Good_Ole_Red said:
Section 17 is left blank since it's the area for the CLEO signature.
Section 15 you can put whatever you feel. I put "For All Lawful Purposes", just to cover all legal spectrums. As long as it doesnt say "for the eventual overthrow of the US government" or "to kill many peoples", they'll approve you. My next Form 4 will have "Because chicks dig them and all lawful purposes".
If the supressor is out of state, you need to have a dealer who is licensed in NFA items do a transfer for you to bring it into the state etc.
I take it most shops are not class 3 dealers? Do you have a list, or know where I can find a list, of shops around DFW?
FWIW, the title of the thread should probably be changed to something like "NFA/Class 3 info."
Also, I found this. It seems pretty comprehensive for the NFA noobs like myself.
Steps for buying NFA (Class III) Weaponry
Including but not limited to: machine guns, silencers, Destructive Devices, All Other Weapons (AOW: cane guns, pen guns, etc.), short-barreled rifles (SBR), short-barrel shotguns (SBS).
1. You must be at least 21 old and legal buy a handgun (meaning no felonies, violent misdemeanors, dishonorable discharges, etc.).
2. Call your local CLEO (sheriff, police chief, etc.) and ask what his procedure is for signing Form 4 (federal applications for NFA transfer and ownership, supplied by your Class III dealer). SEE STEP 5*
Make sure that he will sign for you BEFORE you buy the firearm. If he won't sign, you can't get the gun. Make sure you can own it BEFORE you buy it, as payment must usually be made in full before the weapon is ordered. (You have to have the serial number before any paperwork can be processed to begin the transfer.)
3. Get two 2" X 2" passport photographs. Attach one to the reverse side of each of the two copies of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) Form 4 given to you. These photos typically cost $5 to $10.
4. Complete a small section on the reverse side of the BATF Form 4 that declares why you wish to possess the item. Most folks say "Collector of firearms".
5. Take the two copies of the Form 4, with pictures attached and your section completed, to your local law enforcement agency. Also take the two FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards given to you by your dealer. Ask the agency to officially take your fingerprints. This will usually cost $10 to $15.
You have to get a local to sign off and complete the section of the reverse side of the Form 4. This merely attests that you are not wanted locally and that the official knows of no law which will be broken if you are approved by the government. The official signing should be made aware that they are not held liable if you do something stupid or break the law.
*Locals that can be asked to sign off are: police chiefs or local law enforcement officers of the same rank, sheriffs, city or town police chiefs, state police commanders, district attorneys, state attorney generals, and judges of state courts that preside over felony trials.
If you own a corporation: you can transfer the NFA firearm to the corporation and no CLEO signature is necessary.
6. Bring your dealer the two copies of the Form 4 and both completed fingerprint cards with a money order or certified check made out to the BATF ($5.00 for an "AOW" or $200.00 for silencer, machine-gun, destructive device, SBR, SBS). This is a one time fee for life!!
The dealer will complete the front of the forms, put the two copies of the completed Form 4, the two completed fingerprint cards and the money order (or certified check) in an envelope and send it to the BATF.
7. You also have to mail a form (supplied by your dealer) to the Department of the Treasury. This form is called the Certification of Compliance, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B), ATF Form 5330.20, which simply states that you are a United States citizen. You fill it out, your dealer gives you the address, and you send it in.
8. The BATF will first remove the money order and examine the paperwork for completeness. It will be assigned to an agent, who will have a nationwide FBI background check performed on you. Once you pass this (all legal folks over 21 pass it), the BATF will mail your dealer one certified copy of of the Form 4 sent them. On this copy will be a stamp that looks like a postage stamp. This is a Federal tax stamp indicating the transfer tax is paid and the item is officially yours.
9. When your dealer receives this Form 4 with the stamp on it (about 90-120 days after you originally mail it), your dealer will call you to come in and complete a BATF Form 4473 (supplied by your dealer) and give you the product along with the Form 4.
You should immediately make several copies of the Form 4 and carry one with you at all times when you have the NFA product with you. Be sure to put the original in a safe place.
ALL THIS SOUNDS COMPLICATED, BUT your dealer should WALK YOU THROUGH EACH PHASE SO YOU CAN GET THE WEAPONRY YOU DESIRE.
Legal Terms of NFA (Class III) Weaponry Ownership
Once you have legal possession of the Class III item you may not take the item across state lines unless you notify the BATF in writing before doing so. These forms are available on the Internet, or we can make a copy for you. You are not asking for their approval but, instead, merely letting them know you are taking a Class III item across state lines and when you will depart and return.
You may not loan this Class III item to anyone.
You may not store this item at a friend's home who has access to it.
This is a restricted distribution item. To possess it requires (at the very least) an extensive background check. You are obligated by law (and common sense) to prevent unqualified people from gaining access to it. You may let others use the item if they remain in your physical presence.
If you decide to sell the item you must bring the item to a Class III dealer and the buyer to legally effect the transfer. The buyer then has to go through all the steps described above and pay the required transfer tax.
Also,
ATF NFA Handbook: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/nfa_handbook/0607nfa_handbook-rev.pdf