National Firearms Act (NFA)

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Answers to some common questions related to what is the Nation Firearms Act (NFA) including the definition, clarification and application of the Act, as well as which form(s) to use in order to apply for a tax stamp.

Are muzzleloading cannons considered destructive devices?

Are paintball and airgun sound suppressers considered NFA weapons?

Does the registered owner of a destructive device, machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle need authorization to lawfully transport such items interstate?

How can a person legally obtain NFA firearms?

How does a person qualify to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearms?

How do I pay an NFA tax?

If a person has a pistol and an attachable shoulder stock, does this constitute possession of an NFA firearm?

If an individual is changing their state of residence, and their application to transport the NFA firearm cannot be approved because of a prohibition in the new state, what options does a lawful possessor have?

If the chief law enforcement official whose jurisdiction includes the proposed transferee's residence refuses to sign the "law enforcement certification", will the signature of an official in another jurisdiction be acceptable?

Is the chief law enforcement officer required to sign the law enforcement certification on ATF Form 1 or ATF Form 4?

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Answers to some common questions related to what is the Nation Firearms Act (NFA) including the definition, clarification and application of the Act, as well as which form(s) to use in order to apply for a tax stamp.

Processing QAs

Has NFA Division implemented processing changes to reduce the number of pending applications?

Are NFA applications processed in a “first in, first out” basis?

What does NFA Division mean when it says there are application “swim lanes”?

My NFA application is submitted, but my background check has not been sent to FBI-NICS, why?

I submitted my NFA application the same time as my friend/family member/etc. and his or her NFA application was processed before mine, why?

What can I do to make sure my background check is processed timely and accurately?

My background check is currently in a “pending” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is currently in a “delayed” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is currently in an “open” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

FBI-NICS responded to my background check with a “proceed,” can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is pending with FBI-NICS, is there anything I can do to speed up the review process?

If I have more than one application pending, will NFA Division process the applications at the same time?

Is bundling available for trusts?

Why do trust applications take longer to process than individual applications?

What is the 24-month exemption to providing the trust document?

I use a simple trust template with only a single responsible person, will my application be processed as quickly as an individual?

Are there other factors other than the review process that result in longer processing times for trusts?