NFA Gun Trust Lawyer Blog

ATF hires 9 new examiners. Last week, the NFATCA posted an article that the DOJ lifted the hiring ban for the BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and the ATF hired 9 new examiners.

This should significantly speed up the approval process for the purchase or manufacture of firearms restricted by the National Firearms Act. The new staff at the ATF who examine the requests for transfer ( ATF Form 4) and the requests to manufacture (ATF Form 1) should be around 30 which is almost triple the number just a few months ago when expected approval times were in excess of 6 months. We do not know if this will bring times down to 2-3 months but it seems reasonable.

Think the ATF or BATFE ignores possession and transfer of firearms, think again. Today the ATF announced that it arrested and charged 15 individuals who face between 10 and 70 years for many firearms related crimes including the unlawful manufacture of firearms and possession of an unregistered firearm.

11 of the 15 were arrested on Wednesday during a round-up. Remember that an improper transfer or possession of a NFA firearm or Title II firearm could result in severe penalties and criminal charges. These include up to 10 years in jail, a 250,000 penalty, and loss of your firearms.

Using a Professionally designed Gun Trust instead of a revocable trust or free trust that a dealer gives you can help protect you and your family from unfortunately events like this. Our Gun Trusts have been designed by Gun Trust Lawyers® to help with the ownership, possession, transfer, and use of Title II firearms.

One of the most common violations of the NFA deals with the purchase of the firearms. Many individuals do not understand the importance of having the Gun Trust make the purchase of any NFA firearms and not purchasing them individually. When permission is given for the transfer from the dealer to the trust, the purchase transaction should mirror the approval.

If you purchase a Silencer or other Title II firearms as an individual and then transfer it to a trust, there are 2 unapproved transfers: 1) the transfer from the dealer to you; and 2) the transfer from you to the trust. Neither of these has been approved and both are time bombs waiting to cause you and your family harm. Either of these makes your Title II firearm illegal and any future possession or transfer of such item even if approved by the ATF or BATFE does not make the firearm legal.

This is one of the many issues a properly drafted gun trust can help you with. We believe we have the most advanced and sophisticated gun trust on the market. We created the first true gun trust almost 5 years ago. Recently we have begun seeing more attempts to create gun trusts. Most are not more than traditional revocable trust with a few lines about firearms.

To be considered a Gun Trust, the trust should be written from the ground up to deal with firearms only firearms. A Gun Trust should be designed to deal with all of your firearms not just Title II firearms so that you get the same protections for all of your guns. If you are looking for a gun trust that will not only allow you to purchase Title II firearms with confidence but give you and your family the guidance and resources necessary to use and transfer the firearms.

If you have any questions about Gun Trusts, Contact Us to discuss your circumstances and objectives. We have a range of gun trusts designed to suit various needs.

Recently one of our Gun Trust Lawyer® Clients asked us:

What are the shipping requirements for items in my NFA trust for Trustees in different states? The items are legal in both states and the personnel involved can legally possess the items. I also understand the commercial carrier and USPS shipping restrictions (at least think I do). As there is no transfer of ownership, must the items be transported with a FFL?

Our Trust allows one Trustee to ship to another Co-Trustee who is located in a different state a NFA Firearm that is an asset of the Gun Trust with the advanced approval from the ATF by using an ATF Form 5320.20. There is no requirement to use a FFL as the owner is not changing. The Gun Trust will be the owner of the firearm prior to and after the shipment.

There have been many question on converting a pistol to a rifle and back to a pistol. The ATF recently issued a ruling regarding this to help clarify what is permitted and what is not. If you would like to read the full ruling it can be found here. ATF Ruling 2011-4.pdf

In summary the ATF made the following findings.

Held, a firearm, as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3), is made when un-assembled parts are placed in close proximity in such a way that they:

(a) Serve no useful purpose other than to make a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length (e.g., a receiver, an attachable shoulder stock, and barrel of less than 16 inches in length); or
(b) Convert a complete weapon into such an NFA firearm, including - (1) A pistol and attachable shoulder stock; and (2) A rifle with a barrel of 16 inches or more in length, and an attachable barrel of less than 16 inches in length.

Such weapons must be registered and are subject to all requirements of the NFA.

Held further, a firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4), is not made when parts in a kit that were originally designed to be configured as both a pistol and a rifle are assembled or re-assembled in a configuration not regulated under the NFA (e.g., as a pistol, or a rifle with a barrel of 16 inches or more in length).

Held further, a firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4), is not made when a pistol is attached to a part or parts designed to convert the pistol into a rifle with a barrel of 16 inches or more in length, and the parts are later un-assembled in a configuration not regulated under the NFA (e.g., as a pistol).

Held further, a firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4), is made when a handgun or other weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, is assembled or produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle. Such weapons must be registered and are subject to all requirements of the NFA.

We received a copy of the following response dated August 30, 2010 from a reader of the blog that felt that this may be useful to others. If you want to download a copy of the letter it has been provided in a PDF format for your reference ATF Response - AFG on AR Pistol.pdf

The letter states:

This refers to your recent correspondence to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding the manufacture of a firearm. Specifically, you asked about the lawfulness of manufacturing an AR-15 type pistol for your personal use. Your letter was forwarded to ATF's Firearms Technology Branch (FTB), Martinsburg, West Virginia, for reply.

As background, the amended Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), defines the term "firearm" to include ... any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action a/an explosive ... [and} ... the ... fame or receiver any such weapon....

With respect to the definitions of "handgun" and "pistol" under Federal statutes and regulations, you may be aware that the GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(29), defines "handgun" to mean, in part, ... a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use a single hand .... Additionally, 27 CFR § 478.11, a regulation implementing the GCA, defines "pistol" as... a weapon originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or more barrels when held in one hand, and having (a) a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and (b) a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand and at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s).

Please note also that the GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(7), defines "rifle" to mean, in part, ... a weapon designed or redesigned, made. or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder .... Finally, the National Firearms Act (NFA), defines the term "firearm" to include ... a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length ... (and) ... a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches of a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length .... (See 26 U.S.C. §§ 5845(a)(3) and (4))

For your information, per provisions of the GCA, an unlicensed individual may make a "firearm" as defined in the GCA for his own personal use, but not for sale or distribution. Individuals manufacturing a firearm for their own personal use are not required to submit a sample to ATF for approval. However, if the design of the firearm were questionable, it would be prudent for such individuals to seek the advice of ATF prior to manufacture.

Also, based on the GCA, manufacturers' marks of identification are not required on firearms that are produced by individuals for personal use. Nevertheless, ATF recommends the placing of marks of identification on these weapons at the time of manufacture. This procedure would aid law enforcement authorities in identifying the firearm should it become lost or stolen.

With respect to barreling and the assembly of pistols, if individuals utilize a receiver that has never been barreled as a rifle action, they may lawfully assemble a pistol. Such an assembled pistol would constitute a "firearm" as defined in the GCA. If an individual utilizes a receiver that has already been barreled as a rifle action in the assembly of a pistol, such an assembled pistol would constitute a "weapon made from a rifle" as defined in the NFA.

Individuals desiring to manufacture a firearm subject to NFA provisions (machine guns excepted) must first submit and secure approval of an ATF Form 1, Application to Make and Register a Firearm, and pay the applicable $200 making tax.

In your letter, you state that you recently purchased an AR -15 type "stripped" lower receiver with the intention of building it into a pistol; it was shipped as a bare receiver and never built into a rifle. Your specific questions, paraphrased and repeated below, are followed by FTB' s answers.

Question # 1: Am I able to legally construct this lower receiver into an AR-15 type pistol?
A: Yes, since you are utilizing a receiver that has never been barreled as a rifle action, you may lawfully assemble a pistol. However, we advise you to confirm that assembly of such a pistol does not violate any State laws or local ordinances where you reside.

Q #2: Would I be required to register it as an NFA firearm with a tax stamp?
A: No.

Q #3: Do AR-15 type pistols have a restriction on barrel length?
A: No.

Q.#4: Would a 10-1/2 inch or 11-1/2 inch length barrel be allowed?
A: Yes.

Q #5: Can I use standard AR-15 type hand guards on the pistol?
A: Yes.

THe BATFE defines a fiscal year as October 1 - September 30 of the following year. The NSSF has compiled a chart showing the number of silencers sold in the past few years. Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of silencers transferred in most states. In 2008 there were slightly more than 15,000 silencers and by the end of fiscal year 2010 there were more than 22,000 silencers transferred.

Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols
ATF has issued a new Ruling regarding Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols

ATF Rule 2011-4

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has received requests from individuals to classify pistols that are reconfigured into rifles, for personal use, through the addition of barrels, stocks, and other parts and then returned to a pistol configuration by removal of those components. Specifically, ATF has been asked to determine whether such a pistol, once returned to a pistol configuration from a rifle, becomes a "weapon made from a rifle" as defined under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

After a bunch of analysis, the ATF found the following

Held, a firearm, as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3), is made when un-assembled parts are placed in close proximity in such a way that they:

(a) Serve no useful purpose other than to make a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length (e.g., a receiver, an attachable shoulder stock, and barrel of less than 16 inches in length); or
(b) Convert a complete weapon into such an NFA firearm, including -

1. A pistol and attachable shoulder stock; and


2. A rifle with a barrel of 16 inches or more in length, and an attachable barrel of less than 16 inches in length.

Continue reading "ATF Ruling:Rifles Configured From Pistols, and Offers Q&A's Related to Multiple Long Gun Reporting" »

There are several type of Class 3 items that are restricted by the National Firearms Act.

Each state can impose additional restrictions on the sale, purchase, and transfer of class 3 firearms in addition to the compliance that is required with the national Firearms Act.

In Missouri you can own the following items that are regulated the the National Firearms Act

Machine Guns
Short Barreled Shotguns (SBS)
Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)
Any Other Weapon (AOW)
Silencers

In Missouri you cannot own the following NFA restricted items.

Destructive Devices (DD)

Follow this link to find out more about Missouri and NFA restrictions on Class 3 Firearms

<strong>NOTE:</strong> Starting 8/28/2011 you will be able to use a NFA trust to purchase NFA firearms in Missouri without the need of a C & R, FFL, or use of a Corporation or LLC.

The ATF National Firearms Act (NFA) Branch is pleased to announce that as of July 2011, ATF Forms 1, 2, 10 and ATF Form 5320.20 will be assigned to a legal instruments examiner for processing according to the State of the applicant's address. The NFA Branch also will begin assigning ATF Forms 3, ATF Form 4 and 9 applications to examiners by the State of the transferor's address. Applications already pending at the time of the change will continue to be processed by the examiner to whom they were previously assigned. Historically, applications in the NFA Branch have been assigned to legal instruments examiners alphabetically based on the name of the transferor or applicant. A chart showing the new assignment distribution is below.

The ATF expects this change in the assignment of applications to better enable NFA examiners to develop State law expertise and more knowledgeably and effectively respond to our customers during an era of unprecedented and ever increasing application volume. Please contact the NFA Branch at 304-616-4500 with any questions about this change.

NFA Examiner Assignment Distribution (effective July 2011)

• Nicole Dudash -- IL, IN, OH, PA
• Chris Farris -- AK, CT, MA, ME, MI, NH, RI, VT
• Ann Feltner -- AZ, CA, NM, NV
• Jason Frushour -- CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WI, WY
• Sara Jones -- LA, TX
• Albert Lamberger -- AL, FL, TN
• Dana Pickles -- DE, KY, MD, NC, NJ, NY, VA, WV
• Suzanne Santamaria -- GA, SC
• William Shipman -- AR, HI, IA, KS, MN, MO, MS, NE, OK
• Sandra Snook --ID, OR, WA

Applications from the District Of Columbia and US Territories Will be Assigned to the Supervisory Legal Instruments Examiner

When you are purchasing a silencer, SBR, SBS, Machine Gun, AOW, or DD from an out of state resident there are two ways of accomplishing the transfer.

The first and slower way is to do a Form 4 transfer to a local Class 3 SOT dealer. Once this is approved a tax free transfer can be made from that dealer to one in the purchaser's state and then a second Form 4 transfer can be done from the buyer's dealer to the buyer. This will involved 2 transfer fees and generally each dealer will charge a fee for the paperwork and transfer.

The second method involves transferring it directly on a Form 4 to the buyers Class 3 dealer who is located in the same state as the buyer. Once this is approved a second Form 4 transfer can take place from the dealer to the buyer. This will involve 2 transfer fees and fees from the single dealer. This method should be quicker since the dealer to dealer transfer is eliminated.

The US Department of Justice today announced that

A man in Berlin, Connecticut, was sentenced to 101 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing machine guns, a sawed-off shotgun, silencers, grenades and improvised explosive devices or IEDs.

These items are controlled by the National Firearms Act and you must purchase them using a Form 4 or manufacture them with a Form 1 and pay the tax. If you are in possession of them, are using them, or sell them without complying with the requirements you can face prison sentences and fines.

A NFA Firearms Trust can help you protect yourself and your family from improper possession and other issues such as constructive possession. Contact a Gun Trust Lawyer® for more information on What a Gun Trust is and how you may benefit from one.

The ATF Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns was published today.

Many of you have been following the supposed ban on imported Shotguns like the Saiga that was announced by the ATF during the Shot Show in Las Vegas last week. Instead ATF announced a study which may some a little extra time to purchase these firearms before a ban goes into place and states that

A change in ATF's position on practical shooting has potential implications for rifle and handgun classifications as well. Therefore, the working group believes that a more thorough and complete assessment is necessary before ATF can consider practical shooting as a generally recognized sporting purpose.

The items that ATF believes are not suitable for a sporting purpose are:

(1) Folding, telescoping, or collapsible stocks;
(2) bayonet lugs;
(3) flash suppressors;
(4) magazines over 5 rounds, or a drum magazine;
(5) grenade-launcher mounts;
(6) integrated rail systems (other than on top of the receiver or barrel);
(7) light enhancing devices;
(8) excessive weight (greater than 10 pounds for 12 gauge or smaller);
(9) excessive bulk (greater than 3 inches in width and/or greater than 4 inches in depth); (10) forward pistol grips or other protruding parts designed or used for gripping the shotgun with the shooter's extended hand.

Our determinations will in no way preclude the importation of true sporting shotguns. While it will certainly prevent the importation of certain shotguns, we believe that those shotguns containing the enumerated features cannot be fairly characterized as "sporting" shotguns under the statute. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the working group that shotguns with any of the characteristics or features listed above not be authorized for importation.

The report has some interesting charts and pictures. I noticed that in the Shotgun Stock Style Comparison, they show many firearms and name them, but the one they do not name is not a stock Saiga but has been modified as the trigger has been moved forward and a separate pistol grip has been added. It looks like the rumored ban on the Saiga's will happen so if you want one, you time may be limited.

What is unknown at this time is what or how ATF will treat those items that are already in the US. Since most shot guns have a bore size greater than 1/2 an inch we could see some devices classified as destructive devices. The ATF is asking for comments and I have included their information below. Please review the study and respond.

Update: Joshua Prince a Pennsylvania Gun Trust Lawyer® has also written a summary of the report that can be found here

Last week Taurus introduced the Raging Judge a 28 Gauge Revolver. There are conflicting reports as to if this item will be restricted under the NFA by the ATF and whether if restricted, Taurus will make the firearm available. Many are reporting that because the bore size is around a 55 caliber that it might be restricted as a Destructive Device or a SBS. Recently the ATF came out with a new classification of firearm called a smooth bore pistol grip firearm. I think if it ends up being restricted that the ATF will restrict it as an AOW because it is less than 26" and seems to fit the same category as the Serbu Super Shorty.

Thanks to the Alaska Machine Gun Association for letting us know about this. The Municipality of Anchorage has just imposed at $150 fee, effective 1 Jan 11, to process BATFE forms for CLEO signature.

Many might think that this is a Tax on a Tax and would violate Alaska's preemption statute.

While CLEO sign off is often the initial reason individuals begin to look at trusts, We have found that the other advantages of a NFA trust are the overriding reason most end up using a NFA Firearms trust over a revocable trust.

If you want more information on a NFA trust in Alaska or any state contact an Alaska Gun Trust Lawyer®

AWC, a silencer manufacture had a nice map of where currently legal to own.

Silencers are legal for civilian ownership in the following states Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri (C&R Required), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Civilian ownership is prohibited in the District of Columbia and the following states: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.