If you’re one of the many people asking yourself, “What does NFA even mean?” or “Will NFA rules affect my purchase?” CMMG is here to lend a helping hand.
What does NFA even mean?
NFA laws date back to 1934. According to the NRA-ILA website, the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) required registering firearm sound suppressors and fully-automatic firearms with the federal government, including rifles with a barrel under 16 inches, shotguns with a barrel under 18 inches, and rifles and shotguns with an overall length under 26 inches.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), you can make an NFA firearm by filing and receiving approval on the ATF Form 1 Application to Make and Register a Firearm, but that’s only if you make it yourself. Read on to see what to do if you’re buying a firearm from a retailer like CMMG.
You can find all ATF forms here.
Will NFA rules affect my purchase?
Some items we sell are more heavily regulated by the ATF. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and silencers (suppressors) require additional paperwork before they can be delivered to your dealer or you. There is a $200 tax paid directly to the ATF and accompanying paperwork that needs to be approved before you can possess them.
When online shopping for one of our NFA products, you simply need to place the item in the cart and let us know what FFL (be sure they can accept Class 3 firearms) to ship them to, just like any other firearm. We then have a little additional paperwork to do before we can send your NFA items to your selected FFL. Once processed, the FFL dealer will be able to receive the SBR or silencer.
Next, the ATF Form 4, supporting paperwork, and associated tax payment has to be submitted. After submitting the proper paperwork (which your FFL should assist you with) the wait for the approval begins. The approval process can take many months per the ATF. Once the form has been approved you just need to do a little more paperwork at your FFL and then take possession. This to-do list does not include any state-specific laws.
Word to the wise: Take your time on your paperwork and make sure there are no minor errors, so your paperwork isn’t sent back, resulting in starting the process all over again.
We sell items that allow you to build an AR Pistol or an SBR. It is your responsibility to know your regulations, how these can impact you or your purchase, and the legal ways to own these items. The above is subject to change based on local and federal laws.
