Armory Sponsor
Posted: 5/27/2008 9:23:54 PM EDT
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I will be moving cross country this summer. The moving companies want nothing to do with my guns or reloading supplies so I will be transporting them myself. Including two NFA items. An SBR and a suppressor. I will be traveling from Utah to Pennsylvania. We will be visiting family along the way so we will be on I-90 and I-80. We will be passing through at least one non NFA state (Illinois). Anything I need to be aware of other than obeying all traffic laws and 'keeping my head down'? |
It isn't a bad idea to avoid Illinois. In theory 18 USC 926a is supposed to protect you, assuming you follow its provisions:
You will need an approved Form 5320.20 for your SBR. You may as well list your suppressor while you're at it. I would get additional 5320.20s for the addresses of the family members you're planning to visit along the way as well. |
You only need to list the destination. However, if you are going from Utah to Pennsylvania, and list the means of transport as private automobile, you are covered for every state between the two ... but it does not give blanket permission for all states, or states off the possible route (in this case, a Utah-to-Pennsylvania 5320.20 would not cover Alaska, or Florida, or California, or Maine, etc.). If you intended to visit those states along the way, you should specify that you are transporting NFA from Utah to Pennsylvania by way of, say, Florida. It is perfectly legal for you to do so, but unless you specify the route on the 5320.20 itself or on an attachment letter, they will assume you are going fairly direct. |
Tony, What you describe is how our trip will go. We are going to Montana to visit family before we head east. I had intended to do a separate 5320,20 for the Montana stop but I will also be sure to word my 'main' 5320.20 to include the route. One detail I hadn't thought of until I read your post. I will be towing a rental trailer with my guns, etc. in it. But the vehicle I will be driving is my company vehicle. Is the generic terminology 'Private Automobile' ok with the use of a company vehicle |
Sure. Private vehicle applies to pretty much anything that you are driving. If the moving company had agreed to transport them, then you would have to use "commercial transport" for the 5320.20, indicating that you would not be present while the NFA items are in transit. |
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I just reviewed the 5320.20 and it states that a facsimile signature is not acceptable, yet I have read that folks often fax their forms. My examiner also told me on the phone that if I run up against the time frame (completing purchase of a home in PA) due to not yet having the ending address, I would be able to fax him the forms. So which is it? Fax or no fax? |
The 5320.20 is a legal document, and like most legal documents, signatures must be original. But ATF often will bend the rule and allow you to fax them in. If I knew I was going to be driving through a state like Illinois, where in a worst-case scenario you might have LE go over your 5320.20 with a microscope, I would much prefer to have an ink-signed copy. Otherwise (in other states), I wouldn't sweat it. But a faxed copy is better than no copy (and thus no federal approval) at all. If at all possible, try for ink. |
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