Form Copy w/NFA?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

OKCShooter

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 11, 2009
Messages
3,512
Reaction score
1,105
Location
Edmond, OK
I know that most people make a copy of the Form to carry with the weapon, but what a PITA...

So, I was thinking about an easier way. Does anyone simply scan the form (front and back) and save the image online? I would also save a 'copy' on my iPhone. If anyone asked for the paperwork on my Class III, I could show the scanned image and if for some reason they wanted a physical copy, it could be printed off. Would this work? I just know that I woud inevitably forget to keep the form with me at all times...

Also, has anyone ever been stopped at a range or wherever and asked by LE to show their form?

TIA
 

CAR-AR-M16

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
Sep 6, 2005
Messages
5,821
Reaction score
307
Location
Duncan
I know that most people make a copy of the Form to carry with the weapon, but what a PITA...

So, I was thinking about an easier way. Does anyone simply scan the form (front and back) and save the image online? I would also save a 'copy' on my iPhone. If anyone asked for the paperwork on my Class III, I could show the scanned image and if for some reason they wanted a physical copy, it could be printed off. Would this work? I just know that I woud inevitably forget to keep the form with me at all times...

Also, has anyone ever been stopped at a range or wherever and asked by LE to show their form?

TIA

Don't know about the digital copy on your phone, but as far as your second question goes, I have been into NFA since the early 90's and have had LE either at the range or called to the range by some "know-it-all" who thought my stuff was illegal. I have only been asked to show my paperwork one single time.
 

gmtmaster

Marksman
Special Hen
Joined
Dec 16, 2010
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
Location
USA
I know that most people make a copy of the Form to carry with the weapon, but what a PITA...

So, I was thinking about an easier way. Does anyone simply scan the form (front and back) and save the image online? I would also save a 'copy' on my iPhone. If anyone asked for the paperwork on my Class III, I could show the scanned image and if for some reason they wanted a physical copy, it could be printed off. Would this work? I just know that I woud inevitably forget to keep the form with me at all times...

Also, has anyone ever been stopped at a range or wherever and asked by LE to show their form?

TIA

So you carry ammo right? magazines? How is carrying a piece of paper a pain? Photocopy the form and laminate it, keep it in the gun case etc...

BTW... Not ONE Time have I ever been asked to show paperwork, but I have a copy just in case.
 

OKCShooter

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 11, 2009
Messages
3,512
Reaction score
1,105
Location
Edmond, OK
So you carry ammo right? magazines? How is carrying a piece of paper a pain? Photocopy the form and laminate it, keep it in the gun case etc...

BTW... Not ONE Time have I ever been asked to show paperwork, but I have a copy just in case.

It's a pain because its something to remember that I would normally not be thinking about... and if I do forget to have it on me, I have now uploaded a digital copy onto my phone and onto my photobucket so that I can easily show it.

I saw nothing that says that the copy of the form cannot be digital, so at worse, I would have to print it out.
 

Jerryinokc

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
155
Reaction score
3
Location
Oklahoma City
I was at the range Sunday and watched an employee ask to see papers of a shooter in the lane next to me. Not to be a smart@@s, but if you're going to play with big boy guns, how hard is it to simply print one and stick it in the case? Half the time it takes to follow this thread and you could be done.

I'm all for the tech angle, myself, but if you have to print one out, that would be a hassle. Good luck either way; seems like a lot of fun to shoot those types of weapons.
 

ratski

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Nov 3, 2006
Messages
3,718
Reaction score
895
Location
Lawton
It's a pain because its something to remember that I would normally not be thinking about... and if I do forget to have it on me, I have now uploaded a digital copy onto my phone and onto my photobucket so that I can easily show it.

I saw nothing that says that the copy of the form cannot be digital, so at worse, I would have to print it out.

I see nothing wrong with your idea as a backup. However, I've been in plenty of places that have neither cell phone access or access to a printer.

And as fare as it being something to remember, if you can remember it is a Class III firearm, you should be able to remember to take your paperwork.

I handle it two ways normally. I scan my form 4s. I print them out and laminate them. Then they go into a book. Title of the book is Class III Paperwork, Machine Guns and Suppressors. (I don't have any Shorties, errr.....) when I go anywhere with ANY of my Class III stuff, the book goes in the truck.

I also have duplicate laminated copies of the Class III stuff I use most often. Like my Uzi. Those go into the gun case when I am packing it with the gun.

I also have a laminated form in the safe that is my "Range Checklist". Stuff that over the years I have forgotten once and don't want to forget again. Paperwork is listed.

And yes, I've been asked multiple times to show my paperwork. Mainly at a range. I've take a few courses that were put on by LEOs at their ranges, and even though they know me, I always show them my paperwork. Even though they have seen it before and have fired my weapons before. Out of respect for them, their job and their careers. It is sort of like clearing a firearm before handing it to someone to look at. It becomes habit.


Dave
 

Fyrtwuck

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
9,959
Reaction score
2,921
Location
Blanchard
I took all of mine to Kinkos and made multiple copies and had then laminated. I just put a copy of everything I own in several different gun cases and leave them there. Don't have to worry about what form or item is in what case.

I've never been asked to show mine. There are discussions on different forums about this same topic. Basically, there are two ways the situation could go.

1. The tax stamps and Forms are Tax documents and confidential information and the only people authorized to ask for them is either IRS or BATFE. At this point you could them them to go away, but at the same time, if you are shooting on their range, they could tell YOU to go away.

2. Let them see the copies. Most of the people who ask for them probably don't know what the forms look like anyway. I admit when I was an officer, I never saw a form or knew anything about NFA or NFA procedures till I bought my first machinegun. Also, if you talk with them for a minute, you'll see their eyes get wider, start drooling and eventually they'll ask to shoot it and then they're hooked. After that, they'll tell all their friends and it grows from there. A little education, time and a few bullets goes a long way.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom