Since the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) instituted its new policy surrounding the processing of National Firearms Act (NFA) applications, the wait time for the ATF to approve an application and issue a tax stamp has been drastically cut down for those filing as individuals, but the process at the ATF used to process a trust remained unchanged. Though the trust process is still the same, a side effect of the improved processing of individual Form 4s has led to the wait time for trust Form 4s shrinking significantly.
The ATF rolled out its new method of processing NFA applications two months ago. The Bureau abandoned its “first in, first out” method of processing instead of electing to send all applications to the FBI for the NICS check before processing them. NICS has been the bottleneck in the process. By sending the applications to the FBI first, the ATF could process applications that come back “approved” in record time. This change meant that some people even got same-day approval.
The processing of trust applications is a different story. Since each trust has to be read in its entirety, it has to be processed by the ATF before the submitting party’s information can be sent off to the FBI to be run through NICS. A NICS check is only valid for 30 days, meaning that the processor wouldn’t have time to complete a review of the trust before the NICS check expires.
The wait times for trust are still significant, although, with the clearing of the individual Form 4 backlog, trust Form 4s have seen wait times slashed by an average of 40 days. This change is welcomed by the gun community, which has been facing wait times of up to a year or longer.
The ATF plans to streamline the trust approval process for standard trusts from companies like Silencer Shop and Silencer Central. Those trusts are “boilerplates,” meaning the only things that change are the item information and the customer information. This standardization should allow the ATF to process these trusts faster than a customized trust since customized trusts are all unique and will require someone to read through the entire trust to make sure it is compliant with federal law.
The ATF doesn’t have a timeline for changing the processing of Form 4s submitted with trusts, but it is working on a plan. The NFA division is at the mercy of other groups within the ATF, such as the Information Technology (IT) Branch, to implement changes to processing. But even with that process not in place yet, the cutting of wait times has been something that gun owners have been clamoring for.
Live Inventory Price Checker
Dead Air KeyMo Zero .30 Suppressor Mount - 9/16x24
GunMag Warehouse
$
65.99
Dead Air NoMax 33 Xemax Rifle Suppressor - Black
Palmetto State Armory
$
1199.99
DEAD AIR MOJAVE 9 MODULAR 9MM W/PSTN SUPPRESSOR
Bereli
$
1029.00
Dead Air Xeno Adapter Lightweight Suppressor Mount
Ammunition Depot
$
101.49
Dead Air MASK22 MaskHD, 22LR Suppressor, Black
Shooters Choice
$
489.00
$
459.00
The shorter wait times should also help the suppressor industry. The vast majority of Form 4s are for suppressors. One key obstacle was the long wait. Gun owners didn’t like having to pay for something and then having to wait a year to get it. The market for suppressors has exploded, and the change to the ATF process will cause a significant bump in sales.
The ATF claims that the reduction of wait times is the new normal. Gun owners can only hope that this change is permanent, at least until suppressors are removed from the NFA.
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. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
Join GOA! 100% Better than NRA……
Cut all fees first. 2A is the only right in the Bill of Rights that is taxed and has fees to it. Imagine voting fees, or taxed when you speak your mind, or charged fees to have a fair trial. It would never happen. So why 2A?
they should be reducing batfe not the wait times for “nfa” items, which is unconstitutional if you can comprehend the english language. nothing should be an “nfa” item. the government will always have better and more than we could acquire.
the shear and utter ignorance and hubris of government makes them an enemy of the citizen. a huge number/vast majority of government agents should be taken off the teat that is the American taxpayer. we get bovine excrement from people who make more money and benefits than the average American taxpaying citizen.
FU$K the atf and every agency employee!!!!!
NFA is unconstitutional under Bruin. DO NOT COMPLY, DO NOT PAY THE TAX. DO NOT REGISTER AND GIVE THEM YOUR ADDRESS SO THEY CAN KILL YOUR DOG, YOUR FAMILY AND YOU. Demand your constitutional rights as an AMERICAN.
WE ALL need to stop being pu$$ies, stop complying with unconstitutional police state assholes and start being Americans. Dump more tea in the harbor!!
DO NOT COMPLY!!!!!!!!!!!
The agency in charge of infringements on that which “shall not be infringed” has achieved some increased efficiency in processing paperwork used to police their infringements.
They want us to be happy with their efforts.
Seriously, Dudes?
The ATF claims that the reduction of wait times is the new normal. Gun owners can only hope that this change is permanent, at least until suppressors are removed from the NFA.
and that SOON suppressor’s are removed from the NFA.
Trump 2024
Private sales require no wait time . FJB and the ATF.
While I can appreciate that people see this as a good thing, this will undoubtedly have at least some chilling effect when it comes to opposition of the NFA. Make people comfortable and somewhat happy and they’re less likely to oppose you.
Let’s not forget that the NFA is entirely unconstitutional and needs to be abolished in the process of restoring our 2A rights.
Question; WHEN will the ILLEGALLY FORMED ATF, BY AN IRS MEMO, BE DISOLVED?
NRA, I know it is not popular amongst many here including me, but Pe Pe le pew is gone and they are having their convention today starting at noon today in Texas but they didn’t specify Pacific, Mountain or East coast time. The news channel that has MAX in it’s name will be televising the event.
Most importantly, President Trump will be there speaking, so I will be watching. I hope you do to.
Take care.