Need someone at LE to sign my class III paperwork in GA.

[coolhand]

Hello guys!
I’m trying to convert my shotgun into the short barreled or so-called saw-away shotgun.
However, in order to do that I’ve to submit a class III NFA form to ATF.
Where to get the signature from LE in GA area and whom I need to talk to?
Last time I filed the application for my suppressor I got the signature from a guy at GBI.
Does anyone know any LEO willing to sign class III form in GA Atlanta area?
Many thanks in advance!

[KarlPMann]

First, the person has to be a Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) having jurisdiction/authority where you reside. The CLEO may have someone he appoints do this on his behalf. Normally if you live in city limits this CLEO would be the chief of police, the sheriff, the chief prosecutor (DA), state attorney general, a state or federal judge, or the head of a state or federal law enforcement agency. Above and beyond those you would need to contact BATF directly and get their approval on who else could sign. If GBI signed last time, I'd go to them again. Karl.

[coolhand]

Thanks for your reply!!!!
Yes, I just found out that he still signs the papaer!
I'll get my signature after X-mas!
WOW~:)

[RenegadeGlocker]

Are you sure this is legal? I was under the impression that only rifles could be converted to Short-Barrel Status. A short barreled Shotgun was considered an AOW, and must start life from scratch, not from another weapon.

Not to imply anything illegal has been done. As you are no doubt aware, you do not do the conversion until after you get the Tax Stamp back from ATF. The worst case scenario is ATF will return your paperwork (if this is indeed not allowed, and tell you it is not possible to do this conversion.

See:

http://www.impactguns.com/store/aows.html

and
http://www.serbu.com/shorty.htm

It seems Short-Barrel Shotguns with Pistol Grips are $5 AOW. Maybe if it has a full stock it can be converted, and is the $200 Tax? Please clarify if I am wrong.

[coolhand]

I'm going to convert the shotgun into the Short-Barrel Shotguns with Pistol Grips which is AOW under form 1.
The tax is only $5.
You can convert shotgun with pistol grip and short barrel for $5 AOW but not with shoulder stock.
With stock you must file $200 application to BATF.

[RenegadeGlocker]

Thanks!

[KarlPMann]

Originally posted by coolhand
I'm going to convert the shotgun into the Short-Barrel Shotguns with Pistol Grips which is AOW under form 1.
The tax is only $5.
You can convert shotgun with pistol grip and short barrel for $5 AOW but not with shoulder stock.
With stock you must file $200 application to BATF.


Sorry Coolhand, but that is absolutely positively not true. First when you make ANY NFA firearm on a form 1 the tax is $200.00. Even if that firearm is an AOW. Second, in order for an AOW to be made from a shotgun receiver, the receiver can never have had a stock attached, EVER. If you are converting from a regular shotgun to a Short Barreled Shotgun you will need to register it on your form 1 as such and pay the $200.00 tax. If you attempt to register it as an AOW it will be disapproved. Before you waste weeks to find this out, you can call BATF in Wash, DC. and they can give you all info you need. Or just look at the ATF Form5320.1 (aka Form 1) there is no option for paying a $5.00 tax, that's because you can't do that. Advantage of AOW=$5.00 transfer tax. Disadvantage of AOW=you can't put on a stock. Advantage of SBS=you can have a stock OR pistol grip. Disadvantage of SBS=$200.00 transfer tax.

RenegadeGlocker I hope what I said above also clears up things a little for you too. Short Barreled Shotgun (SBS) and an Any Other Weapon (AOW) are two different categories under NFA Title II. AOW includes a weapon made from a shotgun receiver but having never had a stock affixed to it. AOW also includes many other weapons though, i.e. cane guns, pen guns, umbrella guns, or many other forms of "disguised guns". Karl.

[RenegadeGlocker]

Yes for me, Thanks. It seems easier to just buy one already made, brand new, like those over at the web sites I mentioned.

[KarlPMann]

Originally posted by RenegadeGlocker
Yes for me, Thanks. It seems easier to just buy one already made, brand new, like those over at the web sites I mentioned.

That's what I recommend most people do. I did an 870 as a SBS, but that was because I wanted the ability to have either a pistol grip OR stock depending on my mood at the time. Also I never plan on selling it so the $$$$ tax for subsequent transfers didn't matter to me. Karl.

[coolhand]

Thanks for your concern everyone!
So let me get this straight… I could buy an already made short-barreled shotgun with $5 AOW tax but I couldn’t convert regular pistol grip 870 into a short-barreled shotgun?
So confusing….
Personally, I don’t like those super shortly… they’re too expensive and I need a short-barreled shotgun with minimum 5rds capacity.
Any idea?

[KarlPMann]

No, let me try to explain it this way. If you get a receiver that has had a stock on it at any time ever. You can only make that into a SBS. Wheteher you are an individual or a manufacturer. That SBS will cost you a $200.00 tax to make it on a form 1. When you later transfer it to someone else it will cost $200.00 on a form 4. An SBS can have a stock or a pistol grip, whichever you like. If you plan on swapping between the two, you make a note of this in the "overall length" section of the ATF form (1 or 4), by putting the two different overall lengths. If you get a receiver that has never had a stock on it, you can register it as an AOW. When you do this on a form 1 it will cost $200.00 tax. When you later transfer it to someone else on a form 4 it will cost $5.00 tax. As an AOW it cannot have a stock. Some people prefer to have an AOW because of the lower tax. Some prefer a SBS because of the ability to have a stock or pistol grip.

As a side note. Some people want to have an AOW but don't want to pay the $200.00 tax to get it. There is one way to get around some portion of this cost. A licensed manufacturer doesn't have to pay this initial registration tax of $200.00, since they pay an annual tax to have the license. Therefore thay can make the AOW from a bare receiver and transfer it to someone for the $5.00 AOW tax. This is why many people will get a bare receiver and a barrel, transfer the items to a licensed manufacturer, have him make and register the AOW, and then transfer it back to them on a form 4 as an AOW. Most manufacturers will do this for less than the $195.00 difference. Thus you will save a few $$$$$. The biggest problem with doing it this way is finding a bare receiver. Most major gun manufacturers will not sell bare receivers to just anyone, so they are hard to find. And this is why I recommend to most people to just go out and find the gun you want and buy it. The little bit of money you save isn't worth all the hassle. There are plenty of good used AOW's out there for very little money. Scattergun technologies sells their low end model AOW for $300.00 new. A used one will commonly go for $250.00 + $5.00 tax. Karl.

[coolhand]

WOW! Karl, that's awesome reply!
That’s was the most in-depth explanation about AOW and short-barreled shotgun thread I’ve seen on the web!
Big thanks to Karl!
I guess I’m gonna get a Mossberg 590 AOW from Advanced Armament for $450 plus $5 AOW tax.
If I could come up with some more $$ then I would love to get a Remington 870 short barreled-shotguns with parkerized finish, tritium front sight and synthetic for ends featuring rare Remington factory folding stock for $595 plus $200 tax.
The best part is Advanced Armament is only 10 mins away from my house!
I wish I have more $$$…sniffs.
Again, many thanks to Karl for great replies!

[KarlPMann]

You're very welcome, I'm glad I could help. But next time you got a question about Title II weapons. Try not to pick the most difficult to explain concept of that stupid law called the National Firearms Act. Karl.

[coolhand]

lol! thanks again Karl!
yeah... BATF laws are stupid... but it's law and I guess I've to obey.
Anyeway, stay safe and happy shooting Karl!
;c