Noob Question: Can someone explain "Law" and "no law" letter items to me?

[DrS]

Can someone explain "Law" and "no law" letter items to me?

 

Apologies if this has been asked before.  But I am new and the search for this forum kind of stinks.

[DrS]

Update:  

Can someone explain "Law" and "no law" letter items to me WITHOUT asking the new guy to call you at your home?  (Because that seems a little creepy.)

[huggytree]

Post sample guns ffl to ffl only 

guns sell with law letter normally. When going out of business they can be sold as no law letter to unload inventory 

If your not a ffl/ sot you can’t own any of them 

[Uncle Zeek]

"Law letter" - a post-sample gun can be sold from an SOT to another SOT (02 or 03) with a law enforcement letter that essentially says "our department wants to evaluate XX gun".  So the receiving SOT can be a dealer or a manufacturer.

"No law letter" - a post-sample gun can be sold from an SOT that is going out of business to an 02 SOT (manufacturer) without a law letter.  Note that a dealer (03 SOT) still needs a law letter for this.

Here's the relevant law on the subject if you're interested:

https://regulations.atf.gov/479-105/2023-01001#479-105

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Uncle Zeek

[Rex Tyson]

Here are some relative links for your question. They have made it harder than it used to be.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/form/description-firearm-and-information-request-demonstration/download

https://www.atf.gov/file/181106/download

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/all-ffls-jan-2023-open-letter-machinegun-dealer-sales-sample-letters/download

[Greasegunner]

Late to the party but here is valuable info

all Post 86 machine guns can only be sold to a 07 or a 10  with SOT with law letter which is a letter from a Police dept asking for a demo

ATF will deny letters that ask for demos of old school machine guns like a grease gun or thompson since they feel no department would buy one of these

and the same with a belt fed.

The 07 with post samples who is going out of business can sell his post86 machineguns without demo letter under section 479.105

because ATF will make it easier for the SOT to get rid of his inventory. when he gives up his SOT, he CANNOT retain any of these

Edited December 31, 2024 by Greasegunner

[WashingtonCountyGuns]

Also FFL 10's (like us) can also purchase no-letter MG's.  Easier way is to say any "Manufacturing" FFL with an SOT Type 02.

[Ryo]

If your not a FFL, you can't own either of them (Law Letter MG or No Law Letter MG).
Note the Law and no Law Letter are also referred to as Post 86 (Imported or made on or after May 19, 1986). The others combined together cover it. 

Other terms you might hear is PreMay, Pre86. That means they are are made before May 19, 1986, but after the 1968 ban. Only FFL's can buy and they don't need a law letter. 

 

Edited January 1 by Ryo
Stupid error

[Michaels Machines]

FYI....importer/SOT's can also acquire "no letter" as well.

MM

[SGT Fish]

10 hours ago, Ryo said:

If your not a FFL, you can't own either of them (Law Letter MG or No Law Letter MG).
Note the Law and no Law Letter are also referred to as Post 86 (Imported or made on or after May 19, 1986). The others combined together cover it. 

Other terms you might hear is PreMay, Pre86. That means they are are made before May 19, 1986, but after the 1982 ban. Only FFL's can buy and they don't need a law letter. 

 

1982 ban?

Pre-samples are MGs that were imported between the 1968 GCA and the 1986 Hughes amendment/FOPA

[Ryo]

Yikes stupid error. Thanks. I was thinking of something else when I wrote that. 

Edited January 1 by Ryo