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Class III Weapons Permit...
I got my CHL, and I was thinking how much more fun would it be to practice shooting if I had a silencer. Anyone go down the path of getting their class III weapons permit? How much did it cost, how long did it take, What paperwork do I need?
Thanks for any direction.
-jhutto

jhutto wrote:Class III Weapons Permit...
I got my CHL, and I was thinking how much more fun would it be to practice shooting if I had a silencer. Anyone go down the path of getting their class III weapons permit? How much did it cost, how long did it take, What paperwork do I need?
Thanks for any direction.
-jhutto

It's not really a permit - it is a $200 tax stamp that you need. And then there is the cost of the suppressor - another $500+ And you have to live in a county/city that will allow it (as in the CLEO will sign off on it). And then you wait. And wait. And wait.

It's simple and easy. Took about 4 weeks and the cost is $200. But it's not a 'permit' it's really just a $200 stamp... like a really expensive postage stamp. Paperwork is simple, fingerprints, photos and a few signatures. If you're serious about getting one PM me and I'll get you in touch with my dealer.

Speaking of dealers... You being in dripping springs my LGS in Cedar Park might be the closest Class 3 place around. PM me if you want that info.

There are a number of designated officials in your city/county that are authorized to sign.

Hopefully, Drippings Springs may be more friendly to such a request than Harris County.

You may also form a corporation, as corporations may buy without the LEO signature.

Another way is to form a trust, as that also bypasses the LEO signature.

I cannot speak to any problems that may be inherent to the corp. or trust methods.

Unless things have changed: For ownership of NFA/Class III items there is no such thing as a Class III license - it's all about the ATF Form 4, $200 tax stamp (or $5 for AOW - Any Other Weapon), CLEO sign-off on the form, fingerprints, etc....in other words - if you can get a CHL, odds are high that you can get an NFA/Class III firearm. The prices have gone into the STUPID ZONE though (for full auto).

The hardest part is probably going to be (a) coming up with the $$$$$ (for full auto) and (b) getting Chief Law Enforcement Officer signoff on the Form 4. The trust/corporation route sounds like the way to go if you can't get the CLEO signoff. The Police Chief where I live (at least at the time) was very amenable, the dealer made the introduction/helped with the appointment with the Cheif for me.

PUCKER wrote:The hardest part is probably going to be (a) coming up with the $$$$$ (for full auto) ...

The OP is talking about class 3 for a suppressor, not full auto. But you are absolutely right about the prices for legal select fire weapons. Dang!

PUCKER wrote:Unless things have changed: For ownership of NFA/Class III items there is no such thing as a Class III license

Yeah there is, it's the type of Special Occupational Tax that FFLs can pay which allows them to do title II firearms transfers tax-free. There's also Class 2 SOTs (manufacturers) and Class 1 SOTs (importers).

The whole NFA is based on tax law instead of a permit system that some other gun laws (most notably carry laws) are based on, so when most people hear of a "Class III license" they quite logically assume it's something that's required to possess title II firearms, even though they're wrong.

Kalrog wrote:

PUCKER wrote:The hardest part is probably going to be (a) coming up with the $$$$$ (for full auto) ...

The OP is talking about class 3 for a suppressor, not full auto. But you are absolutely right about the prices for legal select fire weapons. Dang!

Many machine guns are still affordable for quite a few people, if they make it a priority. I've owned 5 machine guns in the last 6 years, sold 3 of them since then, still have two. How do I afford it? Simple, I drive an eight year old car and don't have any other expensive hobbies. Plenty of people will pay thousands for a new car or a boat or an expensive vacation overseas. I just choose to spend my money elsewhere.

That said, I wish 922(o) would go away so I could afford more machine guns.

CleverNickname wrote:

PUCKER wrote:Unless things have changed: For ownership of NFA/Class III items there is no such thing as a Class III license

Yeah there is, it's the type of Special Occupational Tax that FFLs can pay which allows them to do title II firearms transfers tax-free. There's also Class 2 SOTs (manufacturers) and Class 1 SOTs (importers).

The whole NFA is based on tax law instead of a permit system that some other gun laws (most notably carry laws) are based on, so when most people hear of a "Class III license" they quite logically assume it's something that's required to possess title II firearms, even though they're wrong.

I think by definition a SOT (special occupational TAX) is a tax, not a license... but that's just a technicality