Checklist for Purchasing an NFA Item

To Purchase an NFA Item, the following qualifications apply:

  1. Must be legal to own in your state. See Chart listed in ”How to Buy an NFA Item”.
  2. Be a resident of the United States.
  3. Be legally eligible to purchase a firearm.
  4. Pass an ATF background check.
  5. Be at least 21 years of age for handgun and 18 for rifles/shotguns. For silencers, at least 21 to purchase from a dealer and 18 to purchase from a private citizen.

Purchase as an Individual Checklist

  1. Carefully complete (2) ATF Form 4s (5320.4) and sign in black ink. (See example of a completed Form 4 provided)
  2. Obtain (2) passport photos and affix one to each Form 4. (DO NOT STAPLE IT)
  3. Carefully complete (2) FBI Form FD-258s in black ink. (See example of a completed FD-258 provided)
  4. Make (1) photocopy of your completed Form 4 with passport photo affixed.
  5. Write a check for $200.00 payable to ATF.

Mailing Checklist

To: CLEO

  1. Photocopy of ATF Form 4 to the CLEO identified on Form 4.

To: NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT BRANCH

  1. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
    P.O. Box 530298
    Atlanta, GA 30353-0298
  2. (2) Original ATF Form 4s (make sure you have affixed your photo to item 15 of each form (DO NOT STAPLE IT)
  3. (2) Original FBI Form FD-258s (Fingerprint Card)
  4. $200.00 check payable to ATF.

Purchase Through a Trust

  1. Carefully complete (2) ATF Form 4s (5320.4) and sign in black ink. (See example of a completed Form 4 provided)
  2. Make (1) photocopy of your trust documentation
  3. Make (1) photocopy of your completed Form 4

Identify all responsible persons (including yourself) and PER person: The official definition, reads as follows “In the case of an unlicensed entity, including any trust, partnership, association, company (including any Limited Liability Company (LLC)), or corporation, any individual who possesses, directly or indirectly, the power or authority to direct the management and policies of the trust or entity to receive, possess, ship, transport, deliver, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a firearm for, or on behalf of, the trust or legal entity. In the case of a trust, those persons with the power or authority to direct the management and policies of the trust include any person who has the capability to exercise such power and possesses, directly or indirectly, the power or authority under any trust instrument, or under State law, to receive, possess, ship, transport, deliver, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a firearm for, or on behalf of, the trust. Examples of who may be considered a responsible person include settlors/grantors, trustees, partners, members, officers, directors, board members, or owners. An example of who may be excluded from this definition of responsible person is the beneficiary of a trust, if the beneficiary does not have the capability to exercise the powers or authorities enumerated in this section.”  In our trusts, this means that settors/grantors and trustees (but not successor trustees) are responsible persons.

  1. Carefully complete (1) ATF Form 5320.23 for each responsible person and have that person sign his/her form in black ink
  2. Obtain a passport photo for each responsible person and affix it to Section 3e of that person’s Form 4320.23 (DO NOT STAPLE IT)
  3. Carefully complete (2) FBI Form FD-258s in black ink for each responsible person. (See example of a completed FD-258 provided)
  4. Make (1) photocopy of the completed Form 5320.23 for each responsible person (make sure the passport photo is attached before you make the copy)
  5. Identity your local Chief Law Enforcement Offer (CLEO)
  6. Write a check for $200.00 payable to ATF.

MAILING CHECKLIST

To:       CLEO

  1. (1) photocopy of ATF Form 4 (5320.4) to the CLEO identified on Form 4.
  2. (1) photocopy of ATF Form 5320.23 for each Responsible Person

To:       NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT BRANCH

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

P.O. Box 530298

Atlanta, GA 30353-0298

  1. (2) Original ATF Form 4s (5320.4)
  2. (1) Original ATF Form 5320.23 for each Responsible Person
  3. (2) Original FBI Form FD-258s (Fingerprint Card) for each Responsible Person
  4. (1) Photocopy of Trust Documentation
  5. (1) $200.00 check payable to ATF.