In Part 1 of this two-part episode on SBRs or "short-barreled rifles," Caleb explained what an SBR is and how it's covered by the National Firearms Act of 1934 or "NFA." Now, he's going to walk us through the process of registering an SBR with the ATF. As with any process involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, you'll have to fill out a form. If you're buying an existing, factory-built SBR, you have to submit ATF Form 4. If you're converting an existing rifle or AR-15 pistol or similar gun with a pistol brace into an SBR, fill out ATF Form 1. Shorthand: Making it yourself = Form 1. Buying an existing SBR = Form 4.
You can register your SBR to yourself as an individual OR to a trust of which you are a trustee. If you register as an individual, you are the ONLY person who can be in possession of that SBR. You can't lend it to somebody. Wherever it goes, you have to go with it. If it's registered to a trust, you can include other people among the TRUSTEES, each of whom can legally have the SBR in their possession. Setting up the trust is more expensive, but it gives you a lot more flexibility. Registering as an individual involves less paperwork and costs less because you just spend the $200 for the tax stamp and whatever it costs to have a passport photo made and your fingerprints taken.
You can fill out old-fashioned paper forms and mail them to the ATF. But the turnaround time will be much faster if you use the e-forms on the ATF's website. There's even a process for uploading a copy of your fingerprint card, so if you want to register another NFA item in the future, your fingerprints are already in the ATF database.
If you're submitting a Form 1, for "building" the SBR yourself, your (1) name or your trust's name and (2) city and state will have to be engraved on the receiver of the gun (lower receiver, if it's an AR-15). You can register your SBR under multiple calibers, rather than specifying only one. This means you can change the SBR's caliber by swapping on a different upper receiver assembly without having to re-register the gun. You do have to list specific calibers - you can't just register it as "Multi-Caliber."
When you die, your heirs can inherit your SBR. They'll have to register it with the ATF, but they DO NOT have to pay the $200 tax again. The tax is a one-time deal that applies to the life of the gun. Transferring ownership of an NFA item does require you (or your heir) to fill out and submit an ATF Form 5.
NOTE: Products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.
