CoRoMo
Member
…if you'll just follow the law. Hopefully this thread will serve to prevent any confusion and especially congestion of threads asking, "is it legal?".
Mind your state laws of course because they can vary greatly. I don't know how up-to-date this map still is, but here is a map of NFA restrictions at the respective state levels. If any of you know of a better map, chart, or list, please post it here. But in regards to federal laws & NFA items, also called title II items, such as suppressors/silencers, short barreled shotguns/sawed off shotguns/SBS, short barreled rifles/SBR, full-auto machineguns, destructive devices, and the AOW category, you can own whatever you can afford to buy or legally make on your own.
Let’s first take a look at BATFE Form 1:
Application to Make and Register a Firearm
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-1.pdf
The purpose of Form 1 is to acquire ATF approval when making a title II item. If you plan to cut the barrel down on that shotgun or rifle, if you plan to mate a short barreled (<16”) upper to a lower receiver, drop a registered auto sear in your rifle, or if you would like to manufacture your own suppressor/silencer, you will need to submit Form 1 for approval and purchase the $200 tax stamp. Form 1 approval allows you to possess that one item. You would need to submit another Form 1, and purchase another $200 tax stamp for your next item build. Here is a link to some instructions on the process. http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/files/files/form-1-instructions.pdf
Next in line is BATFE Form 4:
Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-4.pdf
Form 4 is a little more understandable. You’ll submit Form 4 when you buy or otherwise receive the transfer of a complete NFA item. The corresponding NFA transfer tax is also required when you submit Form 4 for each and every title II item that you buy. Items in the AOW category require a $5 transfer tax, while other NFA items require $200 in tax for the transfer. Firearms dealers who deal in title II products are referred to as Class III Dealers.
Finally, when it comes to interstate travel and your legally owned NFA item, you have to consider BATFE Form 5320.20:
Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-20.pdf
Note the title of this form as it only pertains to ‘certain’ NFA items. Submitting form 5320.20 is not required for items such as sound suppressors, but approval is required for transportation of items like SBR and machineguns. The good news is that you do not have to send any money in with this form. Once the ATF approves your form, you can travel to and from your interstate destination with your NFA item.
Knowing each state's law is critical when transporting restricted items.Knowing your state's law is essential when considering a build or to purchase any NFA restricted item.
A good read for the NFA newbie can be found on Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firearms_Act
Knowledgeable members: if you can add to, or correct any of the information that I've posted here, please do so!
Mind your state laws of course because they can vary greatly. I don't know how up-to-date this map still is, but here is a map of NFA restrictions at the respective state levels. If any of you know of a better map, chart, or list, please post it here. But in regards to federal laws & NFA items, also called title II items, such as suppressors/silencers, short barreled shotguns/sawed off shotguns/SBS, short barreled rifles/SBR, full-auto machineguns, destructive devices, and the AOW category, you can own whatever you can afford to buy or legally make on your own.
Let’s first take a look at BATFE Form 1:
Application to Make and Register a Firearm
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-1.pdf
The purpose of Form 1 is to acquire ATF approval when making a title II item. If you plan to cut the barrel down on that shotgun or rifle, if you plan to mate a short barreled (<16”) upper to a lower receiver, drop a registered auto sear in your rifle, or if you would like to manufacture your own suppressor/silencer, you will need to submit Form 1 for approval and purchase the $200 tax stamp. Form 1 approval allows you to possess that one item. You would need to submit another Form 1, and purchase another $200 tax stamp for your next item build. Here is a link to some instructions on the process. http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/files/files/form-1-instructions.pdf
Next in line is BATFE Form 4:
Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-4.pdf
Form 4 is a little more understandable. You’ll submit Form 4 when you buy or otherwise receive the transfer of a complete NFA item. The corresponding NFA transfer tax is also required when you submit Form 4 for each and every title II item that you buy. Items in the AOW category require a $5 transfer tax, while other NFA items require $200 in tax for the transfer. Firearms dealers who deal in title II products are referred to as Class III Dealers.
Finally, when it comes to interstate travel and your legally owned NFA item, you have to consider BATFE Form 5320.20:
Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5320-20.pdf
Note the title of this form as it only pertains to ‘certain’ NFA items. Submitting form 5320.20 is not required for items such as sound suppressors, but approval is required for transportation of items like SBR and machineguns. The good news is that you do not have to send any money in with this form. Once the ATF approves your form, you can travel to and from your interstate destination with your NFA item.
Knowing each state's law is critical when transporting restricted items.Knowing your state's law is essential when considering a build or to purchase any NFA restricted item.
A good read for the NFA newbie can be found on Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firearms_Act
Knowledgeable members: if you can add to, or correct any of the information that I've posted here, please do so!
Last edited:
