View Full Version : Rumor Mill NFA Wait Times now 15 Months
electronman1729
10-29-2013, 20:52
Have heard some rumors that NFA items are now taking 15 months, can anyone confirm? Has any one else any forms in the last few weeks?
Circuits
10-29-2013, 20:58
Not a rumor - it's what the NFA phone answerers are giving as current wait time to new applicants who call and ask.
Whether that's how long it will take? Dunno - but that's what's being quoted.
I submitted a Form 4 (trust) in late Feb '13 - still waiting.
But if you want a larger sample size: http://www.nfatracker.com/
In searching through the above it looks like people who sent in Jan 13 are starting to get their stuff back.
Got my SBR about a month ago after 9-10 month wait. Since the new OE rush and .gov shutdown who knows. Everyone with a trust is scrambling to get in the system and be grandfathered in.
Got my stamp today, submitted form 1 on 1/28/2013.
My guess is they are saying that so people will quit calling. It doesn't help to call every month when you know it's going to take 9-10 months anyway. Also they did hire a bunch of new examiners so hopefully the wait time will be reduced.
buckshotbarlow
10-30-2013, 09:19
I submitted a Form 4 (trust) in late Feb '13 - still waiting.
I'm in the same boat...and it's slow!
I'm in the same boat...and it's slow!
Same here
electronman1729
10-30-2013, 20:48
Well after talking to some folks at work today,
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/atf-hires-wave-new-employees-nfa-branch-wait-times-expected-decrease/
Great-Kazoo
10-30-2013, 23:09
Well after talking to some folks at work today,
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/atf-hires-wave-new-employees-nfa-branch-wait-times-expected-decrease/
If they ran a quick NCIC check for those who had received approvals within a 1 yr period they'd be back down to 4 examiners. IF they did an instant pay $200 at the FFL with item in stock and you walked away with one it be better.
If they shitcanned the whole NFA thing it be a dream come true.
IF If If
paddywagon
10-31-2013, 06:54
Well after talking to some folks at work today,
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/atf-hires-wave-new-employees-nfa-branch-wait-times-expected-decrease/
Looks good, but I am not going to hold my breath.[beatdeadhorse]
Well after talking to some folks at work today,
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/foghorn/atf-hires-wave-new-employees-nfa-branch-wait-times-expected-decrease/
You know how many times I've heard that wait times are going to decrease? They never do. This is a system designed to discourage ownership. Once you understand and accept that, everything the NFA branch does makes sense.
O2
DeadElephant
11-05-2013, 20:18
Just received my stamp for SBR last week. Took 9 months to the day from the day I mailed it.
If they ran a quick NCIC check for those who had received approvals within a 1 yr period they'd be back down to 4 examiners. IF they did an instant pay $200 at the FFL with item in stock and you walked away with one it be better.
If they shitcanned the whole NFA thing it be a dream come true.
IF If If
If frogs had wings, they wouldn't bump their ass when they hop.
Circuits
11-05-2013, 22:19
Most recent report I've seen is that people were upset at hearing "15 months" so NFA Branch is now just saying "9 months or more". Ah… nuance.
It's so long now that I'm dissuaded from additional stamp collection. 15 months and I may have changed my mind completely....I thought it was bad back when it took 70-90 days.
I'm hearing some of the efiles are taking 90 days. Not sure if that is because the pipe line isn't full or they actually can process them that much faster. I mailed one before I heard this and called today to cancel it and they said it would take 8-12 weeks before it was even in their system, plus another 90 days for a refund. I just left it and I'm still hoping for times to pick up.
There is no speed benefit for e-filing Form 1 or 4s. They tell you that right up front.
Afterall - the wait isnt because it really takes that long. If they wanted it to go faster they could would any real financial outlay.
Really? I filed one last Monday and it went pending Thursday
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
There is no speed benefit for e-filing Form 1 or 4s. They tell you that right up front.
Afterall - the wait isnt because it really takes that long. If they wanted it to go faster they could would any real financial outlay.
They have approx 62000 forms in as of today. 62000/13 examiners = 4769 per examiner. That works out to roughly 16 a day. That would be a long day of reading trusts.
People are getting stamps back in 90 days (confirmed on NFA Tracker). Now the rumor is, it was just a test of the system to see if it will work, but they have put examiners on just the e-files so only time will tell.
Really? I filed one last Monday and it went pending Thursday
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
Well we will just see come February I hope it's true.
You aren't the only one.
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
Busta Prima
11-12-2013, 23:25
Does it matter if you've been through their wringer before and are buying another NFA item or does every applicant, regardless of prior approvals, have to wait the same amount of time? Does a trust being involved (the very same one) change your answer?
Great-Kazoo
11-12-2013, 23:41
Does it matter if you've been through their wringer before and are buying another NFA item or does every applicant, regardless of prior approvals, have to wait the same amount of time? Does a trust being involved (the very same one) change your answer?
No, Yes and No. Search is your friend. EVERY Submittable is considered a New one. Unless you send a group the same time. . They receive 1 monday and the other you forgot gets delivered friday. Doesn't matter.
Circuits
11-13-2013, 01:14
but they have put examiners on just the e-files so only time will tell.
Just Pickles running some efiles to test the system, is what I've heard. Is it true? dunno.
Two facts are clear about efiles, so far - you get a PDF file of the stamp, not an actual stamp; and if there's an error, you have to cancel and resubmit - no more error correction letter and back to the top of the pile.
RANGERRON72
11-18-2013, 19:49
Just got Jan 13 Form 4's in late Sept, but telling my customers to expect 12 months. Some examiners work faster and better than others, so times really vary by State.
All above FWIW
buckshotbarlow
12-02-2013, 17:47
So my stamp from Feb16 just showed up today. Talked to my dealer and he validated the 15 month wait....Wow, 15 months for me to build my SBR....sigh
Do an E-form. E-form F1s are clearing in about 3 months. Who knows how long that's going to last, though.
O2
Great-Kazoo
12-02-2013, 18:50
Do an E-form. E-form F1s are clearing in about 3 months. Who knows how long that's going to last, though.
O2
4 months[ish] as of this morning. providing, you can log in, register, get an acknowledgement of said interaction, etc. ALSO with the holidaze upon us tack on an extra 30 days.
Ugh, and I was wanting to drop money for a .300 whisper SBR in either Jan or Feb with a can purchase this time next year. Might reconsider if wait times start hitting a year.
Great-Kazoo
12-02-2013, 23:38
Ugh, and I was wanting to drop money for a .300 whisper SBR in either Jan or Feb with a can purchase this time next year. Might reconsider if wait times start hitting a year.
They are not getting any shorter. Buy the can now, do a 300 pistol build ,then around labor day SBR it.
So my stamp from Feb16 just showed up today. Talked to my dealer and he validated the 15 month wait....Wow, 15 months for me to build my SBR....sigh
Is Feb 16 the day you mailed it?
Mike
I have one that was mailed in May, so fingers crossed that I'm 3 months out. w00t
SouthPaw
12-03-2013, 19:40
Talking to someone at bears arms in Windsor this past weekend, he stated that they hired 22 more people to help the work load. The trick is, the previous workers cannot unload any of the current forms that have been sent in but the new forms that are being sent in are given to 22 new people to start on. Not sure if any of that is true and my only source was a manager at bear arms.
SouthPaw
12-03-2013, 19:46
hopefully they were hired before mid October, since I have 4 form 4s that I have submitted in the last month and a half. They can get to work on mine first.
They were supposed to be hired with in the last 3 months. Any forms submitted before than would be in the long line, any new forms submitted would be given to the new guys.
Great-Kazoo
12-03-2013, 19:49
hopefully they were hired before mid October, since I have 4 form 4s that I have submitted in the last month and a half. They can get to work on mine first.
11-13 months as of 11:45 this morning, depending. HOWEVER he did say some are being approved in the 9-10 month time frame. based on my pending date, i will be this much > < closer to soc security before they show up.
I just got my stamp back today, i mailed my paper work feb 4th got it Approved nov 20th just took it home [Beer] i updated my time frame in the first post in the NFA section.
electronman1729
12-03-2013, 21:58
Hopefully i will get my UZI sbr before christmas
Circuits
12-04-2013, 01:49
I got some that went in between feb and apr of this year that aren't back yet.
Suppressor for a Trust - submitted Feb 21st, approved Dec 2nd, stamp arrived Dec 12th.
nisils14
12-16-2013, 14:24
Checked up on my form 1. Check was cashed 10/28/2013, pending on 12/13/2013, slated for September.
paddywagon
12-16-2013, 15:55
I got 9 of them in the system now. 1 of which is Eform. It'll be interesting to see if it makes a difference.[hammer]
Suppressor for a Trust - submitted Feb 21st, approved Dec 2nd, stamp arrived Dec 12th.
What was your pending date? I should be real close to yours.
From today's ATF newsletter - (Form 1 and Form 4) Paper is taking 9 mos and E-file is taking 6 mos. At least, according to the last 90 days they have been tracking.
nisils14
12-18-2013, 15:03
When did they start e-forms? I would've gone that route had I known.
Circuits
12-18-2013, 15:35
When did they start e-forms? I would've gone that route had I known.
August
Just called that BATFE because I have never called to check on my status that i mailed out in May/June.... It went to pending status on July 12th
Just called that BATFE because I have never called to check on my status that i mailed out in May/June.... It went to pending status on July 12th
I've never bothered to call on mine filed in May. I think calling just burdens the system more. It will be done when it's done.
Just in case someone else doesn't know, because I didn't until I read the "e-forms 101" BATFE sent out, trusts and LLC can only self-file Form 1. Form 4 must still be filed by your dealer.
Who Can Submit An eForm 1 Or eForm 4
ATF has received a number of questions about the submis-sions of eForms 1 and 4 and who can do the submission. In general, an eForm 1 can be submitted by a legal entity, such as a trust, and an eForm 4 can be submitted by a Federal firearms licensee who has paid the special tax and registered for eForms. We have received the follow-ing questions about the process.
Can an FFL/SOT submit a Form 1 on behalf of a cus-tomer? No. The customer must set up his/her own account on eForms as the registration by the cus-tomer allows the customer to digitally sign the ap-plication. If the FFL/SOT submits the application, the application will be signed and attested to by the FFL/SOT who is not part of the legal entity.
Can a legal entity as transferee submit an eForm 4 application to transfer a firearm from his/her dealer? No. As noted above, an NFA transfer can only be submitted by an FFL who has paid the SOT to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearm and who has registered to use eForms. Further, the identification of the firearm to be transferred is done by selection from the FFL’s inventory – the
firearm information is not entered at the time of transfer. Finally, only the person to whom the firearm is registered may apply to transfer it. The transferee has no such standing to apply to transfer the firearm.
Can a non-FFL (individual, LLC, trust, etc.) sub-mit an eForm 4 to transfer a firearm? No. The eForms system is set up for an FFL who has paid the SOT to register. ATF will validate the license and special tax information and review the FFL’s NFA inventory before authorizing the FFL to use eForms.
I've never bothered to call on mine filed in May. I think calling just burdens the system more. It will be done when it's done.
Yea... I figured since my check was cashed, they got it. But curiosity got the best of me this morning and I wanted to verify the number was correct. :)
I always call, ONCE, a couple months after sending in a form to make sure my application has made it past the "cashing the check" phase (forms have been known the fall through the cracks between that and the pending phase).
If I have more than one form in, I wait a couple months until after the last app to call in order to kill multiple birds with one stone.
I think it's a good idea to call, but again, ONCE.
O2
Yep I just called on my Form 1 SBR and Form 4 Suppressor submitted back in Sept of last year. Both are pending and the expected approval dates are out in July and August so if those estimates hold true, my wait time from check cashing for paper forms will come out to 10 months.
Circuits
02-04-2014, 15:16
Just got a trust paper F4 in which was mailed late March 2013 - so right on about 10 months from first mailing date.
I'm hoping mid-march for both my form4 filed early May and e-form 1 submitted mid December. [AR15]
paddywagon
02-04-2014, 16:50
I just talked to the nfa branch today and they are quoting 9 months from pending on paper and 4 for efile.
I just talked to the nfa branch today and they are quoting 9 months from pending on paper and 4 for efile.
I'm assuming that is from pending?
paddywagon
02-04-2014, 22:31
I'm assuming that is from pending?
Yes from pending.
Yes from pending.
I think I need glasses. Well that would be about right then at 11 months total.
TheBelly
02-05-2014, 08:12
Transfer: eFile (trust)
Pending: 1 DEC 2013
Expected approval time: 4 months.
I was told this was the worst case scenario and that mine may take less time. eFile and trust seem to be the way to go these days, but we'll see what actually ends up happening.
Great-Kazoo
02-05-2014, 09:27
I think I need glasses. Well that would be about right then at 11 months total.
Yes for some time now, 11 months has been the standard.
Forms sent mid April 2013.
Pending Jun 2013.
Approved and at my dealer mid Feb 2014.
Near the finish line hopefully! Mine went pending in July 2013. I check the mail daily now, hoping that it shows up.
The Duke
02-21-2014, 14:37
I'm in the same boat as kwando. Mine went pending in July 2013. The wait has been killing me.
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