What is an NFA Firearm?

The following are considered NFA Firearms:

Silencers: A silencer or suppressor is any device that is used to muffle or diminish the sound of a gunshot on a portable firearm. This also includes any parts used to build a silencer or suppressor. Examples: Gemtech MIST25, AAC Element 4, YHM Sidewinder. 42 States permit silencer ownership, including Maryland!

Machine Guns: According to the NFA, a machine gun is defined as “[a]ny weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.” This definition includes any frame, receiver, or parts to make a machine gun. The State of Iowa does not allow machine guns. Examples: AK-47 rifle, M16 rifle, M4A1 rifle.

Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR): A rifle is a shouldered firearm that has spiral grooves inside the gun barrel and can fire one bullet at a time. A short-barreled rifle has a barrel of fewer than 16 inches or an overall length of fewer than 26 inches, as defined by the NFA. This also includes any weapon made from a rifle that is of the same dimensions. The stock must be extended on folding stock rifles when measuring the length. Pistols with shoulder stocks may be considered short-barreled rifles if they meet other requirements. Check with experts like those at Wendl’s Weapons if you are unsure about your firearm. Examples: semiautomatic Glock pistol with shoulder stock, Wilson Combat SBR Tactical rifle, sawed-off rifles. Please note: Maryland has specific regulations on SBR that differ from federal law.

Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBS): An SBS is any shotgun having a barrel less than 18 inches long, or any weapon made from a shotgun that is less than 26 inches long. A shotgun is a shoulder-fired, smooth bore firearm. Examples: H&K Fabarm FP6, Seraphim Armoury 9″ SBS, customized “sawed-off” shotguns.

Any Other Weapon (AOW): This is a miscellaneous weapons category. According to the NFA, an AOW is ” any weapon or device capable of being concealed on a person from which a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive.” Examples: a cane gun, a pen gun, pistol with a forward grip.
What is the purchase process?

To purchase a silencer you must:

• Reside in one of the 42 states that currently allow civilian ownership… Maryland is one of them!
• Be a resident of the United States.
• Be legally eligible to purchase a firearm.
• Pass a BATFE background check.
• Be at least 21 years of age to purchase from a dealer.

You will need to complete the eForm 4 either as an individual or trust. Which entity you choose to purchase under is up to you, but we recommend getting qualified advice from a knowledgeable source, such as an attorney who is well-versed in NFA law.

Current Average ATF Processing Times for NFA Applications