7 form and ITAR crap.

Also what if i had a custom gun made but i was not going to sell it to a person how could legally own it but instead give it to them.
Do I have to deal with much or anything under that situation, because I plan to start a competition that anyone can do, where they get to draw how the revolver i'm making will look. I would like it were the winner if they can legally own it, to receive the standard version of the revolver once the design makes it through all the development phases.

[KernelKrink]

Whoever "manufactures" the receiver/frame of the gun is the maker, if someone else makes it for you then they will need the 07FFL. If you make it yourself for "personal Use", no FFL needed. For giving away as a prize? FFL needed.