Buying an NFA firearm
NFA firearms are divided into seven types – Machine guns, silencers, short barreled-shotguns, short-barreled rifles, Any Other Weapons (AOW) and destructive devices. For all practical purposes these can all be considered pretty much the same in the way the transfer process is handled by ATF. These types of weapons are legal in most states (see our legality map) and are easier to require than many people realize. In fact if you can buy a handgun at your local gun store ATF will most likely approve your transfer of an NFA weapon. We have had very few customers denied transfer of an NFA weapon. There tends to be a lot of confusion about how the NFA transfer process works. The following is a brief description of the process, designed to help our potential buyers understand what is required.
First it is helpful to understand an NFA weapon is a registered weapon. These can be owned by individuals, Corps or trusts. The NFA branch of ATF must approve transfer of these types of weapons from one individual or entity to the next prior to transfer of actual physical possession. You can think of an approved transfer document as a title so to speak, and the said weapon to be actually titled to its owner. It is a serious violation for anyone to possess an NFA weapon which is not currently titled to that person or entity and is therefore important that the item remain with its previous owner until the NFA approval of transfer is received.
ATF regulations require that an NFA weapon be transferred to its new owner from a Special Occupational Tax (SOT) dealer in their own state. For this reason, after payment is received for an item purchased, we submit a request for transfer by submitting an ATF Form 3. This Form 3 is submitted to the NFA branch of ATF online and is usually approved within 30 days. We will not be able to send the NFA item to your dealer until this approved Form 3 is received.
When your NFA item is received by your SOT dealer, it will be time to inspect the weapon. If there are any issues we should be made aware of, this is the time. We stand behind our product as it was described with an unconditional 3 day inspection period after your item is received. If needed we will refund the purchase, or repair/replace the item. Problems are fairly uncommon but we want you to know your satisfaction is important to us.
Your local SOT dealer will work with you on submitting a one page (front and back) form called an ATF Form 4. The dealer normally completes the front of the Form 4 with information about the firearm, serial number, etc. as well as his FFL numbers and info. On the front page your name or trust name will be listed as the transferee of the item. You will normally complete the back of the Form 4 and will attach a passport size physical photo of yourself. Fingerprints are also currently required. The CLEO sign off is no longer required, only notification. There is a 3rd copy of the Form 4, with some info redacted, that is sent to your CLEO.
PLEASE VERIFY THE INFORMATION ON THE FORM 4, INCLUDING DEALER ENTERED INFO, BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO ATF.
After your Form 4 is ready to send, it should be sent in duplicate to NFA branch along with a one-time 200 dollar tax payment. The NFA branch will do a background check and verify the document sent is correct prior to approval. You will be able to check on your transfer via phone, but will need the serial number for the item in order to check. The process times for items going to individuals, trusts and corps vary based on ATF work load, but usually vary anywhere from 2-12 months. When the item is approved NFA will send the approval to your local dealer. At that time it will be legal for you to possess and enjoy your new NFA firearm!