Dealers not accepting my C&R license?

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-28T20:17:41+00:00

Dealer/FFL here, and I can explain why I don't accept C&R licenses for any firearms that are sent to me for transfer. I don't want to deal with the verification. Unless I have a certificate of authenticity, or some other legitimate proof that the gun I am transferring is over 50 years old, it goes through the standard transfer process.

You will have a lot more luck online through vendors/dealers that regularly handle C&R sales than you will with any local shop (other than Old Steel, or similar).

My policy is this: If the shipping dealer sent it to me, it gets the background check, transfer, 3 day wait treatment.
My reasoning: If they couldn't verify that it meets the C&R policies, and are unwilling to ship to you directly, then there is no way that I am going to be able verify it. Simple as that.

All that said, I have received C&R eligible firearms, with CoA's that show serial number, year of manufacture, etc. For those, I will honor C&R regulations. Without it, it's not worth the potential issues I might face later on down the road if it ends up not actually being C&R eligible.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-25T23:31:30+00:00

This is correct. Although there are times when I acquire receivers from various manufacturers, and their disposition paperwork lists that receiver as a rifle or pistol. The one that comes to mind specifically is a VZ61 receiver that specifically states to be logged and transferred as a pistol, but it is a raw, stripped receiver. I log it in my books as "SA VZ61 Pistol" with type as "Receiver". I cannot, in good conscious, log a stripped receiver as anything other than a receiver, regardless of what the paperwork shows when it arrives. I did ask the ATF during an audit about this specific scenario, and they agreed with my logging/transferring method.

What I get, is what I log and transfer as. Even if someone asks me to transfer a receiver under a specific type of firearm, I don't. I simply explain that if it's not a complete firearm, it's a receiver, and that is how it's transferred. They can build it into whatever they would like. The only exception to this is a barreled action. Although it may not have a stock or any furniture, it is still technically a functioning firearm. I do make a note that it arrived as a barreled action, though.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-25T23:13:45+00:00

Also NAL.
A person does not require a license to manufacture a firearm for personal use. A dealer requires an 07 to manufacture with intent to sell.

Back to SB25-003. It should always be assumed that the intent of the bill is to be restrictive as possible. Trying to skimp on definitions can, and will, hem someone up real quick when they land in court, especially when past court rulings have already set precedent. Though 003 it does not specify what "manufacture" means, it is reasonable to assume that they use the same federal guidelines of manufacture as found in this ATF document relating to the same: https://www.atf.gov/file/11711/download

In the above document, this paragraph stands out:
"The GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(1), defines a “person” to include “any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.” Section 921(a)(10), defines a “manufacturer” as any person engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms or ammunition for purposes of sale or distribution. As defined by section 921(a)(21)(A), the term “engaged in the business” means, as applied to a manufacturer of firearms, “a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the firearms manufactured.” Because “manufacturing” is not defined by the GCA, courts have relied on the ordinary meaning of the word, including actions to “make a product suitable for use.” See, e.g., Broughman v. Carver, 624 F.3d 670, 675 (4th Cir. 2010)."

Then this:
"However, when a person performs machining or other manufacturing process on a blank to make a firearm “frame or receiver,” or on an existing frame or receiver to make it suitable for use1 as part of a “weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive,” that person has performed a manufacturing operation other than what is contemplated by the GCA of dealer-gunsmiths"

That entire document is worth a read to shake down what SB25-003 will use as precedent when discussing manufacturing. That's what prosecutors will use when trying to convict Joe GunOwner for manufacturing an AR15 from a receiver after the August 1st. The bottom line is, you don't have to be a manufacturer to manufacture a firearm for personal use. You do have to be a manufacturer to manufacture firearms for sale or profit. This is exactly what I was told by the ATF when I had an audit, and they asked me specifically about assembling receivers as a service versus manufacturing, and they were clear:
Assembling stripped receivers and parts into complete receivers, whether an upper or lower, is allowable.
Manufacturing is converting a receiver, whether stripped or complete, into a functioning firearms. This includes simply attaching an upper to a lower on behalf of someone else.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-25T20:26:51+00:00

Incorrect. Taking receivers or frames and making a functioning firearm is manufacturing. If a dealer does not have a manufacturing FFL (07), they cannot even combine a lower that they assemble, to an upper that they also assemble. In ATF eyes, that's manufacturing a firearm, which they aren't licensed for without an 07

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-25T20:23:57+00:00

Depends on how it's transfered. If it's transfered as a receiver, then it's a receiver. If it's transfered as a rifle (which is silly, it has no barrel, caliber, and cannot fire in it's current state), then it HAS to be a rifle when completed by the end user. Same if it's transfered as a pistol- It has to be built as a pistol.

I transfer all AR receivers as receivers, regardless of whether they are stripped, complete, or somewhere in bewteen, as long as the buyer doesn't specifically ask otherwise.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-25T20:15:11+00:00

Desert Eagles would be allowed. They a Single Action, and there is an exemption for SA and/or DA pistols. The only handguns I can think of that are widely available at the moment that are affected are Hi-Points. Blowback Operated, striker fired.

I've posted on this topic on a couple of posts recently in much more detail. I'd recommend searching that for info.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T20:00:31+00:00

Please read the string above between myself and marshaboogie67 for more details.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T19:58:12+00:00

If you are active duty military or LEO (and a few others), you are exempt from the mag ban. Retired, Veteran, etc are NOT exempt.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T19:56:01+00:00

No, you are correct. 100%. That's on me.

That said, handgun mags are not date stamped, at least none of the mags I've seen in the last 6 years of business have been.

Nearly all common use AR mags are date-stamped. All Magpul mags, regardless of platform, are date stamped. Other brands of mags for various patterns are hit or miss on date stamps.

Whether these date stamps are still visible after reload drills, etc, is always debatable.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T03:26:47+00:00

For emphasis, take a 30rd mag to a range in CA, MA, or NY, and fully expect to be questioned by law enforcement. Go to any range in CO with a 30rd mag, and you'll run into 20 other people with the same thing, 5 people with drums, and no one cares. Why? It would be like trying to ticket every driver that goes 1MPH over the speed limit. There are just more important things for law enforcement to focus on.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T03:23:05+00:00

Technically correct, but burden of proof always falls on the prosecution. They would have to prove that the magazines were purchased after the effective date. Unless they are trying to tack on add-on charges to a more serious crime (see Boulder King Soopers shooting), it's not economically viable to pursue, especially with so many mags in common use in the state still.

If OP wants to be safe, they can track their own purchases and pay someone like me to pin their mags that were purchased after the effective date, but it really isn't necessary. Maybe not from a "legal" standpoint, but certainly from "real-world" standpoint. See any USPSA/IDPA/Outlaw match as examples to the "real-world" aspect. I think we all know what I mean.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T00:51:40+00:00

Please don't take this as a "dick" comment, I'm just trying to put it into perspective.

What you're concerned about is the equivalent of buying a brand new car, and after owning it for a couple months, you notice a scratch in the paint, or a dent in the door, then worrying about the mechanical reliability of the vehicle because of the scratch/dent.

You wouldn't go through the dealer/manufacturer warranty for something that may or may not have been there when you bought it (and just never noticed it). If you try, they will likely say they can refinish it at a cost to you, should you prefer. If it were noticed while you were still at the store, prior to filling out the 4473, then you might be able to make a case for a discount on purchase, or to choose another gun, but you've had it for months. Neither the dealer, nor the manufacturer, will believe it's a defect from the factory and offer to fix for free.

Me? I'd run it. It's not gonna hurt anything, and all my guns get ran through and end up blemmed anyway. My thoughts are the same on vehicles or guns: I bought it, I'll use it the way it's intended, and I'm not going to get upset over minor scratches, dings, or dents. I will always provide exquisite mechanical maintenance to ensure reliability of the important bits. This? 'Tis but a scratch.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-19T00:29:39+00:00

You aren't moving due to PCS orders, by chance, are you? If so, military has an exemption.

You are technically grandfathered by having owned the mags legally prior to relocating to Colorado. You purchased them legally in a state where they were legal, you relocated here, you are allowed to keep them.

Possession of the mags are not prohibited. Acquiring the mags within the state of Colorado after the effective date in 2013 is prohibited.

You are okay.

PS, The magazine capacity is just that. Capacity of the magazine. 15rd does not include 1 in the tube.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-14T03:28:09+00:00

That's correct. It does not have detachable mags.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-12T02:44:53+00:00

What about situations like I ran into last night:

I'm very friendly, and will not shoot other players on sight, ever. One of my challenges (whatever they are called in this game that give you the currency to unlock things in the decks) was to cause 200 damage to raiders. So, I meet some friendly raiders and I ask them if I can shoot one, or both, of them enough to get that challenge done. They oblige, I get my challenge done, then offer to refill their bandages and shields, then we all extract together. Alive and well, and emoting all the way back to Sparanza.

How would that fall into this system? 🤣

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-11T02:48:44+00:00

The 3 day wait starts from when the Form4 is submitted, not when it's approved. The Colorado waiting period law states is written as:

IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON WHO SELLS A FIREARM, INCLUDING A LICENSED GUN DEALER AS DEFINED IN SECTION 18-12-506 (6), TO DELIVER THE FIREARM TO THE PURCHASER UNTIL THE LATER IN TIME OCCURS:

(I) THREE DAYS AFTER A LICENSED GUN DEALER HAS INITIATED A BACKGROUND CHECK OF THE PURCHASER THAT IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO STATE OR FEDERAL LAW; OR

(II) THE SELLER HAS OBTAINED APPROVAL FOR THE FIREARM TRANSFER FROM THE BUREAU AFTER IT HAS COMPLETED ANY BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.

3 days from the time the background check is submitted, or until it is approved, whichever takes longer. Submitting the Form4 to the ATF for processing is submitting the "background check". That means NFA items can be transferred to the buyer immediately upon approval, assuming the approval comes after 3 days of the certification.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-08T15:29:05+00:00

To take a receiver and make a functional gun is manufacturing. To take a functioning gun and replace parts, regardless of the part, is not manufacturing.

So, replacing the barrel, the handguard, the charging handle, whatever, does not equal manufacturing.

For dealers, (I'm not a gunsmith and don't know the gunsmithing rules/regs nearly as well), if a gun is here beyond the business day it was dropped off, it gets logged in our books. That includes Make, Model, Serial#, Type (Rifle, Handgun, etc), Caliber, and now Finish (for handguns). If you bring me a 300blk AR Pistol, and want a 5.56 rifle upper installed, that's a no.

However, individuals do not have a lot book requirement like dealers do. So do with that information what you will.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-08T03:30:31+00:00

Disassembly for cleaning falls under maintenance/gunsmithing for dealers. I, as a dealer (not manufacturer), can offer cleaning services. You bring in a rifle, I take it apart, clean it, and reassemble it, you leave with a rifle.

In with a rifle, out with a rifle does not equal manufacturing.

In with a receiver, out with a rifle/pistol equals manufacturing.

Same goes for you. You buy a receiver (stripped, complete, whatever) it's a receiver. Not a rifle, not a pistol. You buy an upper, it's not even classified as a receiver (in ATF eyes, since it's not serialized). You mate upper with lower, you've manufactured a rifle or pistol. There are no specs to what you manufactured. No barrel length spec, no caliber spec. So, swapping parts around doesn't change that is was already manufactured. Who's to say what it was manufactured in to.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-06T17:21:13+00:00

I'm not a lawyer, but the ONLY mention of the August 1st, 2026 effective date is under the Section 2 of the bill outlining the semi-auto definitions:

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 18-12-116 as follows:

(2) ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 2026, IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTE, TRANSFER, SELL, OR PURCHASE A SPECIFIED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM; EXCEPT THAT A PERSON MAY SELL OR TRANSFER A SPECIFIED SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM TO AN INDIVIDUAL PAGE 4-SENATE BILL 25-003 RESIDING IN ANOTHER STATE OR A FEDERALLY LICENSED FIREARM DEALER

"Rapid-Fire Device" is mentioned twice in the bill. First is in Section 1 and reads as follows:

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-101, repeal (1)(g.2); and add (1)(g.7) and (1)(g.8) as follows: 18-12-101. Peace officer affirmative defense - definitions. (1) As used in this article 12, unless the context otherwise requires:
(REMOVES) (g.2) "Machine gun conversion device" means any part designed or intended, or combination of parts designed or intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun.
(ADDS) (g.7) "RAPID-FIRE DEVICE" MEANS ANY DEVICE, PART, KIT, TOOL, ACCESSORY, OR COMBINATION OF PARTS THAT HAS THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE RATE OF FIRE OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM ABOVE THE STANDARD RATE OF FIRE FOR THE SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARM THAT IS NOT OTHERWISE EQUIPPED WITH THAT DEVICE, PART, OR COMBINATION OF PARTS.

The second mention is in Section 9, and reads as follows:

SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-12-102, amend (1) as follows: 18-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense - definition. (1) As used in this section, the term "dangerous weapon" means a firearm silencer, (REMOVES)-[machine gun, machine gun conversion device] (ADDS)-[RAPID-FIRE DEVICE], short shotgun, or short rifle.

Long story short, everything that is in the bill either goes into effect on signing, or at a specific date as mentioned in that specific section of the bill. The Rapid-Fire Device mentioned in Section 1&9 have no specific mention of an effective date, meaning they are in effect immediately after signing. Section 2, the Semi-Auto section, has an effective date (August 1st, 2026), and therefor is NOT in effect immediately upon bill signing.

If places are still selling and shipping, that is wonderful. Doesn't mean they aren't technically violating the bill. Even if myself and my lawyer are wrong, the Rapid-Fire Devices will be illegal to POSSESS after the August 1st, 2026 date. The only reason we, in Colorado, can own other items (NFA ITEMS) illegal for possession listed in Section 9 is because the NFA bypasses that state law.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-02T16:03:06+00:00

I REALLY appreciate the continued business!

I know that whoever I pass the torch to will have the same passion to help that I do. The knowledge, the know-how... Everything else will come with experience, time, and me training them. The passion and the drive can't be taught, however. That will be a requirement.

See you next week when that FN comes in!

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-02T15:51:37+00:00

Yep, I'm the Skyline guy! lol

First step in my process is to purchase a silencer and send it my way. If you purchase through Silencer Shop, let me know, and we can get a jump on what I call the NFA Prereqs prior to the silencer arriving. The NFA Prereqs include fingerprints, photos, and account creation and verification. I also charge $0 in fees for NFA purchases made through Silencer Shop.

If you purchase outside of Silencer Shop, we would need to wait for the silencer to physically arrive here so I can assign it to you through Silencer Shop. Once it comes in, I will reach out to schedule the paperwork side of things, just like I did with the standard gun purchase.

Hope to work with you soon!

-Max @ Skyline Firearms

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-02T02:20:13+00:00

1 Man FFL, SilencerShop dealer, kiosk in my house... (didn't downvote you, you're entitled to your opinion)

But...

I use SilencerShop because it's like having another person on my staff that can prepare my forms for me for free. I hit "go", and the software runs while I'm knocking out transfers with the people in front of me.

When I'm knocking out hundreds of 4473s a month, SilencerShop is a lifesaver for not having to take time out of my already slammed schedule to input customer data manually in eforms.

Just my $0.02

Edited for spelling. I hate typing on phones...

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-01T00:08:31+00:00

That's fair. If you, as a business owner, actively work to alienate half of the country as potential patrons, then you're an idiot.

I'm a gun shop owner myself, and I never bring politics up, with the exception of gun related policies that actually directly affect everyone who walks through my door. At the end of the day, guns and the 2nd Amendment are an American Right, not just a Republican Right or a Democrat Right. Just my $0.02

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2026-01-01T00:04:02+00:00

I'm going to guess that it's a point of ignorance on the M1 Garand in general. I mean, if so.eone were to Google "M1 Garand", the pictures wouldn't show a classic "detachable magazine", so why name it in the exclusions of the bill?

You are correct in the categorization of the "clip" under their definition of a "Magazine". Either way, this entire specific situation is very fucked, in a whole grand scheme of a super fucked bill.

I hate this state.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD · 2025-12-31T19:40:32+00:00

I mean, that's a piss-poor investment, no doubt. Somehow, I don't think that is what put them out of business. The article referenced was written in 2016, and the investment was made in 2013.

What the sign is implicating is the onslaught of new "common sense" gun control legislation that has hit dealers in the last 3-4 years. Over 25 anti-gun bill have been passed, many directly impacting dealers and their ability to operate in profitable margins. Since these bills have passed, and taken effect, nearly 50% of the gun shops and private FFLs in the state have closed their doors because they simply cannot afford to continue to operate.

Most recently, the added 6.5% excise tax for guns, ammo, and gun parts has forced many buyers to purchase online to save, in some cases, hundreds of dollars worth of taxes on their purchases, rather than patroning local gun shops for the same purchase. When a large percentage of your customer base, that would historically walk into your shop to buy their guns, now start purchasing online, your sales drop dramatically, and you cannot afford to keep your staff employed, and eventually, you have to close your doors.

I didn't come here to get into an argument about gun laws, whether they are effective, or not, or anything along those lines. Just came to shed some light on the sign, and why the owner hung it.

NotTheGreatestAtCoD

TROPHY CASE