NFA weapons and living in Austin

[Capybara]

Hi:

I presently live in California and I can't wait to get out of here. It will be a while because of wife and kid factors but I am starting to research where I may want to move to and firearm laws will play a significant role in our decision where to move. Wife has mentioned that she likes Austin and would consider moving there.

Can anyone here who lives or has lived in Austin tell me if the CLEO there is amenable to signing Form 4s for residents or do most of you in Texas have NFA trusts to own fun stuff like machine guns and suppressors?

My only knowledge about the process is about having an NFA trust in California but I just can't get excited about owning a Serbu or other AOW. Fun, but I don't think i would shoot it often enough to justify the expense. But at least I researched the whole NFA trust thing and understand how it works.

Also on the menu are Arizona and Utah, I like them as well as Austin, but time will tell where we end up.

Thanks for any input on this.

 

[wally]

Its easy to set up a Trust in Texas. Austin being the most like California-like of any part of Texas, I'd be amazed if you can get a sign off done there.

Houston has always been near impossible, although I've heard, (but not verified, I've a Trust now) that our new Democratic DA will sign when none of her Republican predecessors would (unless you had the political juice to make it happen as my first wife's grandfather did to let me get my Thompson SMG).

 

[p2000sk]

Having a properly executed trust established to own your NFA items is better that ownership as an individual in my opinion because the trust allows you to do things that you otherwise could not, such as loaning out an NFA item to a person that you temporarily name in the trust.

 

[waterhouse]

The sheriff in Travis county (or his assistant) will gladly sign anything you bring (or mail) in.

 

[Capybara]

Interesting waterhouse, that's good to know. If I do end up moving to Texas, an M11, Uzi, and about half a dozen suppressors and an SBR will follow quickly. I'll be broke, but happy and enjoying my freedom.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Austin CLEO signs off and Austin in general is super NFA friendly. I've done Form 4 as an individual for two cans.

 

[HankB]

I don't have any NFA items myself, but I know that at least two suburban gun shops I've visited in the Austin area do business in NFA items, stocking suppressors, full autos (How about a twin-mount .50 ?) . . . even a 20mm cannon. (Where you'd shoot THAT locally, I've no idea!)

On the other hand, I've heard that in at least one of the suburbs, the police chief will no longer sign off on suppressors - the rumor is that some idiot used one to shoot a dog.

 

[Walther P99]

I would definitely look into setting up a trust anyway since you also avoid the photos and fingerprinting. There is a large cash outlay up front to set it up, but after that you're good to go.

I live in Comal County which is just south of Austin and the sheriff there will not sign..

 

[Capybara]

I am contemplating setting up an NFA Trust here in California, I won't be moving to Texas or anywhere else for a while. Does anyone know if NFA trusts are state specific or if you have one, does it function in all states? Probably a lawyer question but thought I would ask here in case anyone has been through the same experience?

 

[wally]

There is a large cash outlay up front to set it up

Not necessarily, we have a prepaid legal plan at work, they did my Trust, didn't cost me any extra over what I pay to have the mundane legal matters handled. It may be more complicated in other states, but in Texas its a routine document less complicated than a lot of wills. Lots of folks use Quicken or Legal Zoom.

I've done both routes and the Trust is worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of photos and fingerprints on each transaction.

 

[JustinJ]

The Travis county CLEO signs but the far more conservative Williamson county won't. Austin is in Travis and bordered by Williamson to the North.

 

[cheesebigot]

JustinJ pretty much has it nailed.

If you want to flex some 2A muscle, Travis county is definitely the place to do it. Williamson County (north of Travis) administration is always an uphill battle in the snow.

 

[dogbaloo]

IMO....

Just go trust. Our state laws make it VERY easy to form a trust. One doesn't even need to register it with the sec. of state. Just form it, notorize it...and you're off to the races.

I built a trust last year and had no issues with getting through for my NFA toys.

 

[Capybara]

Thanks guys. Now I just need to sell the wife on Austin.

 

[greyling22]

I35 in austin is a parking lot. live somewhere else.

 

[medalguy]

Look around Round Rock or Georgetown. Nice area.

 

[dprice3844444]

no sign off neded with trust.

 

[Guillermo]

Concerning NFA Trusts, the way I understand it, please correct me if I am wrong, there is no fingerprinting and background check, therefore it goes more quickly.

Is this correct?

Thank you

G

 

[wally]

No fingerprint or photos for a trust, IMHO this makes it the way to go if you are doing more than one NFA itrem. I'm pretty sure they run background checks on the names of the trustees.

It definitely does not go any more quickly.

 

[Guillermo]

When u add someone to the trust, does the ATF get informed?

 

[medalguy]

No. You can add or delete names as you wish. The only time you send in the trust is when you buy something new.

 

[Collector0311]

I'm a displaced Austinite as well. Also living in Cali. Oddly enough, the guy that was mentioned as shooting a dog with a suppressed weapon goes to my church haha I used to date his daughter. Good thing I stayed on his good side!
Cant wait to get home and flex my freedom with some new big boy toys.

On a separate note, I'll be honorably discharged from the Marines in two months. Some buddies of mine,who have gotten out already and began their application processes for suppressors have said that they've been much more closely scrutinized being former military/infantrymen. Has anyone else seen this to be the case? Should I be worried about getting the run around?

 

[LeonCarr]

It saddens me that the current Sheriff of Williamson County, a retired Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety and fellow Sam Houston Bearkat, won't sign a Form 4.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Flynt]

If you form a trust, is it like a limited liability company or partnership, which requires filing a IRS tax return April 15?

 

[Prince Yamato]

No. A trust is basically like a will. You need to be able to put 2-3 other people on it. One to be heir to your weapons if you die, the other to be heir if both people die and/or a person who will decide what to do with your guns should you become incapacitated.