Type 03 FFL is a Federal Firearm Licence type for Collectors of Curios and Relics. Click for FFL03 Application

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) certifies the Department of Justice (DOJ) has checked its records and determined the recipient is not prohibited from acquiring or possessing firearms at the time the firearms eligibility criminal background check was performed. Click for COE Application

In addition to the ability to buy ammunition without involving a licenced vendor, people who possess Type 03 FFL and CA COE may also:

- Buy Curio & Relic long guns from CA residents in person, without going to a dealer
- Buy Curio & Relic firearms outside of California, and personally bring them to the state
- Use COE instead of Firearms Safery Certificate
- Buy more than one handgun in 30 days period
- Skip 10 days wait for C&R firearms

- May purchase more than one handgun in a 30 day period
- Import ammunition obtained outside of California
- See more details at "Laws" section.

- 03 FFL holders are required to keep records of all C&R firearm acquisitions
- C&R firearms are subject to occasional audit by ATF
- 03 FFL License costs $30/3 years; COE costs $22/year; initial COE costs can be as high as $200 including a live scan
- There is no guarantee that California Democratic Party will not abolish all FFL exemptions through legislature in the future. 

FFL03 Process

1. ⁠download and fill out FFL application (form 7) found on this page.  https://www.atf.gov/firearms/instructions-form-77cr-application-federal-firearms-license

2. ⁠Check appropriate boxes for “collector.”Mark box for type 03 “collector of curios and relics”

3. ⁠In “position/title” field on part B, put “collector”

4. ⁠If you fill this out on the computer it automatically fills out the duplicate copy

5. ⁠You do not need to submit a picture or fingerprint card. Just the completed application.

6. ⁠Send $30 payment and application to the address on the form. I put my credit card info on the form because I wanted to know when they processed payment, but you can send a check if you don’t want them to have your CC info.

7. ⁠Mail the duplicate copy to your head of police. I included a piece of paper that said “For informational purposes only.”

8. ⁠VERY IMPORTANT: when you get your FFL in the mail DO NOT sign the original copy.

COE process

Info page: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/cert-eligibility

1. ⁠Fill out this livescan form https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/bcia8016.pdf

2. ⁠Get a livescan done. You can find a list of locations on the website. Use the search. You can find places that charge $20 rolling fee https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations

3. ⁠Retain the copy of the livescan form. You’ll need the ATI #

4. ⁠Create an account on CFARS website. https://cfars.doj.ca.gov/login

5. ⁠Log into CFARS and submit a new application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

6. ⁠When filling out the application, you must include a copy of your FFL 03 before they will proceed with your COE.