[fnfs2000]

This is not a measure of gun stores, this is a measure of licensed dealers. Many, many dealers do not operate a "store", so the title is totally misleading.

[ctdonath]

That used to be the case, but now a "brick and mortar storefront" is a de-facto requirement, the Clinton Administration having aggressively ended "kitchen table gun dealers" and reduced the total number of dealers by some 75% nationally. The only practical exceptions are "gun show vendors".

ETA: other dealers do exist, yes, but nowhere close to the numbers of some years ago, and not to the point of making "the title totally misleading".

[F00Fbug]

In the last three years, I've bought five guns from a FFL dealer who has no store, while sitting at his kitchen table in his house. (In Maryland, no less!)

[mcjon77]

In my experience, the majority of FFL license holders do not have a storefront. In fact, I just did a quick survey of the 20 FFL's who do business near my zip code. Only 8 had storefronts. There is big business in running background checks.

[OopsCriticality]

There's also the concierge-style who do things primarily by appointment and primarily handle transfers/consignments and sell accessories. Kind of splits the difference between a store proper and the "kitchen table" folk.

[NiftyFifty]

Right, but a store is no longer brick and mortar and our industry in particular facilitated the change. Namely, Ebay as a market place, but most "stores" do not operate as an entity as we would image in the real world. Case in point, is the FFL Class 7 gunsmiths option. This can be done from home, and can be used as a dealer license. You simply have to operate in a secure area very distinctly different than your home residence - namely locked door, separate entrance, and a ton of other exceptions. BUT you do not operate as a brick and mortar.