A lost or stolen NFA firearm
A lost or stolen NFA firearm can be a real problem. It can be a very expensive loss, as well as endangering the continued lawfulness of owning NFA firearms, both at a state and federal level. Contrary to what you might hear, NFA firearms, machine guns and silencers in particular, are very rare in crime. A significant source of such weapons in crime is stolen NFA firearms, from law enforcement, the military and civilian collectors. A crime spree with a stolen NFA firearm can lead to restrictive state or local legislation, as well as local law enforcement refusing to continue providing the law enforcement certification needed for transfers to individuals. Safeguarding NFA firearms is not required, but seems to me to be extremely prudent, both to preserve the firearm, as well as its continued legal ownership. Reporting the theft of an NFA weapon to law enforcement is the only way to even have a chance at recovering the gun, and preventing its use (or further use) in crime. I think reporting its theft is a good idea. Below is what is required, as opposed to what is a good idea.
–
In early 1994, ATF decided (in ATF Rulings 94-1 and 94-2) that three 12 gauge shotgun models, the USAS 12, Striker 12, and Street Sweeper, were destructive devices, owing to their non-sporting character, and having a bore over 1/2 inch, as all 12 gauge shotguns do. ATF required owners of these guns to register them, as NFA weapons. This is not exactly an amnesty, as the weapons were not NFA weapons when made. While ATF has not required the payment of the $200 making/transfer tax to register them, they had required the registrant obtain the law enforcement certification on the registration paperwork (Form 1). According to the 7/95 Machine Gun News, NFA Branch has now dropped the requirement for the law enforcement certification on the initial Form 1 registration, subsequent transfers will be by regular NFA procedures. ATF began notifying owners of the guns on 2/1/94 of the classification decision, and gave them 30 days to register the weapon or dispose of it, after notice. Supposedly ATF calculated the 30 days from when the last owner (they could locate) of a weapon was notified. If you purchased the weapon privately, and there was no “forward trace” paper trail, then you may not have known when the 30 days began to run. However according to Machine Gun News, as of 7/95 ATF is still accepting registration applications. It would be wise to contact them before assuming they will not let you register such a gun, and either throwing it away, or just keeping it without complying with the registration procedures.