What are Class 3 NFA regulated and controlled devices ...
Title II (Class 3) firearms and devices are strictly regulated and controlled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) under the National Firearm Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968.
Contrary to popular opinion, most of these categories are allowed in just about every state within the Continental United States, depending of course on the state specific regulations. Always check with your local Class 3 dealer or law enforcement agency before making a purchase, if you have questions you can contact us or go right to the source, here's a link to the BATFE.
The six categories of controlled items and their official definition are listed below.
Machine Guns (Select-Fire)
Any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can readily restore to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by the single function of the trigger.
Short Barrel Rifles (SBR)
Any rifle when modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length.
Short Barrel Shotguns (SBS)
Any weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
Suppressors
Any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for the use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.
Any Other Weapon (AOW)
AOWs are disguised devices such as pens, cigarette lighters, knives, cane guns and umbrella guns. AOWs can be pistols and revolvers having smooth bore barrels or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
Destructive Devices (DD)
Any firearm with a bore over 0.50 inch except for shotguns or shotgun shells which have been found to be generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Devices such as grenades, bombs, explosive missiles, poison gas, etc.
How to purchase Class 3 devices from us
- Decide on the manufacturer and configuration you want to buy, visit the manufacturers website links or our product and resource pages, get the exact model number, color and UPC code if possible, then contact us for pricing and availability.
- We'll get back to you within 24 to 48 hours with purchase options, price and availability.
- If you decide to go forward with the purchase, locate a class 3 dealer in your area, arrange for the transfer, remember to inquire about their fees, as they can vary greatly.
- Contact us via telephone to make your payment.
- We will place the order, the manufacturer will file the 5320.3 "Form 3 - Dealer to Dealer Transfer" with the ATF, once approved they will ship the suppressor to us, we will file our 5320.1 "Form 3" with the ATF listing your receiving class 3 dealer, once that returns approved, we will notify you and ship the item to your dealer.
- When your class 3 dealer receives the item, they will contact you and complete the 5320.4 "Form 4 - Application for Transfer and Registration"
- When the application is complete, it is mailed or electronically filed with the ATF along with your one time tax stamp fee of 200.00.
- Now comes the tough part ... patiently waiting for the call from your dealer that they have received the approved Form 4. Wait times can vary, from 2 to 6 months.
- Head to your dealer and pick up your class 3 device! Make sure you get a the original Form 4 with the tax stamp from your dealer.
- Make a couple copies of your Form 4, put the original in the safe and keep a copy with the item at all times it will save you a lot of trouble should the ATF be hanging out at the range.
We keep a few popular items listed on Gunbroker. If you're looking for a particular item and don't see it listed, let us know and we'll do our best to track it down for you. Click here for our Gunbroker listings.
Gun Control Act of 1968
The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits anyone (other than law enforcement and military) from owning a machine gun manufactured after 1968. The supply of these pre-1968 firearms is finite, causing the prices to inflate to stratospheric levels, for example a Vietnam era M16, originally costing a few hundred dollars, now commands prices upwards of $20,000.
Special Occupational Taxpayer (SOT type 2 Manufacturer) license holders can build new machines guns, but can ONLY sell them to law enforcement, military and defense agencies.
Purchasing and Transferring Ownership
NFA weapons regardless of category are controlled during their transfer from one person or entity to another. These transfers are executed on ATF tax forms, the type of transfer dictates which form is used. The transfer MUST be approved by the ATF before the change of possession actually takes place. This approval can take many months depending on the application type, individual, corporation or trust.
Once the transfer is complete, and possession has changed hands, you must have a copy of the tax stamp (form 4) (form 2 or 3 for manufactures and dealers) with the firearm while you are at the range.
NFA weapons must remain in the possession of the registered owner, you may not permit anyone to have possession of your weapon without you being immediately present.
Click here for detailed information on the FFL transfer process.
Questions ...
