Could Your Neighbor Be a Cruffler?

There is a little known segment of society that strikes fear into the hearts of hoplophobes. Members are largely unseen, usually unheard, and mostly unknown. They are the Crufflers.

Cruffler is the nickname given to a holder of a Class 3 Federal Firearms License. The so-called Collectors of Curios and Relics firearms license is issued by the BATF to private individuals for the purpose of collecting historic or interesting firearms. Crufflers can not engage in the business of selling firearms; but are allowed to buy, sell, and trade in order to further their collections.

The BATF determines what firearms are eligible to be bought and sold as collectible. As a general rule, firearms must be 50 years old or older and in their original configuration in order to qualify as C&R eligible. Crufflers often collect historic firearms from a variety of countries.

The C&R license allows its holder to have eligible firearms shipped directly to their home without going through a firearms dealer as is required for most on-line purchases. In addition, C&R license holders do not have to complete the normal paperwork when conducting a face to face purchase of an eligible firearm from a licensed dealer. Crufflers are required to maintain a log of all their C&R firearms for as long as they maintain the license.

Information on how to obtain an 03 FFL can be obtained here: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/how-to/become-an-ffl.html The cost is $35 for a three year license.