bikemutt
Member
A good friend (M) recounted a story to me concerning his recent contact with a NPS Ranger while plinking with his SBR on US Forest Service land. The Ranger asked him how long the barrel is to which M replied 10". Ranger told him the weapon is an SBR and asked to see the ATF paperwork. M told him the paperwork is at home in his safe. Ranger advises that he can in fact confiscate the rifle until he sees proof it's lawfully registered. After some negotiation the details of which I'm not privy to, Ranger records all the relevant information such as M's identification, the weapon's make, model and serial number, and agrees to let M keep the weapon go about his day. He finishes by advising M he will be contacting ATF to verify lawful status of SBR and, should M's story not pan out, to expect a knock on his door.
M believes that he's only required to show his NFA paperwork to an ATF agent. I explained to him that I always carry a reduced copy of my stamps in my wallet precisely because of situations like this, he agreed that's a good idea and plans to do the same or similar.
The $6M question remains though; is the NPS Ranger correct that he could confiscate the SBR until poof of lawful possession is furnished? And, is failure to have NFA paperwork while transporting an NFA item a crime in itself, regardless of who in law enforcement may be asking to see it?
M believes that he's only required to show his NFA paperwork to an ATF agent. I explained to him that I always carry a reduced copy of my stamps in my wallet precisely because of situations like this, he agreed that's a good idea and plans to do the same or similar.
The $6M question remains though; is the NPS Ranger correct that he could confiscate the SBR until poof of lawful possession is furnished? And, is failure to have NFA paperwork while transporting an NFA item a crime in itself, regardless of who in law enforcement may be asking to see it?