As you all know I applied for and was granted a FFL C&R. Having one is a great thing...I have seen Mosin Nagant Rifles for as low at $69 plus shipping right to your door. Once you are granted this license by the BATF (it is easy to get as long as your not a criminal or have mental issues.) you are REQUIRED to keep a bound book of all your C&R purchases.
The BATF can request to see your bound book at any time (most likely they will contact you via letter or phone call to setup a date - and you will need to comply). It is imperative you keep this record and accurately record all of your transactions in it. There are some arguments as to the rules around the bound book but here is what I have been able to gather (my rules are the most conservative to be safe). 1.) Must follow a specific format. 2.) Must be a physical log, electronic logs are not acceptable (although I think they are for regular FFL's and you can send in a form to BATF asking for a special disposition to use electronic records). 3.) Must be retained even if you give up your license. 4.) You must record any C&R purchase in the book from the time you have the license forward.
One good example is the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). You can buy an Garand from them with no FFL or FFL C&R. If you have a C&R, because the Garand is a C&R weapon YOU MUST record this in your bound book even though you did not need your C&R to make the purchase (People have given me grief on this - do what you want, but Surplus Rifle followed up with ATF and this is FACT, the only weapons you don't need to to record are weapons not desginated C&R eligible period). You must also record any sale or "give away" of one of your C&R weapons in the disposition portion of your bound book. Purchases or sales of modern firearms (not designated as a C&R) do not need to be recorded in your log. Below is an example of an accepted format for your bound book:
Below are pictures of my "bound book" - I already have a space for my SKS - arrives Monday...Hurray!
The ATF rules and regulations will make you want to poke your eyes out because of the wording. I would always recommend to err of the side of caution unless you want masked agents breaking down your door and enjoy prison food.
Disclaimer: The process below worked for me. Your mileage may vary. Be A Survivor is not responsible for your success or failure. Don't screw with the ATF as they will make you their bitch in short order. In other words don't lie, cheat or break any of their rules. You have been warned. - Flea
---BELOW IS A REPRINT OF HOW TO OBTAIN YOU C&R FROM SURPLUS RIFLE (SurplusRifle.com): ---
WHAT IS A C&R LICENSE? The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF or ATF) was originally under the control of the Dept. of Treasury, but in 2003, the law enforcement portions of ATF were transferred to the Dept. of Justice. ATF is essentially a tax collecting, law enforcement and regulatory arm of Justice/Treasury dealing in alcohol, tobacco and firearms (duh). In terms of firearms, the ATF is the federal government agency that issues so called Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL). There are several types of FFLs that one can get. The “full license” that allows the licensee to purchase pretty much any firearm is what is called an “FFL 01” type or dealers license. This is a business type license, not used for collecting, but rather for buying and selling to others. There are other categories that deal with manufacturing and importing firearms. The type of license we will focus on is the “FFL 03 C&R” or simply “C&R”. The FFL 03 C&R, or Curios and Relics is, simply put, using the words of my wife, a neutered FFL 01 license. The C&R allows you to purchase eligible firearms across state lines, transfer eligible weapons between licensed people, and order eligible weapons through the mail (UPS or FedEx). It is NOT a business license; it is purely for your own collecting activities. You have to be careful about that. Yes, you can sell a C&R acquired eligible firearm, but you cannot do it for your “livelihood”. You may sell or “dispose” of a C&R weapon to anyone not prohibited in your state, or to a licensee in another state. A C&R license allows you to purchase rifles, pistols, shotguns and machineguns (yep, there are some of them too) that are on the ATF C&R list. Basically, these are weapons that are at least 50 years or older. HOWEVER, just because a weapon is 50 or more years old, does not make it an automatic C&R eligible weapon. ATF has a web page that lists all of the C&R eligible weapons at: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/curios/index.htm Some listings of interest are: All Original military bolt action and semiautomatic rifles mfd. between 1899 and 1946. All properly marked and identified semiautomatic pistols and revolvers used by, or mfd. for, any military organization prior to 1946. All shotguns, properly marked and identified as mfd. for any military organization prior to 1946 and in their original military configuration only U.S. Rifle, caliber .30, M1, original issue only, produced prior to 1958. The key word in these lists are “original”. That is, if the rifle was altered as a sporter, it no longer is eligible as a C&R rifle. One has to be careful about that. The question is, at what point is it considered “altered”? There is also some debate about rifles that were altered by the military into another military rifle, such as a 7mm 1916 Spanish Mauser into a 7.62 NATO “Guardia Civil”. There are some that argue that it was altered and is therefore not eligible. I had sent in that specific question to ATF. Here is the reply: “You also asked if the “Modelo 1916 Spanish Short rifle Mauser” rifle is classified as a curio or relic. Any Spanish Model 1916 military rifles in original military configuration quality as curios or relics as that term is defined in Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, part 178, section 178.11 {NOTE: See insert above}. This classification includes the FR7 and FR8 variations chambered for the 7.62 Cetme cartridge. These curios or relics may be transferred to federally licensed collections as provided in 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. They are still firearms as defined in 18 U.S.C. section 921(a)(3).” Okay…as *I* read the ATF reply, the “Guardia Civil” and the FR7/8 rifles ARE C&R eligible rifles being that they are “original” rifles, HOWEVER, they must have be at least 50 years old (first requirement listed). I suppose you may argue that these rifles, regardless of when they were converted, would be covered under the “…novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.” part of section 178.11. If you have a specific example that you are wondering if it is a C&R eligible firearm, you need to contact ATF Technical Division directly (in writing only) and send them specific information on the weapon and photos if you can. They will make a ruling on the weapon and contact you back. DO NOT BOTHER to call a local ATF region office with a firearms ruling. They will only steer you back to the ATF Technical people. The local ATF is good for general questions about the C&R and help in filling out the forms. The address to submit a letter of ruling and eligibility of a firearm is: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Firearms Technology Branch 244 Needy Road Martinsburg, WV 25401 On that note, you must also realize that there are federal firearms laws and also state and local laws. You are required to follow both. To help you out in your local state, ATF sends a copy of current state laws (all the states) in your welcome license kit. A C&R is NOT a license to carry a concealed weapon nor overwrites your local firearms regulations and laws! In some cases, some sellers will require a C&R for ammo purchase. This is more for proof of age.
HOW DO I GET A C&R? You have to meet some minimum qualifications first: 21 years or more of age; You cannot be prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition; (i.e., you are not a convicted felon, also, you have to be a US citizen or permanent resident or have special dispensation) You have not willfully violated the Gun Control Act (GCA) or its regulations; You have not willfully failed to disclose material information or willfully made false statements concerning material facts in connection with his application (in other words, you did not lie on your application!) If you think you are eligible for the license, then there are a couple of ways to get the required forms. You USED to be able to download the forms or get them sent from your local ATF office. That is no longer the case. Now you need to either contact their central distribution center via online or phone. There is no charge to get the forms. Online: go to http://www.atf.treas.gov/dcof/index.htm and request (on the right side of the screen) “F7CR 5310.16 Application for License (Collector of Curios and Relics) Under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, Firearms” They will ship the forms to you in a week or two. Phone: Call (703) 455-7801 and put in your request for a “Form 7CR, Curio or Relic application kit” Again, it will take a week or two to get the forms. In about a week or two, you will receive a packet in the mail that has a couple of forms in it. I would highly recommend that you photocopy the forms and use the copies to “practice and edit” with before you fill out the ones to be sent in. The new form is four pages long, instead of the two from before. As in previous versions, there are two copies to each form, Copy 1 goes to ATF and Copy 2 gets submitted to your CLEO (Chief Law Enforcement Officer) for you area. An easy way to figure out who your CLEO, answer the questions, “who would come to your door when you dial 911?”. New to this form: · The ability to pay via credit card, information filled out on the form · Additional space to list names of people for multi person (corporate, partnership) licenses · Country of citizenship block · Race and Ethnicity information (check boxes) · Residence phone number · Addition of the 18 USC 922 (g)(5)(B) Certification of Compliance information on the form · Previous FFL license information requests · Signature block has additional statements on release of information. Let’s go through it step by step:
F7CR Form items: (use a ball point ink pen and print or type to fill out the form) Items 1-6: Self explanatory. Use full names and do not use abbreviations in addresses. Item 7: The majority of us will check “individual”. When I asked ATF about other category examples they gave museums as a corporation and a partnership as being held by several friends. It still lacks distinct clarity. Item 8: If you want to pay via credit card, fill this section out. Make sure that you use the billing address of the credit card if it is different from where you want the license address to go to. Make sure that you sign the authorization to allow ATF to charge the card. Item 9: For each person 1. Make sure you use your FULL name, no initials. 2. Social Security number and position. In the case of an individual, you can use “owner”. I would think that “collector” would work also. 3. Give your FULL mailing address. If you can, do not use abbreviations at all. If you lived at other addresses in the past 5 years, you will need to note them as well. 4. Give country of citizenship. Note: if you are a nonimmigrant alien, you will need to complete items in #10. For a definition of nonimmigrant alien, see the back of the form. If you are a US citizen, you will not need to complete ALL of Item #10 5. Give place of birth 6. Date of birth 7. Check your race/ethnicity. It appears this is MANDATORY, not simply requested. 8. Sex (yes please!) 9. Residence phone number, with area code. Item 10: Fill in “A.” with your name (if you are a US citizen) then skip to Item 11. If you have nonimmigrant status you will need to fill out parts B and C as well. Item 11. This is a new section that asks about previous FFL issuances. If you mark any YES, you will need to supply a separate sheet answering the question in detail. Item 12&13. Make sure you check EACH of the line items either Yes or No. You may need to attach a separate explanatory page if required. Item 14. Make sure that you check (Initial) EACH of the boxes. This is where you agree that you will check on your local laws, you will follow your local laws and also contact your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) (sheriff, chief etc.), which you will have to provide the NAME of and ADDRESS of. Item 15. This certification is different and much more in depth compared to the old form. Whereas before you were simply stating you certify that the application was true to the best of your knowledge, the new form goes on to give ATF authorization to perform a background check as well as access employment, military, medical and police records. MAKE SURE YOU SIGN AND DATE THE FORM. NOW GO BACK AND TRIPLE CHECK YOUR FORM! The license costs $30 for 3 years. If you did not authorize the use of a credit card, MAKE SURE YOU ENCLOSE A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER payable to ATF. Write your SSN on your check or money order as well. Fill out the second copy of the F7CR exactly as you did the first and photocopy the entire form (front and back) of both the ATF and CLEO copies for your records.
AND FINALLY: Send the ATF form and payment to the address listed on the back of the form. You can mail out the CLEO copy the same time you send your form to ATF, you do not need to wait on any response from the CLEO. It is their duty to contact ATF if they have an issue with your application. The CLEO copy does not need payment information attached. AGAIN, before you send off the forms to the ATF and your CLEO, make copies for yourself. MAKE SURE YOU COPY THE BACK SIDE OF THE FORMS AS WELL for your records. There are contact numbers and addresses on the back. In addition to the two forms, I also got a copy of “Firearms Curios and Relics List” (revised April 2004) in the packet. This booklet lists all the firearms that are regarded as C&R eligible PLUS it lists the laws that govern C&R licenses. The publication number is ATF P 5300.11 Revised April 2004. I would highly recommend that when you order the forms from the distribution center, you request one of these books as well. In the past, this book has been part of the “welcome package” that typically shows up before they ship your license copy, but it never hurts to make sure that you have one on hand.
WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU GET THE LICENSE? If all goes well, your license should be mailed to you in 6 to 8 weeks. These times vary by quite a bit. If it seems like it is taking too much time, you may contact ATF about it. The number is on the back of the F7CR form. For sure, your check will be cashed sooner than later! ATF will send you ONE copy of the license. DO NOT SIGN THE ORIGINAL!!! The VERY first thing to do to is make clear photocopies of the license. Make like a dozen or more. Then put the original in a safe place where you can find it again. You will use the COPIES when you buy/sell C&R weapons. You will need to sign copies in INK prior to using them. ATF will also send you a “welcome” kit that will contain a current copy of State firearm laws and some other info. This will come separate from your license. When you get the kit, do not freak out. There is a LOT of extra stuff there that actually does not pertain to C&R licensees. It seems they send out generic kits to all new licensees. For some more general information on your license, see the ATF FAQ list at: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm Now, that you have that half sheet of paper what do you do? What else?!? You start to BUY!!! Many companies will only sell to licensed people, so you need to send them a copy of the license (signed) and request to be put on their list. They have to have a signed license on file before they will ship a firearm. What I did was make a form letter requesting I be put on their mailing list, that they file my license and also offer me any discounts that they offer and sent them to various companies with a license signed copy.
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...that is all.
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Build the Perfect Survival Kit
by John D. McCann is a book entirely around the components and building of survival kits. There are big kits, mini-kits, vehicle kits and everything in between. This is a fairly easy read at less than 200 pages, something you should be able to finish in a few hours. Survival kits are a very important aspect of survival. At a very minimum you should have some sort of kit in each of your vehicles. Many people carry mini kits around with them as part of their EDC (Every Day Carry), I do not. I always have a knife on me and I have a photon type light on my key chain, that is about it for me. Once I get my CCW my S&W M&P 9c will become a part of my EDC. I do have basic kits in each vehicle consisting of work gloves, a wool blanket, fleece, a fixed blade knife, socket set, assorted screwdrivers, jumper cables, fire steel, canteen, metal canteen cup, water purification tablets, bungees, rope, a couple of tarps and and a small hatchet. I am in process of getting some Mainstay rations and liter sized Aquablox as well as some sort of first aid kit in there too. 
is my EDC (Every Day Carry). I was looking for a quality folder and had heard very good things about Benchmade so I picked it up a few months ago. The knife has a drop point blade and comes with a pocket clip, no sheath. This is absolutely fine with me as I clip the knife to the inside of my front pocket for ease of reach (the knife in in the pocket, the only thing visible outside would be the clip). You will notice the blade is a regular blade, no serrations. I prefer this setup on a smaller knife over a blade with serrations. I do have a fixed blade with more blade length that has serrations if I need them. The blades uses an ambidextrous thumb stud to control the locking mechanism (the clip is ambidextrous as well and can be moved to the other side of the knife if you prefer). The thumb stud makes it extremely easy to "flick" the knife open with one hand...this is extremely important if your other hand is injured and you only have the one hand available to manipulate objects. It closes just as easily as it opens; below is a video of myself "flicking" it open and closed with one hand...the other hand is operating the camera.
by Jack A.