Some what trouble some realization

So I have had a F4 pending for awhile now and thought I would run the numbers on it really quick.
The F4 has been pending for ~120 days, right so I think my last F4 was something in the neighborhood of 140 days.. getting close right? Well lets check the current trends for our shiny new examiner (Bowers) on NFATracker:
His last few transfers have been in the 180day range, and given the current trending pattern it would appear that the backlog is building up and the wait time is increasing at a fairly significant rate. Given my estimates based on the math I am doing (i am not posting the math here because I know it isn't perfect and its really not that important) I am going to estimate my wait time for my F4 to be approx 200 days.

Less than 8 months ago Ms. Dudash was kind enough to return forms to me in as little as 90 days, this new system and redistribution of examiners seems to be working out great.

I have three F4's and one F1 in the system right now. It's looking like six months from the time your check is cashed.

I just got one back for a customer the other day that was submitted late August 2011. They are right at 6 months now. They were at 5 months right before the holidays and then they lost 2 weeks during the holidays and another two weeks over the last three months.

Soon I will be holding more suppressors for customers than I have in stock. Time to charge the ATF with storage fees

Can those fees still be paid in commission sales?

I have one form that went pending on Sept. 27th (form 4) , one pending on Oct. 28th (Form 1), then a couple form 4's pending from the first weeks of December and January. I'm hoping to see my Sept form around the end of this month. Will be nice to have that form in (Osprey 45), but I would REALLY like to get that Form1 in to finish my SBR build....then the other two form 4's are somewhat redundant in my collection.

I was really wanting another 5.56 can.....but right now I'm in no hurry to start the headache process again unless it has a happy switch involved. Shame too, SilencerCo Saker was looking very promising, but I think an Uzi or M16 needs to be started first.

I have 2 Form 4's in the system since 9/16/11 and 3 Form 1's since 10/14/11

so those from September should be coming soon SUB_MG that is a hint for you

What takes them so long? What kind of process takes 6 months to complete?

A Case of the LAZY
Not doing their job
Loafing and hanging out at the water cooler...


when I was an 07/02 getting form 2s in was a nightmare!
They kept LOSING them!
and since their sorry assed fax is not setup to return a receipt you got nothing.

I'm waiting on:

1 F1
1 F4
3 F3's (expect 1 F3 back to SOT any day now...)

All sent in February

The wait is killing me. I'm thinking about sending off two more F1's for SBR's since the wait is just going to increase.

My last F4 came back right at the 6 1/2 month point (August to March). The F4 before that took right around 3 months, which was back in July-October during their little "Examiner Shuffle".

I'm waiting on one F4 and one F1, both sent in in February so I don't expect to see either before September at the earliest. All the data I've been seeing points to the NFA branch slowly losing ground each month, which means by this time next year if demand is not magically reduced (which if anything it will get worse going into an election cycle) the wait could be 10 months+.

apparently they lost 2 or 3 people to retirement and such and they are not replacing them due to the hiring freeze they have.

if things continue with the popularity of SBR and Suppressors it will only take longer.

If they where smart they would hire people and make this process easier but that is just something that will not happen anytime soon.

I'm actually going to defend a gubmint worker here. Gotta give 'em a bit of a break. Their staff numbers are down and their workload is up a hella lot.

Yeah and exactly WHAT do they need to do? Rubber Stamp the goddam form...
They don't even need to think about it.
Honestly the whole system is broken on this subject.
There is no reason for the whole process!
It should fall to the FFL,
They just charge the tax and send it to DOJ with the form and 4473 copy.
Done! No approval is required it is paying a tax not asking for permission.
Pick out SBR/Silencer/Machinegun/AOW/Grenade Launcher etc.
Fill out paperwork, pay tax at point of sale, 4473 is approved, transfer tax form is filled out and faxed in. along with payment of tax. Issues tax stamp and records Serial number on form. Not terribly difficult and requires not a lot of work on behalf of the gubmit. Just filing forms for them.
They then
Stupid is as stupid does!

Going to have to agree here. What do they actually do with the forms? Do they need 10 hours of research each? If it didnt take so long they could get our 200 bucks faster. Wouldnt that equal more money for them since one of the reasons people dont buy NFA toys is the wait after you pay?

Making money was never the purpose of the NFA or the ATF.

I think they should have 60 days from the time recived and then they need to give back 50 bucks per month there after.

Umm... to be honest....
I contacted all my friends in the postal underground. We are holding all your approval letters in a secret location until mine is approved!
Muhahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Behold the power of the disgruntled!!!









For the humor impaired,
I am just kidding!!!!

Makes me want to go postal

As I recall the current approval process for a MO CCW is printed, prints go to MSHP for review, if they show nothing they got to the FBI, the FBI signs off on them and then they go to the Sheriff. I have not had a student tell me this took more than 2-3 weeks (at worst) as of late.
So why does it take the ATF 6+ months to do the same background check? What else is it that they have to do?
Cash check
Review form
Submit FP card to FBI
Await response from FBI
Sign and stamp form
Drop form in mail.

Digitize the forms (scan them as they come in the door) and you can make the process allot easier.

It's merely my opinion, and I haven't been through the hoops myself, but I believe the process is not designed to be easy.

The purpose is to delay and create frustration. Ultimately, in my world of paranoia, the entire process may be ended completely, as even the current examiners must retire some day. Instead of legislating the end of new suppressors, SBRs, and full-auto transfers, they could simply stop them through the weight of slowing bureaucratic inertia.

But maybe I'm wrong and you all should remain optimistic.

what form is needed for a suppressor? and do you have to own the suppressor first before you can file the form or can you file the form, get approved then go pay for the suppressor?

you purchase your suppressor prior to filling out the form.

you pick the suppressor from a dealer he will start the process by filling out the information pertaining to the maker of the item, the serial number and everything else that he must fill in. He will forward this form onto you and you will finish the process. You will need to fill in your info and have it either signed of by your local Sheriff or you use a trust in that case you do not need the approval of your Sheriff / local CLEO.

hope this will help you

SUB_MG is one of several Dealers in MO and he has infected many of us I am sure he would be happy to do the same to you

Sent a Form 1 in for SBR back in December right before Christmas. I haven't even called to check pending status (mostly cause I don't remember the number)...based on my previous From 4 wait time, I was hoping for mid April approval, but now its probably more like June...Oh well, all I have it time I guess.

Then today I find out Sig Sauer is offering a factory SBR program to include the 551-A1 with a 10" barrel. I already picked up a standard 551-A1 back in September, but with this new SBR revelation I think I'm going to have to have one since its as close as I'm ever going to get to an old school 552 Commando, which is my all time favorite assault rifle...So anybody want to buy a standard 551-A1 with exactly 30 rounds down the pipe? Anyone?.....Bueller?

It's all about 'control.'

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