NFA Gun Trust Lawyer Blog
We understand that ATF has approved a number of applications to permit Gun Trusts to manufacture machine guns and then rescinded the tax stamp to make the machine gun.
Many others have reported to us today that their Form 1 was disapproved by the ATF with the following reason:
THE GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968 (GCA), AS AMENDED, PROHIBITS ANY PERSON FROM POSSESSING A MACHINEGUN NOT LAWFULLY POSSESSED AND REGISTERED PRIOR TO MAY 19, 1986. SEE 18 U.S.c. § 922(0). THE GCA DEFINES THE TERM “PERSON” TO “INCLUDE ANY INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, COMPANY, ASSOCIATION, FIRM, PARTNERSHIP, SOCIETY, OR JOINT STOCK COMPANY.” SEE 18 U.S.c. § 921(A)(1). PURSUANT TO THE NFA, 26 U.S.c. § 5822, AND IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS, 27 C.F.R. § 4 79.105(A), ATF MAY NOT APPROVE ANY PRIVATE PERSON’S APPLICATION TO MAKE AND REGISTER A MACHINEGUN AFTER MAY 19, 1986.
THE FACT THAT AN UNINCORPORATED TRUST IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF “PERSON” UNDER THE GCA DOES NOT MEAN THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MAY AVOID LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 922(0) BY PLACING A MACHINEGUN “IN TRUST.” CONSEQUENTLY, IN TERMS OF AN UNINCORPORATED TRUST, ATF MUST DISREGARD SUCH A NON-ENTITY UNDER THE GCA AND CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUAL ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST TO BE THE PROPOSED MAKER/POSSESSOR OF THE MACHINE GUN.
It would seem that the ATF does not consider their approval to be governmental authority. The personal possession has an exception that deals with machine guns under the authority of the government.
If you received an approval and it was receinded and would like to explore your options please contact us.