At this rate, I'll be able to enjoy use of my suppressor by the time I'm old and deaf

[Justin]

So, I just called the BATFE to check the status on my can.

After giving my serial number and name, the rather curt woman on the other end of the line said that my can was pending as of October 20th, and that it takes about six months to finish processing the paperwork from the time it goes pending.

So at this rate, I'll be able to use my suppressor sometime around April.

 

[A-FIXER]

waiting is the worst..

 

[CoRoMo]

I thought you would have it by now. One thing I noticed is that they will tell you the same thing up until the day your form is approved. Your paperwork could be getting approved today for all we know, and then would be back at your dealer by mid-next week. I'd wager that the form is approved by the end of this month... however, the data has greatly changed over on NFATracker.com. The "Examiner Time (Days Pending-> Approved)" times are about 50% longer now. That would put the approval out at the end of March.

 

[GoingQuiet]

I had a stack of them come in after christmas at 6-8 months.

I had one come back after 4 weeks.

I had one come back after 4 months.

 

[Bobson]

I was in the Air Force, so I'm well-acquainted with the rate most government agencies accomplish paperwork, but what exactly does the BATFE do with suppressor paperwork that takes so long? Do they just let it sit there for months on end? Is there a background check process on each and every form? Or something else altogether?

 

[CoRoMo]

...what exactly does the BATFE do with suppressor paperwork that takes so long?

"Process" it... like this:

Do they just let it sit there for months on end?

Pretty much, I think that's it.

Is there a background check process on each and every form?

You got it, every single one.

Or something else altogether?

I would imagine that reviewing a trust takes longer, but the track times don't bear that out.

 

[MasterSergeantA]

I am not a fan of the ATF nor am I trying to defend the wait times. But part of the problem is the fingerprint cards and I believe CoRoMo is correct about the trusts being quicker simply because no fingerprints are required. I know of several cases where the Feebs couldn't read them and eventually got around to letting ATF know that...so they could ask the applicant for new ones and start again. Rumour has it (and logic sort of supports it) that if your application has ANY sort of problem, it goes back to another pile like the one above and they get back to it at a later date.

Anyone with more concrete evidence is more than welcome to weigh in.

 

[CoRoMo]

...if your application has ANY sort of problem, it goes back...

Depends on the examiner, I think.

I got a form 4 back once, approved with my stamp. Then looking it over, I wondered what in Earth I must have been smoking when I filled it out. I was surprised that typos, misspellings, and info entered in the wrong boxes didn't make it bounce.

 

[Ian]

Using a trust doesn't make it go any faster - my first trust stamp (SBR manufacture) took 9 months and my second (MG transfer) took 5.5 months. That was with no fingerprints and no background check to do (though by the end of the year they will have begun requiring those things for the people listed in trust documents). The long wait is because they sit in a pile for 5 months before being looked at.

 

[GoingQuiet]

"Process" it... like this:


Pretty much, I think that's it.

You got it, every single one.

I would imagine that reviewing a trust takes longer, but the track times don't bear that out.

ATF does not background check trusts.

 

[TXSWFAN]

Ian, where did you here that fingerprint cards will be required for trusts at years end?

That was with no fingerprints and no background check to do (though by the end of the year they will have begun requiring those things for the people listed in trust documents).

 

[alemonkey]

I feel your pain. I sent in two Form 1's for suppressors a month ago. My last one a year ago took almost exactly 90 days. Now the average is double that.

 

[JVaughn]

I know this isn't a "bash the government" activist post; but is there any possibility that they intentionally make the process take so long to discourage applications and deter those who do apply? Let's face it, they want to outlaw everything they can. While violating the constitution by even having an "application process" which implies that we need "permission" to exercise our rights; why not slow it way down and make it next to impossible to get a permit?

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The wheels of bureaucracy turn v-e-r-y S-L-O-W-L-Y by design. The only consolation I can take from it is that maybe it gives us more time to recognize, react & oppose regulation & legislation that we DON'T approve.

 

[Telekinesis]

This is the only thing keeping me from submitting paperwork for a can right now. I'm not sure if I would be able to deal with dropping $400-600 on a brand new toy and just have it sit at my range/dealer for months on end. It would just make it that much worse that I would be tempted to fondle it every time I go shooting...

I'd also be interested in hearing the source of the info that all members of a trust would be required to submit fingerprints. Technically the trust is the owner of the item and is a completely separate entity from you. Plus, what would stop someone from revising their trust so that there was only one trustee and then adding everyone back after the NFA item had transferred?

 

[GoingQuiet]

This is the only thing keeping me from submitting paperwork for a can right now. I'm not sure if I would be able to deal with dropping $400-600 on a brand new toy and just have it sit at my range/dealer for months on end. It would just make it that much worse that I would be tempted to fondle it every time I go shooting...

I'd also be interested in hearing the source of the info that all members of a trust would be required to submit fingerprints. Technically the trust is the owner of the item and is a completely separate entity from you. Plus, what would stop someone from revising their trust so that there was only one trustee and then adding everyone back after the NFA item had transferred?

Trusts do not need fingerprints. No idea who is making such incorrect statements.

 

[Prince Yamato]

4-6 months. Just bite the bullet and deal. We all have/had to. It stinks, but in the mean time, you can browse online for future nfa purchases.

 

[Telekinesis]

GoingQuiet: that would be Ian in post 9

That was with no fingerprints and no background check to do (though by the end of the year they will have begun requiring those things for the people listed in trust documents).

I've never heard of it either (apart from this thread) but don't think it's possible given that the trust is a separate legal entity like a corporation.

 

[GoingQuiet]

GoingQuiet: that would be Ian in post 9



I've never heard of it either (apart from this thread) but don't think it's possible given that the trust is a separate legal entity like a corporation.

I missed that, but FP cards are not required on transfers to trusts.

 

[Ian]

They aren't required now, but that will be changing. The new regs have already been written, and are going through OMB. This was discussed by the ATF reps at the NFATCA (National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association) meeting in Phoenix in December. ATF was concerned about a couple felons having gotten legal transfers by using trusts, so they are implementing background checks on trustees and removing the CLEO signoff requirement for individual transfers.

 

[plunge]

It will probably be about 18 months from the time i purchased my suppressor to the time i get to shoot it. I did the paperwork in november when i got home from afghanistan, now i find out i'm going back in may...great. I wish there was a fast track of some type.

 

[wally]

ATF was concerned about a couple felons having gotten legal transfers by using trusts

I call BS. When I got my suppressor on a Trust, I still had to fill out the 4473 to complete the transfer. Buying my Draco-C to make an SBR was same as buying any firearm, it didn't become NFA until I "manufactured" it after getting the stamp.

Its just another way to harass law-abiding gun owners trying to exercise our rights!

 

[JG727]

Attended State of The ATF conference at SHOT Show.

Unfortunately, they have limited staff. They report having about 10 people permanently assigned to NFA applications. And they received 100,000+ applications.

There's a hiring freeze in effect, and if they transfered trained examiners, it would be from the examiners that handle appealed NICS checks.

All in all, I learned a lot from the 3 ATF conferences I attended, especially from the one about detecting straw purchases. The presenter if that sure can speak and was funny as hell.

 

[fulltanghalo]

Going back to finish the paperwork on a Sparrow and Multimount after work today, so I feel your pain. I could have bought them both cheaper elsewhere but they have a range where I found both in stock so I can shoot them while waiting, that alone is worth the extra money I paid.

Makes me wish I had gotten into the NFA game back when wait times were 4-6 weeks...

 

[CoRoMo]

I call BS. When I got my suppressor on a Trust, I still had to fill out the 4473 to complete the transfer.

But NICS was not run when you received that transfer. A 4473 by itself will not stop a transaction from going into the hands of a prohibited person.

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5320-8/atf-p-5320-8-chapter-9.pdf
Section 9.12 Are FFLs/SOTs required to initiate a background check of the transferee under the
Brady Law in connection with the transfer of an NFA firearm? No. Although 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)
requires an FFL to complete a National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS) check of
the firearm recipient prior to completing the transfer, subsection 922(t)(3)(B) removes ATF-approved
transfers of NFA firearms from the NICS requirement for individuals.