Federal Firearm License (FFL) - Davidson Defense

Overview
FFL License for Transfers
What is an FFL/SOT?
Buying Serialized Parts
Purchasing a Suppressor
FFL/SOT Map

FFL License for Transfers

Send or request FFL license to: [e-mail] 

Send or request SOT forms and FFL license to: [e-mail]

You can also submit a ticket with the information.
Feel free to reach out if you have further questions.

What is an FFL or an SOT?

FFL stands for Federal Firearms License in the United States. It’s a license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that allows a person or business to legally:

• Manufacture firearms
• Import firearms
• Sell firearms
• Conduct firearm transfers

Common examples:

• A local gun store usually has an FFL.
• Online firearm purchases are often shipped to an FFL dealer, where the buyer completes a background check before pickup.

There are different types of FFLs, such as:

1. Dealers & Gunsmiths
   • Type 01: Dealer in firearms. Allows you to sell firearms at wholesale or retail, conduct transfers, and perform gunsmithing (repair or fit special barrels, stocks, and trigger mechanisms).
   • Type 02: Pawnbroker. Allows all the same privileges as a Type 01, plus the ability to take or receive firearms as security for pawn loans.
   • Type 09: Destructive Devices Dealer. Specifically for dealing in destructive devices (e.g., large bore weapons, certain explosives).
2. Manufacturers
   • Type 07: Manufacturer of Firearms. Allows you to manufacture and sell firearms (other than destructive devices) and ammunition. (Commonly paired with an SOT to build NFA items like suppressors or short-barreled rifles).
   • Type 06: Manufacturer of Ammunition. Allows you to manufacture and sell ammunition, excluding destructive devices or armor-piercing rounds.
   • Type 10: Manufacturer of Destructive Devices. Allows for the manufacture of destructive devices, as well as armor-piercing ammunition. 
3. Importers
   • Type 08: Importer of Firearms. Permits the importation of standard firearms and ammunition.
   • Type 11: Importer of Destructive Devices. Permits the importation of destructive devices, along with NFA items and specialized ammunition.
4. Collectors
   • Type 03 (C&R): Curios & Relics. Strictly for private collectors. It allows qualified individuals to legally acquire eligible antique and collectible firearms for a personal collection, rather than running a commercial storefront.

SOT stands for Special Occupational Taxpayer. It’s an additional federal status that certain FFL holders can obtain by paying a special tax to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

An SOT allows an FFL to legally deal in or manufacture certain firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), such as:

• Suppressors / silencers
• Short-barreled rifles (SBRs)
• Short-barreled shotguns (SBSs)
• Machine guns (with strict federal limitations)
• Destructive devices

For Example:

• A normal gun shop may have only an FFL.
  • FFL = basic federal firearms business license
• A suppressor dealer usually has an FFL + Class 3 SOT.
  • SOT = added authorization for NFA items

Common SOT classes include:

• Class 1 SOT: Importer of NFA firearms. Allows licensees to import NFA items for research, development, or for sale to government/law enforcement agencies. Pairs with FFL Types 08 and 11.
• Class 2 SOT: Manufacturer of NFA firearms. Allows licensees to both manufacture NFA items (like suppressors or short-barreled rifles) and deal them. Pairs with FFL Types 07 and 10.
• Class 3 SOT: Dealer in NFA firearms. The most common SOT for retail stores. It allows licensees to buy and sell pre-existing NFA items. Pairs with FFL Types 01, 02, and 09.

Buying Serialized Parts

In the U.S., serialized firearms must go through an FFL transfer because federal law uses licensed dealers as the legal checkpoint for firearm commerce and will process things such as: Background checks, Recordkeeping and tracing, Interstate commerce regulation, Verification of legality

The serialized component is the part legally considered the firearm.  Examples:

• On an AR-15, the lower receiver is the serialized firearm.
• On many pistols, the frame is the serialized part.

Because that serialized component is legally the firearm, transferring it typically requires an FFL under federal law.

What is the process of buying a Serialized Part?

All serialized parts need to be sent to an Federal Firearm Licensed store for pick up. The part cannot be shipped directly to the customer. 

• Step 1: Locate a local FFL for us to send your serialized product to
• Step 2: Purchase a serialized product that you are interested in.
• Step 3: At checkout, answer the required questions about where your FFL items will ship. 
  • The name of the PURCHASER and the name of the RECIPIENT must be the same, otherwise the order will be denied.

The customer is responsible to contact the receiving FFL and insure they will process the transfer, if the FFL refuses the customer is responsible for all shipping charges to return the package and process to ship to a new FFL for transfer of the serialized parts.

*If you do not provide the FFL information, we will hold your order for about 7 business days to give you time to locate a dealer. You can email your order number, and your FFL transfer contact information to [e-mail] Once you email us the information, we will then contact the FFL Dealer for further information.

Orders will not be shipped until we receive a valid copy of the FFL of your choice.

***Disclaimer:  All serialized parts/firearms are drop shipped and sold by Davidson Defense Inc. (a licensed FFL) 

Can I return it?

Certain items are considered final sale and cannot be returned such as 80% blanks and serialized items, you may refer to our return policy for a more detailed list of non-returnable items.

Refunds will be made against the original credit card used for payment. If the original credit card is no longer valid, an alternative form of payment will be made.

80% Blank Receivers and 76% Frames?

These are not serialized products and do not require an FFL.

Can I pick up a serialized item from Willcall?

Only if you are a Utah Resident.

Steps to Purchasing a Suppressor

1. Choose Your Suppressor

Pick based on caliber compatibility. A .22 LR suppressor won't handle .308 pressures. Multi-caliber options exist—like a .30 cal can that works on 5.56, .308, and .300 BLK—but they're bigger and heavier.

Mounting System: Direct thread OR Quick-detach (QD)

2. Find a Licensed Dealer

You can't ship a suppressor to your house. You need a Class 3 SOT dealer—an FFL licensed to sell NFA items.

Buy local or order online and transfer through a local dealer (transfer fees vary by dealer). The dealer holds your suppressor until ATF approval comes through.

3. Complete ATF Form 4

This is your application to transfer the suppressor from the dealer to you. Your dealer helps with this—experienced dealers walk first-timers through it.

You'll decide: individual or trust?

Individual: You're the only legal owner. Simplest option.

Trust: Multiple people can legally use the suppressor. More complex setup.

Most first-time buyers go individual.

4. Submit Fingerprints & Photos

You'll need two fingerprint cards and two passport-style photos. Your dealer usually coordinates this—some have everything on-site, others direct you to local services. Takes about 15 minutes.

5. Wait for Approval

Wait times vary depending on recent laws and events. At the time of writing the process is expected to be 34 - 45 days (On rare occasions we have heard it be as fast as a week), .

Your suppressor sits at the dealer during this time. You can't take it home or use it. Just wait.

6. Take Possession

When approval comes through, your dealer calls you in. You'll show ID, pick up your suppressor, and get your approved Form 4. Keep that Form 4 safe—it's your proof of legal ownership.

That's it. Go shoot.

Have more questions? Check out our blog with more details.
 

Serialized Products/Firearms

If a serialized product is purchased and we have to cancel the order, store credit for that portion of the order will be issued.

It is up to the customer to provide us with a Transfer Dealer’s FFL. A copy of the Transfer Dealer’s FFL can be sent to our Fax [phone] or Email [e-mail]. Orders older than thirty business days will automatically be canceled with a 25% restocking fee.

We are not responsible for refunding orders when someone does not pass a background check. Serialized products and Firearm sales after they ship are NON-REFUNDABLE/RETURNABLE.

Serialized products are subject to a $4.00 NON-REFUNDABLE handling fee.

There are certain persons who cannot legally receive or possess a firearm. These include:

1. Has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year;
2. Is a fugitive from justice;
3. Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;
4. Has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution;
5. Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States or an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa;
6. Has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
7. Having been a citizen of the United States has renounced his or her citizenship;
8. Is subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner; or
9. Has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
10. Cannot lawfully receive, possess, ship, or transport a firearm. 

Any non-licensee (FFL) will have to have any and all firearms (rifles, pistols, receivers, and other serialized parts) shipped to an FFL NOTE: IT IS A FEDERAL CRIME TO SHIP ANY FIREARM TO A NONLICENSEE (FFL).

All licensed firearm dealers will receive a copy of Delta Team Tactical's INC'S FFL with all orders. All licensed dealers purchasing from DELTA TEAM TACTICAL will need to supply a copy of their current FFL.

Note: NO FIREARMS WILL BE SHIPPED UNTIL WE RECEIVE A COPY OF THE FFL TRANSFER DEALER.
Shipment times start after this information is received.

Send all FFL info to [e-mail] or fax [phone] with your order number for faster service.

All Receivers Are Shipped As Long Arms To The State Of California, 21 Years Of Age Required As Well

Questions: 
You may reach out to us through our Submitting a ticket or by phone [phone]
Our phones are active Monday thru Friday, from 9am - 4:30pm (MST)

Visit our Show Room at:
Davidson Defense, 782 Auto Mall Drive, Unit B, American Fork, UT 84003

Why hasn’t my order with a serialized product shipped?

If you have not received your order and you have a serialized part, please have your FFL send a copy of their updated FFL license to [e-mail] with your order number as the subject line. Without this information, we cannot, by law, send out your order.

If you purchased a suppressor, please make sure the FFL you select also has an SOT. If the selected FFL does not have an SOT, you will need to choose a different dealer before we can ship your order.

Find an FFL/SOT

Here is our map

If you are shipping a suppressor to an SOT using our FFL map locator, please select a red dot location.

• Blue dots = Standard FFLs only
• Red dots = FFLs with SOTs

Do you want to be added to our FFL Map? Contact this email [e-mail]