Articles Posted in North Carolina – Gun Trust Lawyer

North Carolina NFA Trust and Gun Trust Update:

In Dec 2014, a Gun Trust transfer of a Machine Gun was rejected by the ATF when it stated “In Accordance with NC General Statute 14-409. Please remember that your Form 4 must state a reason other than for scientific and/or experimentation or “in accordance with 14-409” to comply with The January 11, 2013 email from Dana Pickles. We are in the process of verifying this and will update this blog if anything changes.

A recent email from Dana Pickles at the US Dept. Of Justice Bureau of ATF NFA Branch stated the following changes for North Carolina

North Carolina will become the next state to legalize hunting with a suppressor. As of 10/1/2013, a suppressor will be legal to use on firearms while hunting. The NC Wildlife Resource Commission made the changes which are not found in the NC statutes and also not found in the in the NC Hunting Regulations which were printed before the legislation passed. Here is a link to the legislation as well as the press release. If you plan on hunting in NC after October 1, 2013, I would suggest keeping a copy of the legislation and press release with you as many police officers may not know that it will be legal to hunt with a suppressor after 10/1/2013.

Every time a state legalizes hunting with a suppressor, the sales of suppressors in that state dramatically increase which creates a longer approval wait time. Given that current approval times in most states is more than 6 months. it would be advisable to purchase your silencer now if you have any plans on hunting with a silencer in 2014. Remember that if you use a Gun Trust, you do not have to obtain your local sheriff’s permission to purchase a silencer as well as creating the flexibility to have multiple authorized users. There are many things that are different with Title II firearms (like suppressors) and it would be a good idea to request our free report on What is a Gun Trust and Why you might need one.

As more lawyers begin to dabble with Gun Trusts we are seeing many who do not understand firearms and their unique nature which can often involve criminal penalties related to the improper transfer, possession, and use related to firearms or ammunition.

While it is fine to transfer a pair or sox, coins, most personal property to your trust without doing anything other than assigning it, the transfer of restricted items like firearms or ammunition is a different matter. If you can sell a gun to an individual in your state without going through a dealer you should be able to transfer a firearm to your trust without going through dealer. This is the case in most states.

In a few states like California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania where all personal transfers of some or all firearms must go through a background check, there may be no exception for transferring a firearm to a trust even if it is your own trust. Sure an argument could be made that there is no transfer and as such you should not have to go through a dealer, but why would one take the risk.

Thumbnail image for 50calsilencer.jpgWhile in some states, it is illegal to hunt with a Silencer, in the following states it is legal to hunt with a suppressor (often referred to as a “silencer”).

In states where hunting with suppressors have been legalized, we have seen substantial increases in the sales of suppressors and the wait times for approval from the ATF have also increased. Many states that have legalized suppressors still have CLEOs who refuse to sign for individuals to purchase them. An NFA Gun Trust or a more flexible Gun trust can not only avoid the CLEO signature requirement in most states, but can also provide many benefits to firearms owners and their families. To learn about the benefits, please fill out the contact us form at the top of this page and request information on what a gun trust is and how they may benefit you.

Remember these laws change frequently, so please verify this with your state prior to hunting with a suppressor.

We have received numerous calls and emails regarding the December 2010 change in the laws in NC based on the poorly worded changes to NC:

NCGS Section 288.8 (b)(5) allows MG ownership for:

Persons who lawfully possess or own a weapon as defined in subsection (c) of this section in compliance with 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, §§ 5801‑5871. Nothing in this subdivision shall limit the discretion of the sheriff in executing the paperwork required by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for such person to obtain the weapon.

We were recently contacted by someone who wanted to move their NFA firearms to NC from another state. After filling out the Form 20, they received a rejection notice stating that the form needed to state the following in block 5 to be in compliance with NC state requirements.

Block 5 should contain “In accordance with NC general statute 14-288.8 & 14-409”

So if you are planning on traveling to NC or moving there, it appears that you will need this language before the ATF will approve the permission to move or travel.

Recently we have seen the ATF deny ATF form 20’s unless you include “In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 14-288.8” in Block 5 – The Reason for Transportation of the Firearms – (Example Permanent change of Address)

While this should not apply to silencers, it will not hurt to include the additional language on all transfers of NFA firearms to the state of North Carolina

If you are moving or traveling to North Carolina you might include something like the following language in Block 5:

Pistol_Permit_Application.jpgSome of our clients in North Carolina regularly ask about pistol permits and trusts. In response to this, we asked a North Carolina Gun Trust Lawyer ® to explain how the North Carolina Pistol Permit (Click for a Sample Permit) works and what is prohibited. Here is his response:

North Carolina G.S. Section 14-402 requires that any person obtaining a pistol by purchase or other transfer must first get a permit from the sheriff in his county of residence. The sheriff conducts a criminal background check to make sure the receipt of the pistol would not violate state or federal law. Trustees of NFA trusts are not exempt from this requirement, so for any handguns transferred to or purchased by a gun trust a permit must first be obtained. Section 14-403 states that a permit shall be issued to “any person, firm or corporation,” which is broad enough to cover trustees. Thus, if the trustee passes the background check, there shouldn’t be a problem in getting the permit.

§ 14‑402. Sale of certain weapons without permit forbidden. (a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation in this State to sell, give away, or transfer, or to purchase or receive, at any place within this State from any other place within or without the State any pistol unless: (i) a license or permit is first obtained under this Article by the purchaser or receiver from the sheriff of the county in which the purchaser or receiver resides; or (ii) a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit is held under Article 54B of this Chapter by the purchaser or receiver who must be a resident of the State at the time of the purchase.

The NFATCA had an article about a revision to NC Law that will put to rest the controversy over the use of Trusts and also apparently drop the Machine Gun Permit for residents of the state of North Carolina North Carolina HB650 was signed into law on June 23rd, 2011 and will become effective on December 1st 2011

H650 [Ratified] Page 5

SECTION 8. G.S. 14-288.8(b) reads as rewritten:

North Carolina NFA Class 3 firearms
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 North Carolina you can own the following items that are regulated the the National Firearms Act

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