ATLANTA, GA –-(Ammoland.com)- As the government shutdown extends into its third week, suppressor buyers and dealers across the country have one resounding question: will the shutdown have an impact on suppressor transfers? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. After speaking with sources in the administration, ASA can confirm that the NFA Division is NOT processing tax-paid transfers during the shutdown.
Unlike the actual approval/denial of NFA applications, tax payments for NFA transfers are processed directly by Bank of America. Because Bank of America employees do not work for the government, the $200 tax payments are still being processed as usual. After the checks are cashed, the forms are still being mailed to the NFA Division in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Under normal circumstances, this part of the process accounts for the first one to two weeks of the average NFA transfer. As a result of the shutdown, forms are stacking up as they are received by the NFA Division.
Realistically, consumers can expect to see a short term increase in transfer times while the backlog builds. However, NFA examiners and contractors are known to work extensive overtime, including holidays and weekends. We anticipate that they will look to make up for lost wages and time by working hard once government operations resume. An additional counterweight to the mounting backlog is the fact that ATF has previously assigned non-NFA staff to temporarily assist NFA in reducing past backlogs. ASA will encourage ATF to do the same this time.
Once the shutdown ends, ASA will communicate with NFA Division staff to bring you updates. In the meantime, we encourage consumers and dealers to continue submitting transfer forms for suppressor purchases. After all, government shutdown or not, NFA forms will be processed in the order in which they are received.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATIONÂ 
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.
For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit www.ASAMember.com.
Good, how about a perm shutdown of unneeded expenses and big gov.
The NFA needs to be repealed. Useless law like most gun laws I suppose.
You certainly have faith in the work ethic of thebATF examiners!
My silencer form 4 stamp took 10 and a half months.
You are aware that there is an FBI background check involved as well?
FBI has a huge backlog of background checks, slowing the process an additional month or two.
The FBI has no time limit to perform these checks, so they take as long as the damn well please.
People have started calling their senator or representative when a year has gone by.
After the senator gets involved, they eventually issue the stamp.
My check was cashed March 13, 2018 for a Form 4 Corp suppressor. Only 1 person on the trust. I called last week and was told ATF is waiting for FBI background check! That was all the info ATF would give me. The waiting continues…..
Based on some other information I was able to gather, this is also affecting E-Files Form 1’s as well.
Where is ATF’s ” Venue + Jurisdiction ” over these non – firearm devices ? The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, has no venue or jurisdiction within the borders of any of the 50 States of the united States of America, except in pursuit of an importer of contraband alcohol, tobacco, or firearms, who failed to pay the TAX on those items. As proof, refer to the July 30, 1993 ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1 F.3d 1511; 1993 U.S. App. Lexis 19747, where the court ruled in United States v. D.J.… Read more »