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So,
you’re interested in purchasing a suppressor but don’t
know where to begin. Though it may seem
like a difficult and painful
process we can assist you in navigating the forms and
steps necessary to
legally transfer and possess
a suppressor.
Before you even begin the process you must meet certain
requirements, specifically:
You must be at least 21 years of age.
A Wisconsin resident
Be able to own/possess firearms legally
Confirm (call or email) with your local Law Enforcement
that they will sign off on your ATF Form
4 BEFORE you purchase.
Now that you know that you can possess a suppressor you
need to determine what type of suppressor
you would like to purchase. Though you can search the
internet to determine what you are looking
for keep in mind that sometimes when it comes to
research, you get what you pay for. You can also
contact Smith Guns and let us recommend the suppressor
that would best fit your needs, budget and
equipment.
Once the decision has been made on what type or brand of
suppressor Smith Guns can order the
suppressor for you or you can order it yourself from a
different supplier and have it shipped to Smith
Guns. If you order directly from Smith Guns we will
charge you up front for the cost of the suppressor
plus applicable taxes. If you wish to go through another
dealer and have it shipped to Smith Guns we
charge a flat $50.00 transfer fee on all suppressors.
Once ordered the manufacturer will generate the ATF Form
3 (Dealer to Dealer transfer) and submit it
to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives
(BATFE). Once the BATFE has approved the
transfer the manufacturer or supplier will ship the
suppressor to Smith Guns.
Once the suppressor arrives at Smith Guns we generate an
ATF Form 4 (Form 4). The Form 4 will
be filled out in the name of the purchaser, unless the
purchaser has established a Trust (for more
information on trusts please visit
NFA Firearms
Trust or speak to an attorney)
As soon as Smith Guns has completed our portion of the
Form 4 we will notify you that you can pick up
your Form 4 (2 copies), ATF Fingerprint cards (2 copies,
not needed if transferring to a trust), ATF Form
5330.20, Certification of compliance with 18 U.S.C.
922(g)(5)(B) – this is something we will assist you in
completing. Finally the purchaser will verify answers to
questions in section 13 and 14, then sign and
date section 15.
Once the Form 4 is complete you will need 2 recent 2” X
2” passport type photos (Walgreens or similar
can assist you in this) to affix to the Form 4.
With all sections complete and photos affixed you will
need to take the Form 4 to your to either your
local Sherriff or Chief of Police for them to complete
section 17 and be fingerprinted.
Once the Form 4 is complete including photos,
fingerprints done and Form 5330.20 complete, you the
purchaser will need to send a check for $200.00, made
out to the BATFE, along with all paperwork (2 –
ATF Form 4, 2 – ATF Fingerprint cards, ATF Form 5330.20)
Once the BATFE has approved the Form 4, applied a tax
stamp and returned the Form 4 to Smith
Guns we will notify you to come in and complete a ATF
Form 4473 (Transfer Form) and pick up your
suppressor.
A couple of special notes on owning a suppressor:
You (the owner) must be in control of it at all times.
You cannot loan a suppressor to somebody,
unless you are present (unless they are named in a
trust). Otherwise it is considered by the BATFE to be
an illegal transfer.
Always keep photocopies of your Form 4 showing canceled
tax stamp with the suppressor as
proof of legal ownership should Law Enforcement demand
to see legal paperwork. You only have to
produce legal documentation for Law Enforcement (local,
state and federal), not the nosy guys at the
range.
It is your responsibility to be aware of all laws and
regulations (local, state and federal)
governing ownership of a suppressor.
Brian L. Smith
608-784-0310
smithguns@charter.net
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