FOIA for a NFA item?

[Texas]

Has anybody ever sent in a freedom of information act request to see a bit more of the history of their NFA item?  I know they would not be able to show previous owners because they are tax records but would you be able to see paperwork possibly about it’s registration and manufacture?  

[MontanaRenegade86]

 

Quote

 

NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE NUMBER

DATE

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
ATTN: Disclosure Division, Room 4E.301
99 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20226

re: Information Request Pursuant to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I, NAME, residing at STREET ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP, hereby request, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, that you provide me with all information and copies of all documents related to the firearm specified below, that is, on information and belief, a machine-gun registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record:

- MANUFACTURER, MODEL, SERIAL NUMBER

Specifically, I am seeking a copy of the original registration form (ATF Form 2 – Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported) showing the date of manufacture for the above referenced firearm.

I understand that certain personal information on records relating to the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. To the extent possible, please provide me with copies of such records redacted to remove the exempt information.

I hereby agree to pay all search and duplication fees in the amount of up to AMOUNT. If you estimate fees will exceed this amount, please contact me. I am making this request as an individual seeking information for personal use and not for a commercial use, which I believe makes me an "all other requestor" for purposes of calculation of such fees.

I declare under penalty of perjury that I am NAME, that this letter is submitted on behalf of myself, and to the best of my knowledge that I am the current lawful owner of the machine-gun described above. I declare that the information set forth in this letter is true and correct and that I understand the penalties for requesting access to records under false pretenses.

Respectfully,

SIGNATURE

I've used the language in the attached template many times to get info on my guns.

A couple things:

1.) I've never had to pay anything to get my FOIA documents, but your mileage may vary from mine.

2.) These requests can take forever. I still have yet to receive documents on two of my mgs, and it has been almost 14 months since I submitted the request.  

Edited January 23, 2021 by MontanaRenegade86

[Ryo]

I was thinking of doing this.. Do you do it for each one individually or should you just do a list on the same FOIA? 

[Gary123]

I did it for an MP5 several years ago. As I remember, it was disappointing — vast sections redacted (blacked out) made it almost worthless. As I remember, it really didn’t tell me much that I didn’t already know.

[MontanaRenegade86]

2 hours ago, Ryo said:

I was thinking of doing this.. Do you do it for each one individually or should you just do a list on the same FOIA? 

I just change the language to do as many as I like. I think I've done three at a time before.

[Ryo]

2 hours ago, Gary123 said:

I did it for an MP5 several years ago. As I remember, it was disappointing — vast sections redacted (blacked out) made it almost worthless. As I remember, it really didn’t tell me much that I didn’t already know.

I know how you feel, I've seen one before.. It also had redacted information it. Whole point of asking for a FOIA is to learn about the history about it. 

[huggytree]

I’ve done this with every FA I own that could have Any history.  I’ve gotten 1 with tons of info and even the original owners name/prints and pic.  Most give you nothing.  But you don’t know until you try

 

[Bwanalewis]

Federal Law states that all Federal Agencies have 20 days to respond, unless there are "special circumstances."  So 12-16 months seems reasonable.

[BDMERC]

Just curious but while I've had this request cause a pre sample to be discovered to be a post sample, would ATF be required to reveal information that would prove a pre sample to be transferable?

[duza9999]

On 2/19/2021 at 5:11 PM, BDMERC said:

Just curious but while I've had this request cause a pre sample to be discovered to be a post sample, would ATF be required to reveal information that would prove a pre sample to be transferable?

Necro thread, however I’m considering submitting a FOIA for my Reising and Sten, does anyone know how long to expect for processing? 
My FBI FOIA is at 10 and a half months.

Also @BDMERCthats nuts, we’re you just curious about the presample’s history that lead to you submitting the FOIA and ATF came back with “it’s a post sample”, or was it something else that spurred it? 

How did it end up playing out?

With regards-Mat 

 

 

[United Surplus Arms]

I just did a NFA FOIA for a machine gun and it went to "special status" but it only took about 3 weeks to get the file/info.

[Aaron in Mohnton Pa]

The FOIA returns that I have seen have been heavily redacted....Basically tells the manufacture and not much of anything else. Sadly.... has anyone had a different experience as far as info thy received?

Aaron - Mohnton, Pa

[Colt Chopper]

[Colt Chopper]

Sometimes you get lucky, key dates and info were were priceless to me !

[browning1917a1]

Colt Chopper, that is priceless information. I need to do it on my 16. Most are C&R, but the ones that aren't, I will have a possible date of manufacture for when it will qualify as C&R.

Brian 

Browning1917a1