NFA guide?

[gunsablazin]

What happened to the first page of the NFA rules section? I am interested in getting an AR 9mm SBR, and would like to check out the laws/rules covering the ownership of same.

[monkeylizard]

Is this what you're looking for? It's stickied at the top of this NFA forum.

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/class-iii-nfa-firearms-accessories/6890-nfa-guide-what-you-need-know-about-class-iii-firearms.html

[gunsablazin]

Yes, but there is nothing there anymore.

[Guest kickstand]

Link worked fine for me...

Silencers:

More correctly referred to as sound suppressors, and often simply called "cans". The silencer is probably the most useful of all NFA firearms, and are considered firearms by law, even though they don't actually shoot bullets.

Suppressors can be purchased from NFA dealers (like HeroGuns) by any citizen eligible to buy a handgun.

The process is a little more complicated than the Instant Check, but still pretty straightforward;

Step 1:

Pick out the suppressor that you want, either something in stock or a model that we order in for you.

Because of the legalities involved, we require at least a 50% deposit on any NFA item ordered for a customer.

If the suppressor is in stock, or once it has physically arrived at HeroGuns, we can move to Step 2.

Step 2:

This is the labor-intensive part!

Now we can fill out an ATF Form 4, which is an application for a NFA tax stamp.

The questions are pretty much the same stuff that's on an ATF Form 4473 that you fill out to buy a gun, but you have to attach a few items:

-One is a 2" x 2" photograph, much like the one on a passport application. Just go ahead and smile, and don't wear your "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" T-shirt that day!

-Another is a set of 2 fingerprint cards. Your local Sheriff's Department would be happy to get those done for you

(Remember; Sheriff's are elected), just give them a call and set up an appointment.

Speaking of your local Sheriff, you need to get a quick appointment with him or her anyway, because the Form 4 has to be signed by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in your county.

The staff at HeroGuns know most of the local Sheriffs, and every Sheriff we have asked have said they have no problem signing these forms for the fine citizens of their respective counties.

-The final and most painful thing you have to send in with your Form 4 is a check to the ATF for $200.00.

Its a one-time fee for each NFA item you purchase, so you won't ever have to pay it again for your supressor, but will have to pay it for the Short Barreled Shotgun you buy the next month.

**One last thing about the Form 4; there's a question about the purpose for obtaining an NFA weapon.

I've had good luck with "...For collection purposes...", pretty much a polite way of saying "I'm not a criminal, so it's none of your business".

Once everything is gathered, we put it all in a big envelope and mail it Certified Mail to the ATF Licensing Center. On to Step 3!!!

Step 3:

This is, without a doubt, the worst part. Now you wait.

In the past, ATF has taken up to 6 months to process the Form 4 and get tax stamps back.

Recently, wait times seem to be be running closer to 5-8 weeks. Still too long, but definitely better.

During this time, the supressor sits in our safe, lonely and wanting to go home with it's new owner.

At any time you can pay the remaining balance and the supressor is yours, but it still can't leave our custody until your stamp gets back. If, by some chance, you go shooting with us, the suppressor can come along and you can shoot the bejeezus out of it.

But remember, it has to come back with us when we leave the range.

Just when you think you can't wait anymore, your stamp comes in. (It comes to us, by the way. So don't wear out the path to your mailbox looking for it)

We'll give you a call, inform you that your stamp has arrived, and then see how fast you can make it down to the shop.

Once you arrive, you fill out a Form 4473 (no background check or $10 fee is required) and you're a suppressor owner.

**Make copies of your tax stamp, and put the original in a very safe place. You need to have a copy of the stamp with you at all times when you have the suppressor. Enjoy!!

Short Barreled Shotguns and Rifles:

Often called "sawn-off" or "sawed-off" guns, the process of obtaining a SBS or SBR is at least as simple or potentially easier than obtaining a suppressor.

If we have a "shorty" in stock, or order one already made for you, the process for ownership is identical.

There is one exception to this, however; Some NFA weapons are classified as "Any Other Weapon" (AOW) items. Smoothbore pistols for example, are classified as AOWs.

This has led to several manufacturers building pistols on brand-new shotgun receivers, resulting in a big pistol that shoots shotgun shells.

The cool part is, buying an AOW is just like buying a suppressor, except the tax is only five bucks!!!

Now for the other big secret to short-barreled success:

YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF!!!

Now, don't break out your hacksaw just yet, there's a little more to it than that.

A citizen can manufacture an NFA item (except for a machine gun) for his or her own use. You just have to fill out an ATF Form 1, Application to Make and Register a Firearm.

This form has the same required data, fingerprint, Sheriff sign-off, and photograph requirements as a Form 4, as well as some technical data about the firearm you're making; barrel length, caliber, serial number, etc.

You're also required to buy the same $200.00 tax stamp to manufacture your NFA item.

**Note: Don't even THINK about doing anything to your gun before you get your stamp back!!! ATF has ruled that even possessing the short barrel and the firearm is illegal until you have received your stamp.

Once you have your stamp back, you can cut/replace the barrel as described on the stamp, and enjoy your new and improved NFA item.

***Another note: If you ever want to sell your shorty, you can only sell it to or through a NFA licensed dealer.

(But we doubt you will ever want to sell it...)

[TGO David]

I see everything on that page.

[gunsablazin]

For whatever reason the page is blank to me, but thanks for the help. I know what I need to do now. First, save money, do paper work, spend money. Easy!

[Jasongar8]

If you have any other questions please just ask in this forum.