ATF Tech Branch reference samples

[Trent]

I was poking around through ATF approval letters for a few semi builds I own and noticed in one, they mention comparing measurements to a 'reference sample' DSHK. (I own an approved semiauto build of a DSHK).

That got me pondering... Does the ATF have a warehouse full of exotic machineguns somewhere??

And do they give tours?

 

[Aaron Baker]

While I don't know the answer for sure, it wouldn't surprise me in the least. The ATF is a large law enforcement agency that has been operating for a long time. I know for certain that the Kentucky State Police keep reference firearms for use by their central lab technicians for bullet testing. I believe the vast majority of these were seized from criminals over the years. The ATF would have an even easier time amassing a significant and varied collection.

The Kentucky State Police lab gives tours, at least to some attorneys, so who knows? Maybe the ATF gives tours if you have the right connections.

Aaron

 

[4thPointOfContact]

I've been told that they have samples of all 'approved' firearms produced or imported (no confirmation though) and all 'samples' submitted to the ATF for approval.



The Firearms Technology Branch (FTB) provides expert technical support to ATF, other Federal agencies, State and local law enforcement, the firearms industry, Congress, and the general public. FTB is responsible for rendering opinions regarding the classification of suspected illegal firearms and newly designed firearms. FTB maintains an extensive firearms reference collection, as well as technical firearms reference files and library and firearms databases. This Branch is also responsible for the technical determination concerning types of firearms approved for importation into the United States. Further, FTB provides the U.S. Department of Justice, State prosecutors’ offices, district attorneys’ offices, and military courts with expert firearms testimony. This testimony includes the identification and origin of firearms and other matters relating to firearms and the firearms industry.
Mission

The mission of the Firearms Technology Branch is to serve as ATF’s technical authority relating to firearms and their classification under Federal laws, to respond to law enforcement agencies requests to test, evaluate, and provide expert testimony on firearms and ammunition, and to provide technical services to the firearms industry and other members of the public.

FTB support to the firearms industry and general public includes the following areas:

Responses to technical inquiries.
Testing and classification of products submitted.
Curios or Relics (C&R) determinations (see C&R page prior to submitting a C&R inquiry).
Import evaluations.

Contact Information

Firearms Technology Branch

244 Needy Road Martinsburg, West Virginia 25405 USA

Voice: (304) 616-4300

Or:

E-mail address: [email protected]

Or:

Fax number: (304) 616-4301

 

[Triangle 66]

The ATF maintains an extensive collection of firearms, there are videos and articles about the collection, here is MPR's glimpse:

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2011/03/22/atf-gun-library

 

[Trent]

Whoa. Thanks Triangle.

That's a fantastic article - exactly what I was looking for.

Going through there would be like a kid going through DisneyLand for the first time.

They'd have to drag me out kicking and screaming. "But I don't WANNA go home!"

 

[Willie Sutton]

That got me pondering... Does the ATF have a warehouse full of exotic machineguns somewhere??

Yes.

The two most complete firearms collections in the world are the Pattern Room, Enfield, and the BATFE Reference Collection. Of the two the BATFE has a larger collection of modern firearms.


Willie

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[MikieG]

Yup. William Atwater is the curator of the collection.

 

[Jim K]

AFAIK, there is no requirement for anyone to submit a sample to BATFE before manufacturing a firearm. The manufacturer of a firearm, like the manufacturer of anything else, is expected to know the law and obey it.

If there is any doubt about the legality or status of a proposed firearm or product, they will reply to questions, and may ask that a sample be sent. The most common request is as to status (machinegun, NFA firearm). I believe any samples submitted are returned unless doing so would violate the law.

Jim

 

[medalguy]

Did anyone notice this little gem in the NPR story?

Many gun stores don't stay in business long, because the Tracing Center receives an average of 1.2 million paper records every month.

The records, each of which must be scanned into an ATF computer, come to the tracing center in brown boxes that are stacked along a wall. It takes a staff of 100 people working two shifts five days a week -- from 6 a.m. to midnight -- to keep up.

Interesting-- they scan what I suppose are 4473s into a computer. I've been wondering about this.

 

[Midwest]

Did anyone notice this little gem in the NPR story?

Many gun stores don't stay in business long, because the Tracing Center receives an average of 1.2 million paper records every month.

The records, each of which must be scanned into an ATF computer, come to the tracing center in brown boxes that are stacked along a wall. It takes a staff of 100 people working two shifts five days a week -- from 6 a.m. to midnight -- to keep up.

Interesting-- they scan what I suppose are 4473s into a computer. I've been wondering about this.

Interesting that the ATF has the manpower to process that much..yet they make people wait 10 months for a NFA stamp.

Anyway I think some of us suspected that the ATF was scanning 4473's from defunct gun stores into a computer...this story seems to confirm it. People should be upset over this as it amounts to gun registration. Once it is in the computer, anything could be cross referenced.
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