Suppressors Form 3 Wait Times Now 117 Days

[LanceS4803]

I'm waiting on a TBAC suppressor to transfer to my dealer.
TBAC recently changed their average wait time from 87 to 117 days to receive approved Form 3 back from BATF.
I remember when this used to be a 2 or 3 weeks process, so this is getting VERY frustrating.
Can't imagine what will happen when I finally get to send in the Form 4.

 

[FCS]

Buy it, fill out paper work, submit and forget you did it. Watching it monthly/weekly/daily only makes it worse. Process takes as long as it takes. I've got items waiting so it isn't like I'm overly happy with wait time increase.

 

[gixxerk8]

Yep, I'm at 90 days on a form 3 from TBAC. Be a solid year plus from buying to in hand.

 

[Zak Smith]

Several years ago we always got back Form 3's in 10 days, and back then I think we still mailed them.

I don't know all the details but I believe in large part the current delays are because the NFA branch is grossly understaffed for the amount of transfers the current market produces.

 

[wilsey]

Such a depressing post....

 

[rancilio]

Ouch. And to think that a year ago we talked about the wait coming down. Stocking dealers are saving the day!

 

[wfjames22]

FWIW, I just had a form 3 get approved on 7/12 that was submitted on 5/3...10 weeks. Daniel Defense to my dealer here in TN.

 

[11B-B4]

FWIW, I just had a form 3 get approved on 7/12 that was submitted on 5/3...10 weeks. Daniel Defense to my dealer here in TN.

The Sequester is what has ruined the ability for the NFA to timely transfer forms. We have been talking to the American Silencer Association and they are very well informed on this topic. Basically when the sequester hit all the NFA contracted examiners were laid off and the actual full time employees were reduced in hours. Most of them had been approved and were working about 20 hours of overtime per week. So with both of those changes the NFA branch reduced its efficiency about 70% overnight.

There are great things in the works for reforming the NFA branch by the help of the ASA. I've been talking to Scott Bittner at Silenced America and he has been really great in sharing information on what is going on so that we can do our part as well. Me and my brother met with Paul Ryan a couple weeks ago and he gave us about 15 minutes of his time on this issue at a yacht fundraiser (which is really the only way to get face time with him).

But he showed genuine interest in streamlining the NFA branch to not only help the businesses involved in the industry but also the consumers. And let's not forget the govt since the NFA branch basically prints money. This problem is crushing the NFA industry right now since many individuals don't want to put that much time into obtaining a product and even the dealers are finding it difficult to project expenses on a purchase order that they won't see for possibly 3-4 months.

I know Ryan is becoming somewhat of a Rhino republican which is troubling to many, including myself, but he did show genuine interest in helping with this specific issue.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...2943689569.582951.172008254568&type=1&theater

The more manufacturers and individuals that get involved on the political level, the faster we will see resolve with this issue.

 

[317millhand]

Atf has just added the NFA forms to their form system. This will allow dealers to file form 3's electronically. Maybe this will streamline things a bit more

 

[CoryT]

My last two Form 3's took < 60 days, Dec 7 to Jan 7 and Feb 4 to Apr 15

 

[JLR]

I've had submitted since April 14 and haven't got it shipped yet.

 

[chainring]

It took 3 months just to go pending on mine. I didn't use to have to figure on time going pending, just from pending to approved.

 

[pyrofx]

But now the real wait is here !!

Greg

 

[Screendoor]

Hmmm, I wonder what is wrong with my form 3. The dealer says the form 3 was submitted in mid-February, but it hasn't transferred yet. He won't send me or my SOT a copy of the form 3 so that we can verify the form was even submitted. I haven't been able to get a return phone call, email or text msg since May. I sent over $1700 to this guy and I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners. The dealer is highly respected and recommended here on the Hide so I am really confused. There have been multiple posts about people getting their form 3 transferred within a few months, but I am going on almost six months. Any suggestions? I left a voicemail with the dealer the other day asking for my money back if the form 3 hasn't been submitted, but no response to that either.

 

[wfjames22]

Hmmm, I wonder what is wrong with my form 3. The dealer says the form 3 was submitted in mid-February, but it hasn't transferred yet. He won't send me or my SOT a copy of the form 3 so that we can verify the form was even submitted. I haven't been able to get a return phone call, email or text msg since May. I sent over $1700 to this guy and I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners. The dealer is highly respected and recommended here on the Hide so I am really confused. There have been multiple posts about people getting their form 3 transferred within a few months, but I am going on almost six months. Any suggestions? I left a voicemail with the dealer the other day asking for my money back if the form 3 hasn't been submitted, but no response to that either.

Do you have the serial number? If so, I'd assume that the procedure for checking status is the same as for a form 4, call with the serial number and involved parties names and they will give you the status.

 

[Screendoor]

I do not have the serial number.

 

[Andrevski762]

So happy I live 10 minutes from Silencer Shop, I can avoid Form 3s altogether. Still have those pesky Form 4s though, one of which I'm dreading sending off here soon. Guy picking his up the other day as I was leaving said 8 months...

 

[Vmaxed]

Paid for mine on February 22nd and dealer still doesn't have the SOB!!!!

 

[Zak Smith]

They still have to get the silencers into stock on a Form 3 from the manufacturer, though...

 

[11B-B4]

Hmmm, I wonder what is wrong with my form 3. The dealer says the form 3 was submitted in mid-February, but it hasn't transferred yet. He won't send me or my SOT a copy of the form 3 so that we can verify the form was even submitted. I haven't been able to get a return phone call, email or text msg since May. I sent over $1700 to this guy and I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners. The dealer is highly respected and recommended here on the Hide so I am really confused. There have been multiple posts about people getting their form 3 transferred within a few months, but I am going on almost six months. Any suggestions? I left a voicemail with the dealer the other day asking for my money back if the form 3 hasn't been submitted, but no response to that either.

If they can't provide at least a serial number than they are either criminal or woefully inept at running a business. Every dealer should be able to provide a copy of the Form3/4 to the transferee, its just good admin work. I would look for another dealer for your next purchase.

 

[Renegade]

Got in an f3 + gun last week that was submitted just 21 days prior.

 

[Renegade]

The Sequester is what has ruined the ability for the NFA to timely transfer forms.

That may have been true in Jan, but they are at full staff of 12 right now, + the assistants. They expect to hire 3 more before 10/1. This according to Ted Clutter.

 

[Nutro]

So happy I live 10 minutes from Silencer Shop, I can avoid Form 3s altogether. Still have those pesky Form 4s though, one of which I'm dreading sending off here soon. Guy picking his up the other day as I was leaving said 8 months...

I think that was me! Haha

 

[rancilio]

Hmmm, I wonder what is wrong with my form 3. The dealer says the form 3 was submitted in mid-February, but it hasn't transferred yet. He won't send me or my SOT a copy of the form 3 so that we can verify the form was even submitted. I haven't been able to get a return phone call, email or text msg since May. I sent over $1700 to this guy and I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners. The dealer is highly respected and recommended here on the Hide so I am really confused. There have been multiple posts about people getting their form 3 transferred within a few months, but I am going on almost six months. Any suggestions? I left a voicemail with the dealer the other day asking for my money back if the form 3 hasn't been submitted, but no response to that either.

Who is the selling dealer? Maybe somebody here can help.

 

[Screendoor]

I was able to get my issue resolved. There was an issue with the form 3 getting submitted properly.