Guns are a hot topic right now. Probably too hot, actually. I think we can all agree, whatever side of the fence you are on, that some sort of reform needs to be done, while respecting the Second Amendment. Either with background checks, closing the private seller loophole, funding for mental health, or something else. But enough politics.
That said, guns are still legal to own in Texas, and many of my clients have guns. Some of these guns are already required to be specially registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) as they fall into a special class of items under the terms of the National Firearms Act (NFA).
Background:
The 1934 National Firearms Act was essentially a tax levied by Congress, but the real purpose was to thwart and curtail possession of "gangster" type weapons, some thought to be a specific response to the St. Valentine's Day Massacre allegedly orchestrated by Al Capone. All sound suppression devices, short barreled rifles and shotguns (less than 18 inches in length), machineguns, and a catch-all class of "other weapons" were listed, and a $200 tax stamp was imposed on any transfer. That was a lot in 1934 dollars, and it worked. Weirdly, it has not changed since.
The registration also required detailed data that the government then used to prosecute registrants who lived in states where possession was illegal, or that could not possess the items for other reasons. Sound like entrapment? Well it was. This lasted until the Supreme Court held that using the self-supplied information for prosecution violated the 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
A 1968 amendment fixed the problem, and you now cannot be prosecuted for a violation prior to or concurrent with your application to register an item. However, after a 90 day moratorium, this also took away the mechanism to register a currently unregistered NFA item, interestingly enough. So, if you have, or come upon, an unregistered NFA item, run away. You're breaking the law. And call a lawyer.
Current Status:
The NFA is still in effect. You still have to go through this process if you want any of the above listed items. Recently, Texas, along with a number of other states, has approved the use of sound suppression devices/silencers for hunting use. This has been met with some controversy, as many people think of "silencers" as something assassins use in movies to kill people. Hence, why they are included in the same category as a machine gun. Others, (such as the Finnish Government, where you can apparently purchase a silencer at any hardware store) think that silencers/sound suppression devices should be mandatory, due to the noise associated with firearms and the potential for hearing loss of those nearbye, and are very much different than machine guns. With that, and the current rush to try and buy any and all firearm related items before any new legislation, many individuals are purchasing items listed under the NFA.
NFA Application process:
Should you decide to purchase a NFA item, there is a process to go through. A long process. Once your item arrives from a licensed dealer, you must complete an ATF form 4 transfer. It is not very complicated, but you will need the serial number of the item, a valid description, and some more identifying information.
If you decide to apply for the item in your name, then after your dealer fills in the required info, you have to submit a photo, fingerprints, and have the chief law enforcement officer (sheriff or police chief) sign off on your application. This can be a pain. Further, only you can possess the NFA item. If you let someone borrow it, they are breaking the law. If you pass away, then your heirs might be breaking the law if the proper structure is not in place.
Here is where a "gun trust" comes in. With the trust format, you apply as settlor/trustee of a trust. This way, you do not have to give your photograph, fingerprints, or have the chief law enforcement officer sign off. This saves a little time in the application process. The real benefit, however, is that it allows any of your named trustees to possess the item outside of your presence. This allows your family and hunting buddies to share in your item and not break the law. Further, many trusts set out a beneficiary designation, so you can dictate exactly who the item will go to, instead of just to your estate. All good things.
Regardless of what route you take, the background check process is extensive. A gun trust will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, allow someone who would otherwise be disqualified from possessing an NFA item to acquire it. They still run a background check on you. Either way, several months or more are common wait times to hear back.
Conclusion:
A "gun trust" is what it sounds like, and it is also not what people think. It is not an asset protection device, and it is not a place to put all your guns. I get lots of calls asking for both of these, but that is not the purpose of this specific trust. The best use, until the law changes one way or the other, is for the responsible use and acquisition of NFA items. Nothing more. That said, it is a very useful tool for those who have that specific need.
That said, guns are still legal to own in Texas, and many of my clients have guns. Some of these guns are already required to be specially registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) as they fall into a special class of items under the terms of the National Firearms Act (NFA).
Background:
The 1934 National Firearms Act was essentially a tax levied by Congress, but the real purpose was to thwart and curtail possession of "gangster" type weapons, some thought to be a specific response to the St. Valentine's Day Massacre allegedly orchestrated by Al Capone. All sound suppression devices, short barreled rifles and shotguns (less than 18 inches in length), machineguns, and a catch-all class of "other weapons" were listed, and a $200 tax stamp was imposed on any transfer. That was a lot in 1934 dollars, and it worked. Weirdly, it has not changed since.
The registration also required detailed data that the government then used to prosecute registrants who lived in states where possession was illegal, or that could not possess the items for other reasons. Sound like entrapment? Well it was. This lasted until the Supreme Court held that using the self-supplied information for prosecution violated the 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
A 1968 amendment fixed the problem, and you now cannot be prosecuted for a violation prior to or concurrent with your application to register an item. However, after a 90 day moratorium, this also took away the mechanism to register a currently unregistered NFA item, interestingly enough. So, if you have, or come upon, an unregistered NFA item, run away. You're breaking the law. And call a lawyer.
Current Status:
The NFA is still in effect. You still have to go through this process if you want any of the above listed items. Recently, Texas, along with a number of other states, has approved the use of sound suppression devices/silencers for hunting use. This has been met with some controversy, as many people think of "silencers" as something assassins use in movies to kill people. Hence, why they are included in the same category as a machine gun. Others, (such as the Finnish Government, where you can apparently purchase a silencer at any hardware store) think that silencers/sound suppression devices should be mandatory, due to the noise associated with firearms and the potential for hearing loss of those nearbye, and are very much different than machine guns. With that, and the current rush to try and buy any and all firearm related items before any new legislation, many individuals are purchasing items listed under the NFA.
NFA Application process:
Should you decide to purchase a NFA item, there is a process to go through. A long process. Once your item arrives from a licensed dealer, you must complete an ATF form 4 transfer. It is not very complicated, but you will need the serial number of the item, a valid description, and some more identifying information.
If you decide to apply for the item in your name, then after your dealer fills in the required info, you have to submit a photo, fingerprints, and have the chief law enforcement officer (sheriff or police chief) sign off on your application. This can be a pain. Further, only you can possess the NFA item. If you let someone borrow it, they are breaking the law. If you pass away, then your heirs might be breaking the law if the proper structure is not in place.
Here is where a "gun trust" comes in. With the trust format, you apply as settlor/trustee of a trust. This way, you do not have to give your photograph, fingerprints, or have the chief law enforcement officer sign off. This saves a little time in the application process. The real benefit, however, is that it allows any of your named trustees to possess the item outside of your presence. This allows your family and hunting buddies to share in your item and not break the law. Further, many trusts set out a beneficiary designation, so you can dictate exactly who the item will go to, instead of just to your estate. All good things.
Regardless of what route you take, the background check process is extensive. A gun trust will not, I repeat, WILL NOT, allow someone who would otherwise be disqualified from possessing an NFA item to acquire it. They still run a background check on you. Either way, several months or more are common wait times to hear back.
Conclusion:
A "gun trust" is what it sounds like, and it is also not what people think. It is not an asset protection device, and it is not a place to put all your guns. I get lots of calls asking for both of these, but that is not the purpose of this specific trust. The best use, until the law changes one way or the other, is for the responsible use and acquisition of NFA items. Nothing more. That said, it is a very useful tool for those who have that specific need.
