New Suppressor and Existing Trust

[MoscowMike]

I’ve been learning things about suppressors and firearms trusts. Pretty basic stuff, but I thought I would pass it on in case anyone here is thinking about it.

A few years back I built a Form 1 suppressor and decided to create a firearms trust so other folks could use it and I could add other NFA items down the road. Being cheap, rather than hiring a lawyer I used an online service, The Trust Shop. Went well, they provided a nice set of reduced and laminated documents to keep with the suppressor.

This year I took possession of another suppressor, buying it through The Silencer Shop, and referencing my existing trust. As the trust name was on the paperwork, I wondered if it was automagically added to the trust, so I asked The Trust Shop if I could see a list of items assigned to the trust online.

Nope, they don’t keep that sort of information where it’s visible, only on a secure server they have to access off-line. Only the first suppressor was currently on the list, not too surprisingly, so I used their web site to add it. No problem.

So - even if you use your trust name when buying an NFA item, remember to go through the process of adding it to the trust when you take possession of the item. The Trust Shop folks suggested adding it when you apply for the tax stamp, but that strikes me as strange because until things are approved you have no guarantee you will get it.

If you do take possession and do NOT go through the process of adding it to the trust, seems to me that your NFA item would be in some sort of legal limbo, not a good idea.

Again, probably pretty basic stuff for those of you who have done this before, but I thought it might save some questions for someone who is just starting.

 

[Elkins45]

I’ve been learning things about suppressors and firearms trusts. Pretty basic stuff, but I thought I would pass it on in case anyone here is thinking about it.

A few years back I built a Form 1 suppressor and decided to create a firearms trust so other folks could use it and I could add other NFA items down the road. Being cheap, rather than hiring a lawyer I used an online service, The Trust Shop. Went well, they provided a nice set of reduced and laminated documents to keep with the suppressor.

This year I took possession of another suppressor, buying it through The Silencer Shop, and referencing my existing trust. As the trust name was on the paperwork, I wondered if it was automagically added to the trust, so I asked The Trust Shop if I could see a list of items assigned to the trust online.

Nope, they don’t keep that sort of information where it’s visible, only on a secure server they have to access off-line. Only the first suppressor was currently on the list, not too surprisingly, so I used their web site to add it. No problem.

So - even if you use your trust name when buying an NFA item, remember to go through the process of adding it to the trust when you take possession of the item. The Trust Shop folks suggested adding it when you apply for the tax stamp, but that strikes me as strange because until things are approved you have no guarantee you will get it.

If you do take possession and do NOT go through the process of adding it to the trust, seems to me that your NFA item would be in some sort of legal limbo, not a good idea.

Again, probably pretty basic stuff for those of you who have done this before, but I thought it might save some questions for someone who is just starting.

I think it depends on how your trust is written. The items owned by my trust are listed on a separate schedule, not in the body of the trust document itself.

 

[GoldieMI]

I think it depends on how your trust is written. The items owned by my trust are listed on a separate schedule, not in the body of the trust document itself.

+1

 

[dogtown tom]

I’ve been learning things about suppressors and firearms trusts. Pretty basic stuff, but I thought I would pass it on in case anyone here is thinking about it.

A few years back I built a Form 1 suppressor and decided to create a firearms trust so other folks could use it and I could add other NFA items down the road. Being cheap, rather than hiring a lawyer I used an online service, The Trust Shop. Went well, they provided a nice set of reduced and laminated documents to keep with the suppressor.

This year I took possession of another suppressor, buying it through The Silencer Shop, and referencing my existing trust. As the trust name was on the paperwork, I wondered if it was automagically added to the trust, so I asked The Trust Shop if I could see a list of items assigned to the trust online.

Nope, they don’t keep that sort of information where it’s visible, only on a secure server they have to access off-line. Only the first suppressor was currently on the list, not too surprisingly, so I used their web site to add it. No problem.

So - even if you use your trust name when buying an NFA item, remember to go through the process of adding it to the trust when you take possession of the item. The Trust Shop folks suggested adding it when you apply for the tax stamp, but that strikes me as strange because until things are approved you have no guarantee you will get it.

If you do take possession and do NOT go through the process of adding it to the trust, seems to me that your NFA item would be in some sort of legal limbo, not a good idea.

Again, probably pretty basic stuff for those of you who have done this before, but I thought it might save some questions for someone who is just starting.

When you submitted your Form 4 for the new silencer, using your existing trust, nothing else is required. The trust was the applicant, you the Responsible Person. No one at ATF will ever ask to see your list of NFA firearms possessed under a trust.

Thats because they already have that list.

I've never heard of "The Trust Shop" and unless you tell them, they would have no way to know you purchased another silencer.

 

[MoscowMike]

Yup, the issue I wanted to bring up is that when you purchase a suppressor using a trust, you need to remember to take the next step and add it to the trust yourself. That makes perfect sense when you have gone through it, but if I had the question, others might. Whether it’s in the body or a separate schedule, the ATF may show the trust as the applicant but until you have added the item to the trust there is a legal disconnect.
I have no idea how much of a headache that would be when trying to settle an estate if the trust list doesn’t include everything, so don’t leave it hanging.

 

[AlexanderA]

I've never heard of "The Trust Shop" and unless you tell them, they would have no way to know you purchased another silencer.

It looks like they are providing "cloud storage" of the trust records. Bad idea. What happens if they go out of business?

Always keep (and maintain, in the sense of keeping them up to date), your own records.

 

[dogtown tom]

It looks like they are providing "cloud storage" of the trust records. Bad idea. What happens if they go out of business?

Always keep (and maintain, in the sense of keeping them up to date), your own records.

I agree.