Process to get a Silencer, SBR, or Full Auto Weapon

There are two different paths in the procurement of an NFA Tax stamp. One method is the individual path  & the other is the gun trust path. Here I will discuss why someone may want a tax stamp, the different means to get the tax stamp, & what to do after you have the tax stamp.

First I will address why someone may want to get a NFA Tax stamp. There are many weapons & weapon accessories that are only available through the NFA process. These regulations came into play in 1934 to combat prohibition & organized crime.

What are they & why do I want them?

A) Suppressors - A muffling device that improves accuracy, assists in training, reduces recoil, & reduces   percussion (the audible pressure that is heard/felt when someone shoots next to you).

B) Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) - SBR's are easily concealed & maneuverability is improved. It's barrel is less than 16" & total length is less than 26".

C) Short Barreled Shotgun (SBS) - SBS's are easily concealed & maneuverability is improved. It's barrel is less than 18" & total length is less than 26".

D) Destructive Devices (Grenades, bombs, missiles, Poison Gas) - One hell of a good time!

E) Machine Guns (Manufactured before 1986) - Full auto guns are fore personal recreation on gun ranges & tactical training for the zombie apocalypse.


 Individual Tax Stamp

To get a tax stamp on your own is fairly simple. First you have to figure out which ATF form you will need several things.

1) ATF Form 1 or 4 (2X)

Form 4 allows you to purchase NFA weapons such as suppressors.
Form 1 allows you to modify an existing weapon into one classified as an NFA weapon. For example, trimming the barrel of a rifle from 16" to 10".

This can either printed from the ATF website or be filled out by the Class 3 dealer who's selling the weapon. It needs to be filled out in duplicate & correctly.

2) Finger Print cards (2X) - These can be retrieved from the class 3 dealer or from the local police station.

3) Recent Passport photos (2X) - These will be attached to block 16 of the ATF Forms.

4) $200 check or money order - This needs to be made out to The Bureau of the ATF & needs to have the serial number of the weapon being purchased. If a check is used it will be known when its cashed.

5) Signature from local CLEO -

The Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) needs to sign on the ATF forms. This is the most difficult part because the local cleo may not be in favor of these weapons in civilians hands. If the cleo does not sign then a criminal prosecutor or criminal judge may sign. They as well are in their right to refuse the signature.

6)ATF Form 5330.20 - Shows proof of citizenship. Only U.S. Citizens may purchase NFA items.

After all these items have been attained they are mailed to the ATF at:

National Firearms Act Branch
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
P.O. Box 530298
Atlanta, GA 30353-0298


NFA Gun Trust


There are two different types of gun trusts, there's revokable living trust & non-revokable living trust. A revokable living trust just means that it can be changed multiple times. Non-revokable living trusts cannot be changed which makes them bad for purchasing NFA items. Both trusts involve the same procedure.

The benefits of a trust are that fingerprint cards, a cleo signature, passport photos, & the form 5330.20 are not needed. Also, anyone in the trust can freely use the weapons. Under the individual path, friends/family could only use the weapon in your presence.  All that is needed for this path is:

 1) ATF Form 1 or 4 (2X)

Form 4 allows you to purchase NFA weapons such as suppressors.
Form 1 allows you to modify an existing weapon into one classified as an NFA weapon. For example, trimming the barrel of a rifle from 16" to 10".

This can either printed from the ATF website or be filled out by the Class 3 dealer who's selling the weapon. It needs to be filled out in duplicate & correctly.

2) Living Trust - A copy of the original trust must be submitted to the ATF.

3) $200 check or money order - This needs to be made out to The Bureau of the ATF & needs to have the serial number of the weapon being purchased. If a check is used it will be known when its cashed.

Even though this path is easier, it will be more expensive & require more work initially:

A) Legal council -
It is vital that a lawyer familiar with NFA laws draw up the trust. Using a cookie cutter program to draw up a trust will leave a lot of gaps which can come back with felony possession charges. The trust may run $200-$300 but it will be worth it, especially because it will come with legal council. Depending on how many items the trust will be in possession of or the transfers that may occur, extra steps may be needed.

B) Terminology & Responsibilities -
The owner is called the grantor & the trustees work on behalf & for the good of the grantor. All trusts need one grantor (you), one trustee (close & extremely trustworthy associate), & a beneficiary. The trustee is who runs the show (on paper). The trustee is supposed to be the one who makes the purchases, writes the checks, does the taxes on the trust, & manages the trust's bank account. Many who decide to do a trust do not do all these things but it is highly recommended. It is better to have at least two trustees in case there is a falling out with the first one.


I sent my stuff in, now what?


Now comes the great wait, buy some guns, google the weapons that were purchased, & just sit there with a pouty face. The ATF does a massive background check & they are understaffed. Wait times average between 6-8 months. Once the NFA weapons are acquired then make sure that a copy of the tax stamp is carried in possession as well.

Every NFA weapon or devices requires a tax stamp. For example, if the goal was to put a Glock into the CAA Roni tactical rifle conversion & add a suppressor; two separate tax stamps would be needed. One would allow the Glock to be converted into a SBR & the other stamp would allow for the suppressor.

When making a SBR or SBS, the name of the individual or the trust must be engraved into the weapon


ATF FAQ's
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/national-firearms-act-firearms.html

ATF Form 4 (Application for a Tax Paid Transfer & Registration of a firearm)
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-4.pdf

ATF Form 1 (Application to Make & Register a Firearm)
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-1.pdf
ATF Form 5330.20 (Certification of Compliance with 18 U.S.C 922(g)(5)(b))
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-20.pdf

Silencerco Suppressors
http://www.silencerco.com/

Texas Law Shield (NFA Lawyers)
https://tlsnfa.com/