Earlier in the week, AmmoLand News received a concerning tip from an anonymous source about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) eForms system being shut down for the foreseeable future. This tip came through our anonymous tip box and was also given to YouTuber DLD After Dark by a second source and passed on to AmmoLand. Without verification, we were unable to share the information with the public.
EForms is the system that the ATF uses to process National Firearms Act (NFA) applications for things like silencers and short-barrel rifles. The majority of NFA applications are submitted through the eForms system, which replaced paper forms. The vast majority of gun shops that sell NFA items are dependent on the eForms system to process forms.
Since being informed of the pending shutdown, the eForms system went offline exactly when our sources predicted it would. AmmoLand News was able to verify the information with a third party that this wasn’t an unscheduled outage and was planned by the ATF. The vendor responsible for eForms received notification that the system would be taken offline for “Congressional budgeting concerns.”
Although the email cited Congressional budgeting issues, it did not specify them. Currently, the government is facing a shutdown, but a deal for a continuing resolution (CR) has been reached, and the ATF is currently operating under the old resolution that isn’t due to expire until Friday. This fact leads many to wonder why the ATF decided to shut down the system.
EForms applications have been going through incredibly fast lately, leading many to wonder if the speed of approval was the ATF trying to clear out the backlog of applications before the system was taken offline. The ATF has been mum about the increased speed of approvals and why that hasn’t always been the case since eForms was launched. Excitement over the speed has turned to dread since the system was taken offline.
Form 4 submissions are coming back fast!
These are not LE submissions, just standard E Forms!
Stop by BGV to get yours started!#cans #suppressor #form4 #firearms #guns #quiet #Silencer #silencershop pic.twitter.com/z1PVn9vuZP— The Gun Vault (@TheGunVault2010) February 26, 2024
Congress specifically earmarks funding for the ATF’s eForms system to speed up the approval process of NFA) applications. By shutting down the system, it appears that the ATF is ignoring the wishes of Congress and breaking the law. To many, this shows a government agency that is out of control and doesn’t seem to be held accountable for its actions.
“The recommendation assumes that within the resources provided, ATF will prioritize funding for the National Firearms Act Division to improve firearms licensing processing timelines,” Congress wrote. “The Committee is concerned about the large number of pending applications awaiting processing by ATF. In 2013, ATF established eForms, an electronic filing process, to reduce submission and processing times as well as data entry processing backlogs. The Committee is aware ATF is currently developing ATF Form 4 into eForms and encourages ATF to prioritize funding for this continued development within the funds provided. Completing the modernization of the processing system and automating ATF Form 4 applications is critical and will free up additional resources for improved customer service and prevent backlogs from continuing to mount.”
AmmoLand News reached out to the ATF for comment, but our request was not returned by the time of writing. This situation is a fast-developing story with many moving parts. When more information becomes available, AmmoLand News will bring it to you.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. Mr. Crump has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
“… it appears that the ATF is ignoring the wishes of Congress and breaking the law.”
Again?
A right delayed is a right denied, and since we can’t submit e-forms gun stores should by default run a background check and hand over your SBR or suppressor. Actually, they should just skip the NICS check too, since we did just fine without them 30 years ago … and for decades before that. Go back to mail order, home delivery and immediate transactions. Waiting 6-15 months for government permission when government has no constitutional power to deny access to begin with is a civil rights violation.
Yet one more reason to get off your LazyBoy and get politically engaged with your circle of influence. Become the go-to person for people wanting knowledge, because YOU ARE THE ORACLE! Forget the notion your vote doesn’t count, you’re right it won’t if you’re too damn lazy, yes lazy and won’t participate. It’s because of knowledgeable good people not participating we find ourselves lorded over by imbecile tyrants. The average person reading Ammoland with a few notable exceptions, are informed, smart and are leaders in their circle of influence whether they realize it or not. I would bet, the majority… Read more »
And nothing will come of it. Republicans will act all mad, ask for an accountability and then won’t hold them to the fire or punish them for their actions. Like when Lois Lerner at the IRS she was ordered to f over tea party non profits. Congress said oh that bad but never put in place any mechanism to stop it from happening. Now virtually every agency has become a political weapon
Amen or go to a dealer to transfer a gun to a friend or family member.
OH, lets not do it on our normal work days mon-friday.. Lets do it when working people have the time to buy a gun on the weekend. No coincidence there huh!!!!
Just a preview of what the DNC is planing once they steal the 2024 election in November. And the GOP is worthless as tits on bulls,
More Biden and Obumer Bull !! Just trying to control we the people.. I sent my E form in before Christmas and have heard nothing. Got A friend that got approved in 7 weeks. So he sent in mid January.
I have been run through multiple fingerprinting for concealed handgun license, and an adoption of a child. Looks like all of my records would still be in the system somewhere. Have never been turned down for anything. Never been close to being arrested for anything..
It’s clear that the author and those who have commented so far do not have a computer programming background. This looks like a normal testing schedule for a system wide upgrade. First big clue is it is happening over the weekend and at hours when few, if any, would be normally working. This only effects NFA items and has no effect on the ordinary 4473 per the story. It gives a heads up to commercial customers to not submit Forms 4 etc. during these windows. It may also allow for select employees to scheduled to work as beta testers. We… Read more »
they changed the 2a to say well controlled….so they could do this bs