1. What does Curio & Relic (C&R) mean?The term "Curio & Relic" is defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as:
Quote:
Firearm curios or relics include firearms which have special value to collectors because they possess some qualities not ordinarily associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:
1. Have been manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof; or
2. Be certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; or
3. Derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or from the fact of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.
In more real-world terms, a C&R firearm is one that:
1. Is in its original, unmodified condition*;
and2. Is at least 50 years old
OR is on the
ATF's list of C&R firearms.
* Some minor modifications are allowed (e.g., replacement sights) but more significant changes such as sporterized stocks are specifically excluded. Barreled receivers are not eligible for C&R status.
2. What is a C&R license? Should I get one?A "C&R license" is a Type 03 Federal Firearms License, sometimes referred to as an 03 FFL. If you have one, then you can provide a copy of your license and:
1. Receive C&R firearms directly from out-of-state sellers, both private and retail. Firearms can be shipped directly to your door, without the need to be transferred through another dealer.
2. Purchase C&R firearms from in-state private sellers without going through a dealer to conduct a background check. Note that purchases from in-state dealers will typically still require the normal background check.
3. Receive a "dealer discount" at many popular retailers such as Brownells.com and others.
C&R licensees are required to maintain a "bound book" record of all purchases and sales of C&R firearms. All C&R firearms purchased while the license is current are required to be entered into the bound book, regardless of whether you used the C&R license to buy the gun.
3. How do I obtain a C&R license?1. Download
ATF form 7CR.
2. Mail the necessary pages along with the $30 fee to the ATF.
3. Mail the necessary pages to your Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO). This is typically your local chief of police or sheriff.
4. Wait! It might take a few weeks, or it might take a few months. Be patient. :)
5. When the license arrives,
do not sign it. Make copies, and sign the copies in
blue ink. When you provide a copy of your license, it will need to have an original signature.
4. I have my license . . . what do I do now?1. Scan one of the signed copies of your license. Many retailers will accept e-mailed copies of the license.
2. Create a "bound book." A typical page can be downloaded below
(make sure you are logged in!); put these into a three-ring binder or similar.
Attachment:
Bound Book Page.pdf
3. E-mail copies of your license to your favorite online retailers and ask them to keep it on file and provide you with dealer discounts. Some will do this, and others will not.
4. START SHOPPING FOR C&R FIREARMS!
WARNING #1: This can be addictive, and expensive! Check your bank balance often.
WARNING #2: I am not a lawyer, I don't have all of the answers, and there are often "gray areas" in the law.
When in doubt, consult the ATF!
5. I'm moving . . . how do I change my address with the ATF?Your C&R FFL license has your address printed on it, and that is the ONLY address to which you can have firearms shipped. Therefore, it is important (not to mention required) that you notify the ATF when you change your address. The ATF requires this to be done a minimum of 30 days prior to your address change . . . which can be darned near impossible, given the process for finding a new home. However, it seems that the ATF overlooks this when they process the form for C&R holders, so don't sweat it -- just send it in as soon as you can.
To change your address:
1) Fill out ATF form 5300.38, "Application for an Amended Federal Firearms License." You should have received this from with your original C&R packet, when you received your license. You can also download the form here:
ATF Form 5300.38. When filling out this form for a C&R license, you may ignore items 4, 14, 15, 16 and 17 on the form as they do not apply to you.
2) Send one copy ("Copy 1" if you are using the original form) to the ATF at the address shown.
You must also send them your original FFL. Yes, I know that the form does not tell you to do that . . . but you need to. Include it with form 5300.38 in the envelope.
3) Send one copy ("Copy 2" if you are using the original form) to your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (sheriff, police chief, etc.). This is purely informational for the CLEO, just like the copy you sent him/her when you applied for your original license.
4) Wait. Relax. The ATF will send your new license to your new address. The new license will have a difference license number.
6. Where can I get more information?ATF List of C&R FAQsCruffler.com "The Fine Art of Becoming a CRUFFLER"How do I become a collector of curios and relics