![\"NFA\"](\"https:\/\/monachuslex.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/NFA.gif\")
Current ATF regulations require individual applicants to get sign-off from their local chief law-enforcment officer (CLEO). \u00a0This is known colloquially as the \u2018CLEO Sign-off.\u2019<\/p>\nCurrent ATF regulations require individual applicants to get sign-off from their local chief law-enforcment officer (CLEO). \u00a0This is known colloquially as the \u2018CLEO Sign-off.\u2019<\/p>\n
In many jurisdictions, the CLEO will not sign the form and this acts as an effective ban on the acquisition in defiance of the intent of the National Firearms Act (NFA).<\/p>\n
This is one of the reason that many people turn to\u00a0NFA trusts<\/a>. Trust applicants as well as other non-individual applicants such as corporate entities do not need CLEO Sign-off and this allows those in jurisdictions where the CLEO is anti-gun to still purchase NFA items.<\/p>\n Additionally, under current ATF regulations, trust applicants\u00a0do not need to be fingerprinted nor do they need to submit photographs.<\/p>\n The ATF however has proposed a rule change that they say would do three things:<\/p>\n 1) \u00a0It would eliminate the need for a CLEO sign-off for individual applicants;<\/p>\n 2) \u00a0It would instead require that a copy of the application be forwarded to the CLEO in the jurisdiction where the applicant is located for all applicants; and<\/p>\n 3) \u00a0It would require fingerprints and photographs of every “responsible person” in a trust or corporate entity be sent when the applicant is not an individual in order to standardize these requirements.<\/p>\n Several people have told me that they had heard this means NFA trusts will no longer be beneficial. \u00a0That is not true. Avoidance of the CLEO Sign-off ban is only one of the\u00a0many benefits<\/a>\u00a0that a properly structured NFA trust gives you.<\/p>\n In addition, this is merely a\u00a0proposed<\/em>\u00a0rule. \u00a0We do not have any final text yet and when (or if) that is released, it will will trigger a round of public notice and comment. \u00a0The proposed rule is not scheduled for action until July of this year and I will update you if there are any changes at that time.<\/p>\n I should also mention that the proposed rule may be simply allowed to languish without any action being taken.<\/p>\n In short, no one should be postponing their NFA acquisitions based upon this proposal.<\/p>\n To read the proposed rule in its entirety, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Current ATF regulations require individual applicants to get sign-off from their local chief law-enforcment officer (CLEO). \u00a0This is known colloquially as the \u2018CLEO Sign-off.\u2019 In many jurisdictions, the CLEO will not sign the form and this acts as an effective … Continue reading