Before your suppressor is sent to Gears of Guns, you have three options to choose from:
Option 1: Contact Gears of Guns, and we will order the suppressor on your behalf and have it shipped to us.
Option 2: Purchase a suppressor from another source, and we can handle the paperwork for you. (Please note that a filing fee applies, and YOU must pay the full $200 TAX on the day we file.)
Option 3: Select Gears of Guns as your dealer on Silencershop.com. They will assist you with most of the paperwork, and we will schedule a phone call to finalize the process once the suppressor arrives at our shop.
If you choose Option 1 or 2, your next step is to decide whether to file as an “individual” or under a “trust.”
Need help deciding what works best for you? We’re here to assist!
Sales@gearsofguns.com
Filing as an Individual
- The NFA item (e.g., suppressor, short-barreled rifle) is registered solely in your name.
- No one else can legally possess or use the NFA item unless you are present.
- Requires fingerprint cards, a photograph, and notification to your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO).
- Simpler and often faster approval compared to a trust.
Filing as a Trust
- The NFA item is registered to the trust, not an individual.
- Multiple trustees (designated people in the trust) can legally possess and use the NFA item.
- Beneficiaries (heirs) can inherit the item without going through the standard NFA transfer process.
- Still requires fingerprint cards, photos, and CLEO notification for all responsible persons in the trust.
- Slightly more complex paperwork but allows more flexibility for shared ownership and inheritance.
Which One is Better?
- If you are the sole user and don’t need to share possession, filing as an individual is simpler and may get approved faster.
- If you want others to have access or want to plan for inheritance, a trust is a better option.
Let’s talk about filing as an individual:
Now that you’ve decided to file with Gears of Guns, there are a few steps we need to complete before moving forward.
Choosing Your Suppressor
First, you’ll need to decide which suppressor you want to order. If you already have one in mind, great! We can place the order right away. If you’re unsure about the caliber, size, or intended use, we’re here to help.
Atticus and Matt have a combined 20 years in the firearm industry, and suppressor technology has advanced significantly in recent years. We’ll help you find the best option for your needs.
Placing Your Order
Once you’ve selected your suppressor, we’ll send you a payment link covering both the suppressor cost and the required tax stamp. The tax stamp is a fee paid to the government for suppressor registration. It’s called a “stamp” because, historically, approvals were sent with a physical NFA stamp. Today, the stamp is digitally printed on your form.
Once we receive your full payment, we’ll place the order. Keep in mind, there will be a shipping delay due to government regulations requiring an additional form before the distributor can send the suppressor to our shop. While this doesn’t directly involve you, it explains why delivery may take longer than expected, even if the suppressor is shipping from nearby.
Filing as an Individual or a Trust
By default, we file as an individual. If you’d prefer to file under a trust, please refer to the “trust” section.
Required Documents
To proceed with your filing, we’ll need:
- A 2×2 inch passport-style photo to attach to your paperwork.
- Fingerprints – You can choose:
- Digital fingerprints (EFT file): These tend to speed up processing by 1-2 weeks since ATF agents receive them immediately. You’ll need to visit a third-party service to obtain them and email the EFT file to Sales@GearsofGuns.com.
- Ink fingerprints at our shop: We provide this service for free, but it may take longer since the ATF has to process the physical cards.
Creating an E-Form Account
You’ll need an E-Form account from eforms.atf.gov. When registering, you’ll be assigned a username (e.g., JSMITH123456) and must create a 4-digit PIN. Please remember both—your email is not your username.
Final Steps: Filing Your Paperwork
Once the suppressor arrives at our shop, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Atticus to complete the filing. Be sure to bring:
- Your passport photo
- Your EFT file (if applicable, emailed in advance)
- Your E-Form username & PIN
- About one hour of your time
After filing, all that’s left is to wait for approval! If you have any questions, we’re here to help.
Let’s talk about filing as a Trust:
Now that you’ve decided to file with Gears of Guns, there are a few steps we need to complete before moving forward.
Choosing Your Suppressor
First, you’ll need to decide which suppressor you want to order. If you already have one in mind, great! We can place the order right away. If you’re unsure about the caliber, size, or intended use, we’re here to help.
Atticus and Matt have a combined 20 years in the firearm industry, and suppressor technology has advanced significantly in recent years. We’ll help you find the best option for your needs.
Placing Your Order
Once you’ve selected your suppressor, we’ll send you a payment link covering both the suppressor cost and the required tax stamp. The tax stamp is a fee paid to the government for suppressor registration. It’s called a “stamp” because, historically, approvals were sent with a physical NFA stamp. Today, the stamp is digitally printed on your form.
Once we receive your full payment, we’ll place the order. Keep in mind, there will be a shipping delay due to government regulations requiring an additional form before the distributor can send the suppressor to our shop. While this doesn’t directly involve you, it explains why delivery may take longer than expected, even if the suppressor is shipping from nearby.
Creating your trust
Gears of Guns can create a trust for you. There is a fee for this service.
If you already have an existing trust, we will need a complete copy with all signatures and notarization.
All individuals listed on the trust must provide a photo, fingerprints, and a completed ATF Form 5320.23 (download here). The required sections to fill out include:
- Questions: 2, 3(a, b, c, d, f, g, h, i), 6A-M.2, 7 (if applicable), 8, and 9(a, b, c).
- Additionally, the form must be signed and dated when submitted.
Required Documents
To proceed with your filing, we’ll need:
- A 2×2 inch passport-style photo to attach to your paperwork.
- Fingerprints – You can choose:
- Digital fingerprints (EFT file): These tend to speed up processing by 1-2 weeks since ATF agents receive them immediately. You’ll need to visit a third-party service to obtain them and email the EFT file to Sales@GearsofGuns.com.
- Ink fingerprints at our shop: We provide this service for free, but it may take longer since the ATF has to process the physical cards.
- Completed trust
Creating an E-Form Account
You’ll need an E-Form account from eforms.atf.gov. When registering, you’ll be assigned a username (e.g., JSMITH123456) and must create a 4-digit PIN. Please remember both—your email is not your username.
Final Steps: Filing Your Paperwork
Once the suppressor arrives at our shop, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Atticus to complete the filing. Be sure to bring:
- Your passport photo
- Your Completed Trust
- Your EFT file (if applicable, emailed in advance)
- Your E-Form username & PIN
- About one hour of your time
After filing, all that’s left is to wait for approval! If you have any questions, we’re here to help.