E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

2nd Amendment and Freedom

Moderators: mpallett, bakerjw

sgtv0811
Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: Cleveland, TN

E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by sgtv0811 »

I sent an e-mail about three weeks ago to Congressman Flerschmann about the current NFA wait time. My first FORM 1 stamp was sent in May 2011 and received Sept 2011. I sent another FORM 1 stamp that went pending OCT 21st. I called my inspector Mr. Pickles about a question on my form and he told me this onewould take 5 months. He stated that it only going to get worse since they had one person quiting and they were not going to re hire anyone. I called the other day to ask wait the current wait time is and they told me 6-8 months. So after hearing that info I decided to send my Congressman an email. I basically stated the problems and the fact that the NFA has doubled the amount of apps and has less manpower. I also tlaked about the creating a new system to speed up the process.

I thought I might receive a e-mail response, but I received a call back from his office. Mr. Spencer called me wanting more information on the process and about the NFA. I filled him in on the details. He ask if there is a bill out there to help these problems. I told him I was not sure but I would do some research. He told me to call him back if I found anything. Not sure if this will help, but it was nice to get a call back.

Anyone have any info I can send Mr. Spencer?

Thanks
User avatar
bakerjw
Elite Member
Posts: 3622
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:13 am
Location: NE Tenn.

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by bakerjw »

I've seen this mentioned on NFA forums before. It seems that people don't mind government agencies growing in size when it comes to processing something that they want. We have to decide, do we want more federal agents processing forms faster or do we want smaller government. In the long run I'll go with smaller government otherwise my complaints will only add to the problem.

Of course this is pushing the "NFA firearms shouldn't require ATF forms" argument to the side.
July 5th, 2016. The day that we moved from a soft tyranny to a hard tyranny.
User avatar
Blaubart
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 4962
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:22 pm
Location: Bozeman, MT

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Blaubart »

bakerjw wrote:It seems that people don't mind government agencies growing in size when it comes to processing something that they want. We have to decide, do we want more federal agents processing forms faster or do we want smaller government. In the long run I'll go with smaller government otherwise my complaints will only add to the problem.
I want the government that I'm paying for. We are paying $200 and we are not getting $200 worth of service.
bakerjw wrote:Of course this is pushing the "NFA firearms shouldn't require ATF forms" argument to the side.
Yes. This more accurately addresses the problem of big government. In a perfect world, there would be no NFA branch. But as long as we're required to jump through this hoop, then at least make sure the office is adequately staffed to keep up with demand. I don't see that as being an advocate of big government. I see that as being an advocate of a responsive government.
"And by the way, if you're gonna take up a hobby of letter writing, you might want to learn how to spell "writing" you stupid F--k." - Nighthawk re kwikrnu
Tall Pine
New Member
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:05 pm
Location: Florida

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Tall Pine »

Blaubart wrote:
bakerjw wrote:It seems that people don't mind government agencies growing in size when it comes to processing something that they want. We have to decide, do we want more federal agents processing forms faster or do we want smaller government. In the long run I'll go with smaller government otherwise my complaints will only add to the problem.
I want the government that I'm paying for. We are paying $200 and we are not getting $200 worth of service.
bakerjw wrote:Of course this is pushing the "NFA firearms shouldn't require ATF forms" argument to the side.
Yes. This more accurately addresses the problem of big government. In a perfect world, there would be no NFA branch. But as long as we're required to jump through this hoop, then at least make sure the office is adequately staffed to keep up with demand. I don't see that as being an advocate of big government. I see that as being an advocate of a responsive government.

Very much agree, I plan to write my representatives as well. Makes me wonder if the NRA is using any of its muscle to help with this. Even if ATF quadruples the staff, we are talking about virtually no change in size of gvmt but would speed up this process immensly. Hundreds of thousands of applicants PER YEAR being served by less than a dozen people just isn't reasonable. They are probably making many mistakes being so overwhelemed so there is a quality argument as well. Cannot think of any other areas of govm't that requires so much pure wait time.
User avatar
doubloon
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 11897
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:02 pm
Location: Houston-ish

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by doubloon »

sgtv0811 wrote:...
Anyone have any info I can send Mr. Spencer?
...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2244056/posts

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s941/show

http://www.usacarry.com/hr-1093-batfe-r ... t-of-2011/

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h1093/show
The bill would roll back unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding congressional policies in the firearms arena. These bipartisan bills are a vital step to modernize and improve BATFE operations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtd2jNIwAU MUSAFAR!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI This is Water DavidW
Complete Form 1s http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79895
TheSentinel
Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:26 pm

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by TheSentinel »

What do yall think of this letter I intend to send to my Representative and Senators? Your comments and/or corrections would be appreciated.
Dear Senator XXXX,
First of all, I would like to thank you for leadership, and your service to the people of Kentucky and these United States.

I write to you to bring forth a concern that I, and many of my family, colleagues, and associates share; the wait time of receiving a Federal Tax Stamp to acquire any item restricted under the National Firearms Act (NFA). I recently purchased 2 suppressors from dealers in Louisville and Bardstown. Upon calling the National Firearms Act (NFA) Branch of the BATFE, I was informed that the wait time is anywhere from 6 to 8 months! Personally, I find this to be absolutely ridiculous. In an age where details of nearly every aspect of our lives are catalogued on computer servers throughout the world, that it takes that long to get approval is unacceptable.

I can certainly understand the argument that a background check is in order to prevent those who cannot legally own a firearm from legally acquiring one. Personally, I take it as an affront, as my Constitutional right to keep and bear arms is contingent on the actions of criminals. As more crimes are committed, and more laws passed, I have to cut through more and more bureaucratic red tape to exercise a right guaranteed to me as a United States citizen by the Constitution set in place by our founders.

Thankfully, with the creation of the “instant background check”, that infringement has been negated, somewhat. That is what brings me to my point. If I can purchase and take possession of any number of firearms within minutes, limited only by my ability to afford them, why is it that there is a 6 to 8 month wait to acquire permission from the Federal Government to take possession of a single accessory that its only purpose is to make my firearms quieter; arguably to make my firearms safe for my hearing? Not just a single 6 to 8 month wait, but the same for each, and every time I purchase one? As I said, I can understand the argument of background checks, but if the Federal Government can perform an instant background check that only takes around 5 minutes for the purchase of an actual firearm, why can it not do the same for items that fall under the purview of the NFA? The only conclusion I can come to is the BATFE’s desire to deter citizens from applying for permission to begin with. I am willing to pay the $200 dollars each and every time I wish to acquire a NFA item, but the wait time is preposterous.

Dealer to dealer or manufacturer to dealer transfers of these items usually only take 2 to 3 weeks. I of course understand that these dealers have had background checks run on them, but it is glaringly obvious that they do not have to each and every time they acquire a NFA item from another dealer.

It is my understanding that the NFA branch is currently backlogged with forms awaiting approval due to a lack of examiners. I have also heard that the BATFE is currently under a “hiring freeze” so as the NFA branch loses examiners, they cannot hire new ones to replace them. Please do not misunderstand me, I abhor the growth of government, but I also believe that if the Federal Government is going to require that I pay $200, submit fingerprints, submit a photograph of myself, get my local sheriff to sign off on my forms, and wait for a background check to be performed (each and every time I wish to acquire another NFA item), then the Federal Government is also obliged on its part to provide the manpower and resources to speedily approve or disapprove my application.

I have held concealed carry permits in both the state of Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that have allowed me to purchase firearms without having to submit to a background check in those respective states. Why can we not have in place a system that can either; a) perform a quicker background check, and streamline the Tax Stamp process, or b) create some sort of “Individual NFA Permit”, renewable every 2 to 3 years that would negate the need for a background check and streamline the process?

I look forward to your response and any ideas you may have personally that may improve the quality of service I can and should expect from my Government that I pay for. Thank you for your time Senator XXXX and thank you again for your service to our Commonwealth and our nation.

Sincerely,


________________
“Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts, these guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.” –Mitt Romney July 1, 2004
User avatar
TiredOldMan
Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:42 pm
Location: Texas
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by TiredOldMan »

I like it!

Would you allow me to borrow it after making a few changes to reflect among other things the state?
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples money"
Margaret Thatcher

Central Texas 01/03
TheSentinel
Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:26 pm

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by TheSentinel »

TiredOldMan wrote:I like it!

Would you allow me to borrow it after making a few changes to reflect among other things the state?

By all means, please feel free to use it. Anyone else that would like to...please do!
lafsnguy
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 300
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:46 pm
Location: Louisiana

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by lafsnguy »

Just sent a similar letter to both my senators and my congressman.
User avatar
504ranger
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 546
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:48 pm
Location: Odenton, Maryland

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by 504ranger »

Please post if they respond. I'm curious about this as well. Thaks guys.
SRM
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 1825
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:20 pm
Location: wyoming

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by SRM »

Here is a random thought. Instead of closing down post offices around the country, they could just help in the form processing.
CrazyDoc
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 300
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:14 pm
Location: NW FL

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by CrazyDoc »

SRM wrote:Here is a random thought. Instead of closing down post offices around the country, they could just help in the form processing.
"If hooking a cat up to a car battery will help cure cancer, I have one thing to tell you. Red is positive and black is negative.

I will say no more."
User avatar
Ben B.
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 2513
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2006 11:53 pm
Location: Eugene, OR

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Ben B. »

Blaubart wrote:...I want the government that I'm paying for. We are paying $200 and we are not getting $200 worth of service...
Since the $200 NFA tax was intended to discourage and hinder purchase, I'd say we get full value.
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.
Thomas Jefferson

USPSA FY60903...B-class SS, B-class L10, B-class Prod.
IDPA A30195...Expert CDP, Master SSP
User avatar
TiredOldMan
Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:42 pm
Location: Texas
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by TiredOldMan »

TheSentinel wrote:
TiredOldMan wrote:I like it!

Would you allow me to borrow it after making a few changes to reflect among other things the state?

By all means, please feel free to use it. Anyone else that would like to...please do!
Thanks
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples money"
Margaret Thatcher

Central Texas 01/03
User avatar
Bendersquint
Industry Professional
Posts: 11357
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Bendersquint »

Spoke with a politician recently and he said he received a real long letter like that, he read a few lines, didn't want to read the whole manifesto and gave it to an aid, if the aid thought he needed to see it then he would be briefed on it. He never saw the letter again. He's a republican and owns a Form4 too.

He even stated that the $200 was meant to be prohibitive in nature and is thankful it hasn't increased. He refuses to bring it up in session because he believes that if its brought to the table that they may increase it notably, especially since the ATF budget is lacking. A raise in the tax would hire new employees for the NFA Branch but limit the transfers since a $500+ tax for a suppressor would eliminate most buyers.

I know I never would have gotten into NFA if it were $500 a pop.
User avatar
Bendersquint
Industry Professional
Posts: 11357
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Bendersquint »

Tall Pine wrote: Hundreds of thousands of applicants PER YEAR being served by less than a dozen people just isn't reasonable.
There are not hundreds of thousands of Forms submitted each year. Wishful thinking but entirely not the case!

I think the number was under 30,000 suppressors transferred last year and there are far more suppressor transfers than any other type of NFA, and its consistent every year.
User avatar
rogerme
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 1645
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:43 pm

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by rogerme »

There is the easy solution to the problem. Mots gov contracts have time limits on them with monetary penalties for every day they go over. So lets just change the rule to you pay 200 for the stamp they have 30 days to return it. Every day after 30 they loose 20 bucks. As soon and they have to write ONE check for 220 the problem will end. Government only changes when enough people get behind the attempt to solve a problem or it costs them the loss of a revenue stream.

Of course I would simply like to see our leaders stand up and follow the words they swore into office with and defend the Constitution then we would have non of this NFA nonsense to deal with.
"If you carry a gun, people call you paranoid. That's ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?"

Clint Smith
66427vette
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 1873
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:14 pm

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by 66427vette »

The more we can stay under the radar the better. If you hate the wait get your ffl/sot . Cut your wait times and make enough money to pay for your hobby and then some.
jaredr
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 594
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:14 pm

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by jaredr »

TheSentinel wrote:What do yall think of this letter I intend to send to my Representative and Senators? Your comments and/or corrections would be appreciated.
Very well written, thanks for taking the time and effort to put it up here.
ScorpioMk
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:10 pm
Location: Mill Creek

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by ScorpioMk »

66427vette wrote:The more we can stay under the radar the better. If you hate the wait get your ffl/sot . Cut your wait times and make enough money to pay for your hobby and then some.

I disagree, the more people we get on our side the better. And thats coming from someone who does plan on getting an ffl/sot.
User avatar
doubloon
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 11897
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:02 pm
Location: Houston-ish

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by doubloon »

Bendersquint wrote:
Tall Pine wrote:...
I think the number was under 30,000 suppressors transferred last year and there are far more suppressor transfers than any other type of NFA, and its consistent every year.
That's probably about right, the ATF published a number of 91,900 "transfer applications" for 2010, 86,753 forms for 2009 and 41,579 in 2005 but I believe "forms" includes Form 4, Form 1, Form 3, 5320.20, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtd2jNIwAU MUSAFAR!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI This is Water DavidW
Complete Form 1s http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79895
User avatar
Bendersquint
Industry Professional
Posts: 11357
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Bendersquint »

doubloon wrote:
Bendersquint wrote:
Tall Pine wrote:...
I think the number was under 30,000 suppressors transferred last year and there are far more suppressor transfers than any other type of NFA, and its consistent every year.
That's probably about right, the ATF published a number of 91,900 "transfer applications" for 2010, 86,753 forms for 2009 and 41,579 in 2005 but I believe "forms" includes Form 4, Form 1, Form 3, 5320.20, etc.

The forms include, Form 1,3,4,5,10.

Interstate transportation forms are not counted in that number.
User avatar
starlingstalker
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 304
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:47 am
Location: Astrodome

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by starlingstalker »

I have held concealed carry permits in both the state of Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that have allowed me to purchase firearms without having to submit to a background check in those respective states. Why can we not have in place a system that can either; a) perform a quicker background check, and streamline the Tax Stamp process, or b) create some sort of “Individual NFA Permit”, renewable every 2 to 3 years that would negate the need for a background check and streamline the process?

So, a "renewable" NFA "Permit" that easily could become revocable enmass? And disbar anyone jest becuz it's a new found "permit"?
I'm not trying to get on a plane to get a fast track "permit" to circumvent the TSA from fondling and groping frequent flyers.
No Thank You, I'll vote for the wait times, how ever long it might be. :cry:
And no Thank You TSA, I don't do body scanners, so I'll drive slowly instead of fly quickly. :mrgreen:
starlingstalker :(
Ban weapons, not firearms!
It may ONLY be a dollar but its STILL a Sux Tax!
Pssst, so let's change this infringing UNConstitutional Law!
User avatar
doubloon
Silent But Deadly
Posts: 11897
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:02 pm
Location: Houston-ish

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by doubloon »

Bendersquint wrote:
doubloon wrote:...
That's probably about right, the ATF published a number of 91,900 "transfer applications" for 2010, 86,753 forms for 2009 and 41,579 in 2005 but I believe "forms" includes Form 4, Form 1, Form 3, 5320.20, etc.
The forms include, Form 1,3,4,5,10.

Interstate transportation forms are not counted in that number.
This is where I got it from. It just says "interstate movement" in addition to "transfer" so I assumed it was a movement that was not a transfer.
http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearm ... 011911.pdf
NFA Application Volume
FY2010 set a new record for the number of transfer applications received by the NFA Branch for the making, import, transfer, export and interstate movement of NFA firearms. There were more than 91,900 application forms processed in FY2010, which accounts for a 6% increase over FY2009, which had set the previous record with 86,753 applications processed. 2010 marked the sixth straight year of annual increases in NFA applications. The overall trend is dramatic when you consider that FY2005 had a total volume of 41,579 applications.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtd2jNIwAU MUSAFAR!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CrOL-ydFMI This is Water DavidW
Complete Form 1s http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79895
User avatar
Bendersquint
Industry Professional
Posts: 11357
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: E-mailed my Congressman about the current NFA wait time.

Post by Bendersquint »

doubloon wrote:
Bendersquint wrote:
doubloon wrote:...
That's probably about right, the ATF published a number of 91,900 "transfer applications" for 2010, 86,753 forms for 2009 and 41,579 in 2005 but I believe "forms" includes Form 4, Form 1, Form 3, 5320.20, etc.
The forms include, Form 1,3,4,5,10.

Interstate transportation forms are not counted in that number.
This is where I got it from. It just says "interstate movement" in addition to "transfer" so I assumed it was a movement that was not a transfer.
http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearm ... 011911.pdf
NFA Application Volume
FY2010 set a new record for the number of transfer applications received by the NFA Branch for the making, import, transfer, export and interstate movement of NFA firearms. There were more than 91,900 application forms processed in FY2010, which accounts for a 6% increase over FY2009, which had set the previous record with 86,753 applications processed. 2010 marked the sixth straight year of annual increases in NFA applications. The overall trend is dramatic when you consider that FY2005 had a total volume of 41,579 applications.
Interstate movement that they are talking about in the quote is the required notification and database updates for when you change the address you store your goodies at.
Post Reply