NFA Division Affected by Government Shutdown

Rugged Suppressors 7.62 Surge
NFA Division Affected by Government Shutdown

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 ASSOCIATION American Suppressor Association

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.

11 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
James Tompkins

Good, how about a perm shutdown of unneeded expenses and big gov.

Benjamin

The NFA needs to be repealed. Useless law like most gun laws I suppose.

Docduracoat

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.

Nathan Paul Mckenzie

Check cashed: 03/11/2018
It is now 03/14/2019 and I’m still waiting. Called and just stuck in this B’s fbi background check ugh

Keith Carlson

That’s depressing submitted forms 3/4/19. $200 check was just cashed today.

John A.

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…..

KSG

@John Dunlap A. My checks (x3) were also cashed in march 2018. 3 days after i sent them in and as of today i’ve heard nothing. It doesn’t take long to take your money but it takes them a year to do their job and I’ve been backround checked already for my ccw. ATF and FBI are corrupt government clusterfooks waiting for a excuse to deni us of our right’s. Government only wants themselves to have suppressor’s to keep one up on we the people.

Curly Howard

Based on some other information I was able to gather, this is also affecting E-Files Form 1’s as well.

Freebird

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 »

Wild Bill

@Free, Do you have a link. I’d like to read that case even though it is limited to the Seventh circuit.

Freebird

LINK , ( Nothing is as it seems when we look into the A.T.F ) B.A.T.F. – PUERTO RICO We have already demonstrated that both of these organizations are in reality the same organization. Where we find one we will surely find the other. In 27 CFR, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 250.11, DEFINITIONS, we find, “United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office in Puerto Rico … ” and “Secretary – The Secretary of Puerto Rico”, and “Revenue Agent – Any duly authorized Commonwealth Internal Revenue Agent of the Department of the… Read more »