Recently Arsenal Attorneys™ sat down with an ATF officer with 15 years of experience, and we discussed two rumors concerning 41F--the new rules for registering NFA firearms (silencers/suppressors, short barrel rifles, etc.) commencing July 13. Both rumors involve grace periods.

The first rumor concerns whether the fingerprinting and photographs required by 41F will be waived for applications made within 24 months of the applicant's last application to register an NFA firearm. Although ATF announced this policy in its own official statement on 41F published in the Federal Register, they have broken their promise. All new applications to register NFA firearms under 41F, starting July 13, 2016, must include the fingerprints and photographs of each responsible person at the time of the application.  

The second rumor appears to have no basis in fact whatsoever. Our source told us there is a rumor claiming there will be a six-month grace period after July 13 during which ATF will accept applications without fingerprints and photographs. This is false. 

Because of 41F, we recommend you submit applications to register NFA firearms before July 13; however the world will not come to end on that date. The new version of our Arsenal Gun Trust™ will minimize the effects of 41F and allow you to enjoy optimal security and privacy for your gun collection. Therefore our clients will continue to enjoy the opportunity to register new NFA firearms, allow possession by others, and provide an estate plan for their collection. 

To request an Arsenal Gun Trust™, complete our online questionnaire. 

Arsenal Attorneys™ is perhaps the only law firm offering direct attorney-client relationships for the creation of a gun trust for NFA firearms. We use no middle man, so you know who is responsible for the work. You and your successors will likely have the opportunity to seek our support in the future even if you relocate to another state, which would be an entirely different jurisdiction with its own laws. Not only is the Arsenal Gun Trust™ designed to be portable and valid in other states, subject to local gun laws, but our national law practice could be there just when you need us.

Our law firm provides a variety of other services, including general estate planning, business services, criminal defense, and civil litigation. While we serve a variety of clients, we are renowned for our solutions tailored for the special needs of gun owners and the firearms industry. We represent many new and growing businesses in the firearms industry, including gun ranges and manufacturers. Arsenal Attorneys™ has also served as the general counsel for a presidential campaign. Please consider us when you face a new opportunity to pursue or an emerging problem to solve.

If you're located in metropolitan Washington, DC, watch for details of special events organized by our law firm. Our "Essentials of Self-Defense Law Seminar" is very popular and takes place at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. We also lead the organizing committee of the "National Capital Friends of NRA", whose banquet at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia raises money for educational programs.

To request more information about our services and upcoming events, review our webiste or use our contact form.

Trusts are created based on state law. Generally speaking, a valid trust will be valid in all states. A trust would be interpreted based on the governing law chosen in the trust, which is almost always the law of the state where the trust maker resided when he created the trust. Sometimes a trust maker is required to use his own state's law. In other cases a trust maker can use another state's law. Other state laws might be desirable, particularly to maximize the duration of the trust.    

While a gun trust would be subject to its governing law, local firearms laws must always be obeyed wherever firearms from the trust are located.

Sometimes people ask if they can create a trust in another state to be subject to that state's firearms laws. Regardless of what state law is used to create a trust, a person must always obey the laws, and particulalry firearms laws, in the jurisdiction where they are personally located. Thus a trustee may act on behalf of a trust to obtain NFA firearms like silencers/suppressor or short barrel rifles (SBR), but only where he personally has the legal right to transfer or make those firearms. 

It's important to discuss these issues with a multi-state law practice focusing on these matters. Arsenal Attorneys is perhaps the only law firm offering direct attorney-client relationships for gun trust matters in about 40 states, which means we don't use a middle man. Consequently you will know who is responsible for the legal work performed in creating your NFA gun trust, and you will also know who to contact when you have questions.

You and your successors will likely have the opportunity to seek our support in the future even if you relocate to another state, which would be an entirely different jurisdiction with its own laws. Not only is the Arsenal Gun Trust™ designed to be portable and valid in other states, subject to local gun laws, but our national law practice could be there just when you need us.

Our law firm provides a variety of other services, including general estate planning, business services, criminal defense, and civil litigation. While we serve a variety of clients, we are renowned for our solutions tailored for the special needs of gun owners and the firearms industry. We represent many new and growing businesses in the firearms industry, including gun ranges and manufacturers. Arsenal Attorneys™ has also served as the general counsel for a presidential campaign. Please consider us when you face a new opportunity to pursue or an emerging problem to solve.

If you're located in metropolitan Washington, DC, watch for details of special events organized by our law firm. Our "Essentials of Self-Defense Law Seminar" is very popular and takes place at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. We also lead the organizing committee of the "National Capital Friends of NRA", whose banquet at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia raises money for educational programs. To request more information about our services and upcoming events, review our webiste or use our contact form.

Recent testimonial from an Arsenal Attorneys client following the delivery of his Arsenal Gun Trust with Turnkey Package:

I have received my E-Mail packet and would like to thank you and your staff for providing such an excellent product. This Trust is everything and more than I expected. You and your firm have certainly lived up to all the great reviews and comments on numerous NFA related forums.  Again, Thank You for the great product. Looking forward to receiving my notary ready product so I may complete my first NFA purchase.

We're grateful for the opportunity to peform this work for our clients. 

Every person concerned with his or her personal safety needs to understand the law of self-defense because unjustified use of force is a crime.  If you're a gun owner, or you want a greater understanding of the law and the legal system, attend Arsenal Attorneys' seminar, "The Essentials of Self-Defense," taking place on Sunday, June 5 at 6pm, at the headquarters of the National Rifle Association in Fairfax, Virginia.  

You may register for the course using this link.

We are proud to have this seminar sponsored by our friends at Iron Sight Solutions and F3 Tactical.  Ironsight Solutions are firearms instructors teaching beginning to advanced skills for gun owners.  They offer training to qualify you for concealed carry permits in Virginia and Utah as well as the HR-218 qualification for law enforcement officers.  F3 Tactical is the premier supplier of tactical gear and a hub for the tactical community, professionals and civilians alike.  

Our team of lawyer-instructors from Arsenal Attorneys will include criminal defense attorneys, a former prosecutor, a former law enforcement officer, and a certified firearms instructor.  

The seminar will first present the law of self-defense then illustrate the finer points of the law using real life cases.  The agenda will also include an overview of the criminal justice system so you'll understand the players and the process.  

We'll also answer your questions, and, due to popular demand, we'll provide you insights for determining the possible value of various self-defense insurance or pre-paid legal programs.

This event will take place in the training classroom attached to the NRA Range at NRA Headquarters at 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Virginia.  Space is limited and advanced registration is required.  

For questions, contact Arsenal Attorneys at 703-291-8838 or register now at this link.

 Register Now 

Previously we reported the case of the Can Cannon produced by X Products LLC. It launches soda cans using a device attached to an AR-15 lower receiver. It uses blank 5.56 NATO cartridges for the necessary propulsion. Initially ATF provided X Products written assurances that its Can Cannon was not a firearm. Thousands of Can Cannons were sold with ATF's written statement attached. Then, on August 26, 2015, ATF reversed itself by claiming the Can Cannon was in fact a firearm because the chamber which contains the blank cartridge had an opening at the front. Because the "barrel" of the Can Cannon was less than 16", ATF said that such a firearm was a short barrel rifle subject to the NFA.

Customers who had already purchased the Can Cannon easily could have been unaware of the change in ATF policy. Their failure to comply with the applicable NFA rules could place them in danger of committing a felony.

Now ATF has reversed themselves again because of a minor change by X Products in the design of the Can Cannon. The small opening that had made the item a “firearm” has since been fixed with a permanently welded block. Thus the Can Cannon no longer must be registered as a short barrel under the NFA because it is no longer a firearm in the first place.

The experience of X Products with its Can Cannon underlines the importance of monitoring ever changing firearms regulations. Arsenal Attorneys provides clients guidance to help them comply with gun laws, and our Arsenal Gun Trust solution is particularly designed to help clients' loved ones and successors comply with gun laws when they inherit our client's firearms.  Our firm also helps firearms dealers (FFLs), firearms instructors, and manufacturers in the firearms industry reduce their risks and succeed in business. With attorneys in over 40 states, we're ready to address your firearms-related goals and concerns.  Contact us today to discuss your legal matters.