NFA Gun Trust Lawyer Blog

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.

In Missouri, you have previously needed to be an FFL to purchase Title II firearms from a Class 3 dealer. This may change soon as a new bill which is proposed to be effective on 8/28/11 would remove the FFL restriction. This means, you could use a Gun Trust to purchase NFA firearms. To read the bill follow this link.

One of the basic foundations of a Trust or Gun Trust is that there must be a named beneficiary that exists at the time you create your trust. If there is not a named beneficiary that exists at the time the trust is created, the trust is invalid, and if the trust owns NFA firearms this could create large problems for those who are in possession of them. They are essentially in possession of an NFA firearm without a proper transfer. This is true, as many people are finding out, even if the ATF has approved the transfer to the trust on a Form 4 or Form 1.

Often people do not know whom to list as a beneficiary in their trust. While a normal trust or revocable trust does not deal with transfers to children or other prohibited persons correctly a properly drafted NFA Trust should look at where the items are, where they are going, the legality in each location, the proper method for completing the transfer, the eligibility of the beneficiary to posses the firearms (at the time they are to be transferred and not simply at the time the trust was created) as well as whether the individual is mature and responsible enough to have a machine gun or a regular firearm for that matter.

One must also evaluate the successor trustee to determine if they are eligible to complete the transfer or be in possession (under dominion and control) of a firearm. Many traditional trusts and other so called Gun Trusts do not deal with these issues properly. Firearms Trusts or Gun Trusts from the Gun Trust Lawyer® are designed from the ground up to deal with firearms and related activities.

If you do not have children, a spouse, or others that you want to leave the firearms to, or they happen to predecease you, a charity can be named as the beneficiary. Many of our clients have chosen to name one of the NRA foundations, the Second Amendment Foundation, the NFATCA, or one of the other gun rights organizations as a beneficiary.

Who ever you name, you just need to make sure they are alive or in existence at the time the trust is created. You cannot name future unborn children unless they are named in conjunction with a living person or entity.

For information on the NFA options see theNRA Planned Giving Guide

While it has been legal to purchase a silencer or suppressor for a firearm in Washington State, it has been illegal to use them.  That may change soon as a bill has passed the house and senate that allows for the use of a silencer if it is legally owned under the NFA.

While it is reported that the governor will probably not sign it, the bill is expected to become law by the failure to veto it within the alloted time under state law.

This will be good news for those who already own silencers in the State of Washington.  We will update you once it becomes legal to use them.  For more information on Title II firearms in the State of Washington contact a Gun Trust Lawyer®

We are beginning to gather a list of Ranges which allow the use of NFA Firearms, If you are a range or know of one who does, please let us know and we will add them to our list.

Please visit our NFA Ranges page for the list

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.

If you are purchasing a Firearm that was previously manufactured under a Form 1 it may contain the engraving of the previous owner. Since this item was previously manufactured, you will be using an ATF Form 4 and not an ATF Form 1 to transfer this item and as such it will require no engraving on your part.

Check out the new 300 AAC Blackout from Advanced Armament Corp.

Introducing the Advanced Armament Corp. 300 AAC BLACKOUT (300BLK). This system was developed to launch 30 caliber projectiles from the AR platform without a reduction in magazine capacity and compatible with the standard bolt.

Full power 123 grain ammunition matches the ballistics of the 7.62x39mm AK, has 37% more energy than 5.56mm M855, and 9% more than 6.8 SPC TAP 110. In fact, from a 9 inch barrel, the 300BLK has more muzzle energy than 5.56mm M855 from a 16 inch barrel. When 300 BLK is used in a 16 inch barrel, it has 23% more energy than 5.56mm M855 from a 16 inch barrel - with much higher-mass projectiles for a more dramatic effect on the target. Or choose subsonic cartridges for optimal use with a sound suppressor - 220 grain Sierra OTM (open-tip match) bullets vastly outperforms a 9mm MP5-SD in penetration and long range accuracy.

Due to the high efficiency of the cartridge, less powder is used than 5.56mm, which results in a rifle that is a comfortable to shoot - even with a short barrel.

Reloading dies available from Forster products, Reamers and headspace guages available from Pacific Tool and Gauge.

How many of you have taken your silencer out to show to someone. Did you know that even if it is not attached to a gun, a silencer is defined by federal law as a firearm. Many states also define it as a dangerous weapon like a taser or a knife.

In Florida and many states that have concealed weapons permits, it is illegal to show someone a firearm or weapon under certain circumstances. With this in mind, you should be careful to comply with your states concealed weapons laws when showing people your silencer. Many people do not realize they are legal and because of this it is possible that you could be reported for having one and charged with a crime.

While we know of know one who has actually been charged with this offense and feel that the likelihood is small, it does not make the act legal and you should be cautious.

A Washington state gun store prepared an invalid trust for their customer and the ATF approved three Form 4 transfers.

Not only is the preparation of a trust by a non-lawyer the unauthorized practice of law, but it also could put you at risk of an invalid transfer, possession, and use charge by the ATF which could subject you to forfeiture of your firearms, a $250,000 penalty, and up to 10 years in jail.

This particular gun store trust did not have a trustee, a successor trustee or a beneficiary and was missing required schedules that were required for validity by the way the trust was drafted.

Remember that even if the ATF approves an invalid trust, it does not make the transfer legal. ATF is approving a transfer to a non-existent entity, which you cannot comply with, and when you take possession it becomes illegal. The good news is many trusts can be updated to be valid and keep the original name so that there is a valid trust behind the possession of the firearms. If you would like to have your trust reviewed, contact a Gun Trust Lawyer®.

We are often asked for a list of Class III dealers. There is a website that lists Class III dealers in many states. GunTrustLawyer.com is a sponsor of the site as we have found it to be a useful site to our clients.

Want to ask a question about Title II firearms or the NFA and NFA trusts, I will be the guest of Tom Gresham on Gun Talk tomorrow (June 6th) at 3 PM EST. Call 1-866-825-5486 to ask questions or just email us. If you do not get Gun Talk in your area, you can listen to one of the many live streams or download it on iTunes

You can also listen to a Gun Talk Sunday's from 7-10PM on the re broadcast on Sirius Channel 108 and XM Channel 139