Registrants are not required to obtain permission from ATF to move NFA firearms within their State of residence.

However, if a registrant’s address changes after the NFA firearms are registered with ATF, please notify the NFA Branch in writing of the change so the NFRTR can reflect the registrant’s correct address.

To avoid unauthorized transfers, you must store NFA firearms so that no one else has access to them.

Firearms can be stored at locations other than the address on the firearm registration form, such as a safe deposit box. However, unless the registrant is a Federal firearms licensee who has paid the special (occupational) tax to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearms, the NFA Branch should be notified in writing of the new storage location.

Individuals, business entities, or trusts other than class 3 dealers or licensees must obtain permission from ATF prior to temporarily or permanently moving a machine-gun, short-barreled shotgun, short-barreled rifle, or destructive device interstate.

To obtain permission to move these firearms, you must submit either a letter requesting permission to move the item(s) or a Form 5320.20 to the ATF

If you are submitting the request by letter, please include the:

• Name of registrant;
• The firearm(s);
• The current location of the firearm(s);
• The location to which the firearm(s) will be transported;
• The date(s) and means of transportation (car, plane, boat, etc.); and
• The reason the firearm is being moved.

As soon as you discover that your NFA firearm was lost or stolen, you must notify your local NFA branch office of the circumstances by providing the following information:

  1. The name and address of the person to whom the firearm is registered;
  2. The lost or stolen firearm, including the model, manufacturer, caliber or gauge, and serial number; and
  3. The date and place of the theft or loss, including details of the situation.

This report must be made within 48 hours of discover.  In addition, you must notify your local law enforcement authorities within 48 hours of discovery.

You may call the ATF at our 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, toll-free hot line number, 1-800-800-3855.

If an estate includes registered NFA firearms, the executor is responsible for maintaining custody and control of the NFA firearms.  The executor must also arrange for transfers of the items. The executor should transfer the items prior to the close of probate.

WARNING:  The Firearms may not be transferred to another party even a Federal firearms licensee, for consignment or safekeeping but can assist the executor by acting as a broker.

If there are unregistered NFA firearms in the estate, the firearms are contraband and cannot be registered by the estate or any person or entity. The executor should contact their local ATF office to arrange for the abandonment of the unregistered firearms.

Pennsylvania NFA Class 3 firearms
There are several type of Class 3 items that are restricted by the National Firearms Act.

Each state can impose additional restrictions on the sale, purchase, and transfer of class 3 firearms in addition to the compliance that is required with the national Firearms Act.

In Pennsylvania you can own the following items that are regulated the the National Firearms Act

South Carolina NFA Trusts are a specialty. We have a local attorney who is licensed in South Carolina and works with us to prepare South Carolina NFA Gun Trusts based upon your individual needs and circumstances.  There is no reason to visit our office to create the Firearms Gun Trust as it can be completed and discussed over the phone and by email or us mail.  The time to complete the South Carolina Firearms Trust is less than 2 days.

If you want help creating a South Carolina Firearms Gun Trust for the Purchase of NFA class 3 items Contact Us to get int ouch with a South Carolina NFA trust attorney in your area.

Texas NFA Trusts are a specialty. We have a network of attorneys and lawyers in Texas that can help prepare a Texas NFA Gun Trust.  A Texas NFA Firearms trust should contain the latest provisions to protect your rights and your family from the procedural mistakes often made with other trusts.

It has come to our attention that some attorneys have copies language from our older trusts and are marketing these as NFA firearms trusts.  These documents are inferior to the 2008 Texas NFA firearms trust and should not be confused with the documents we produce.  Attorneys who are using our trusts will have https://www.guntrustlawyer.com and a copyright notice on the bottom of each page of the trust.  If you need help finding a Texas Firearms Trust Lawyer for creation of a Texas NFA trust Contact Us to get in touch with a Texas NFA trust attorney in your area.

If you have class 3 firearms and someone other than you knows the combination to your gun safe you could both go to jail.  This is a concept called constructive possession.  If you have given someone the ability to access your class 3 firearms, you have violated the NFA.  If someone has the ability to access your class 3 firearms, they have violated the NFA.

The best way to solve this problem is by creating a business entity or trust that allows the person to be in possession of the items.  If you already own the class 3 items you will have to do another transfer from you personally to the NFA trust.

This is one of the many issues that should be identified and discussed prior to creating an NFA firearms trust.

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