eForms Sit Rep

[ExecDirector]

Directly from ATF:

"Right now, we hope to bring the form 1 back soon, followed by the forms 2, 5 and 9 if the system holds up under an increased user burden. The forms 3 and 4 look to be down the road as ATF is exploring the creation of a new system for these forms (they were the two high-volume ones) – if that works, we would move the forms from the old system to the new."

That doesn't give us a specific timeline, but it does give us a road map. IMO, it does not make sense to hope that eForms will be up soon for Form 4 filing.

[ExecDirector]

Form 1 has been brought back online.

[ExecDirector]

Content of ATF's email notice from yesterday:

Good afternoon:

We are pleased to announce the following updates to the eForms system:



Performance enhancements – We were able to address some of the technical issues. You will see improvements in the overall performance of the system.
We are able to add the ATF Form 1 back to the eForms system. Our plans are to closely monitor the performance of the system in order to determine if we will be able to add additional forms back to the system.

Below is an update on the status on our processing of paper and electronic NFA applications. In the future, this information will be available through links on the eForms login screen:

In follow-up to ATF’s letter dated April 16, 2014, regarding the status of the eForms system; this update is being provided to inform the industry of ATF’s progress in addressing eForms and paper NFA applications. To accommodate the substantial increase in application volume that has recently occurred, ATF is working diligently to decrease processing times while continuing to enhance the eForms platform.

What is our progress to date?

From a peak of over 81,000 pending NFA applications at the end of February 2014, as of June 18, 2014, ATF has reduced the number to less than 63,000 applications pending (23% reduction in pending applications). In the last four weeks, although the NFA Branch received over 17,800 applications we processed more than 22,400 applications.

http://www.nfatca.org/images/form1_pie.png



The statistics in the table below represent the processing of NFA Forms over the past four weeks.

NFA Forms Processed by Week


Date (Week of)
5/28/14
6/4/14
6/11/14
6/18/14


All Forms
4,815
5,629
5,635
6,323


eForms
1,199
1,204
1,905
1,682


Paper Forms
3,616
4,425
3,730
4,641



At the same time, ATF has directed additional resources to NFA application processing:



There are currently 15 Legal Instrument Examiner (LIE) applicants currently in the background investigation phase of hiring.




The use of overtime funding has been authorized for those employees processing NFA applications.




ATF has cross-trained LIEs from various other ATF branches to support NFA application processing. This is an ongoing process and has already beneficially impacted application processing.




ATF has dedicated additional data entry contract resources to reduce the time it takes for an application to be entered into the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). As a result, data entry time has already been reduced from eight weeks to two weeks.


If you have any questions regarding any of the information included in this email, you may contact us through the eForms system by using “Ask the Experts” or by emailing us at eforms.admin_atf.gov.

Thank you for your continued support of eForms., ATF has directed additional resources to NFA application processing:



There are currently 15 Legal Instrument Examiner (LIE) applicants currently in the background investigation phase of hiring.




The use of overtime funding has been authorized for those employees processing NFA applications.




ATF has cross-trained LIEs from various other ATF branches to support NFA application processing. This is an ongoing process and has already beneficially impacted application processing.




ATF has dedicated additional data entry contract resources to reduce the time it takes for an application to be entered into the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). As a result, data entry time has already been reduced from eight weeks to two weeks.


If you have any questions regarding any of the information included in this email, you may contact us through the eForms system by using “Ask the Experts” or by emailing us at eforms.admin_atf.gov.

Thank you for your continued support of eForms.

[ExecDirector]

^^^ I am aware that the email address offered in the notice is not valid...

[jason8844]

I am looking to fill out a form 5 to ship a short barreled rifle to a licensed gunsmith in another state for some work. Does anybody know if the system has the form 5's up yet? I know they just added the form 1's, but I heard that some of the other forms are also up. I tried logging on today but the system is down for maintenance.

[ExecDirector]

See above (post on 6/17). Next up are 2's, then 5's. Assuming everything holds up. The only forms currently up are the 6's and 1's.

[jason8844]

See above (post on 6/17). Next up are 2's, then 5's. Assuming everything holds up. The only forms currently up are the 6's and 1's.

Sorry I missed that. Looks like it is paper and snail mail for my form 5. I wish I did not have to send the SBR out of state, but no gunsmith in my area has the ability to rebarrel HK rifles.

[ExecDirector]

If you are sending it to an 07 for repair, the form 5 is *recommended* but not legally required. I would still go with one for documentation, but the choice is yours.

[Armorer-at-Law]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does not consider the temporary conveyance of an NFA firearm to a gunsmith for repair to be a “transfer” under the terms of the NFA. Thus, an ATF Form 5 application is not required.
See: https://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2000/02/021800-openletter-nfa-repair-of-firearms.html

Jeff, can a Form 5320.20 be used for temporarily shipping an SBR to a licensed gunsmith or 07 for repair? Is a 5320.20 only for when it will remain in the owner's possession? I know ATF says to use a Form 5, but it is not a "transfer," which is what Form 5 does, and then would have to be "transferred" back to the owner after the repair.

[jason8844]

If you are sending it to an 07 for repair, the form 5 is *recommended* but not legally required. I would still go with one for documentation, but the choice is yours.

I agree, & I already have my form 5 filled out and in the mail. I decided to go the Form 5 route, even though it is not required, simply because I am shipping the SBR out of state. I felt it was better since the rifle would be traveling interstate.

[ExecDirector]

I like having documentation...

[ExecDirector]

Form 2's are now back on the eForms system.

[Armorer-at-Law]

Form 2s are now back on eForms.

[ExecDirector]

From ATF this afternoon:

Good Afternoon Registered eForms Users:

ATF is pleased to announce the return of the following eForms to active service: ATF Form 5 on 8/27/2014, ATF Form 9 on 9/2/2014, and ATF Form 5300.11 (AFMER) on 9/5/2014.

Please note that at this time no date has been determined for the return of the ATF Forms 3 and Form 4 to service on the current platform. In the interim, ATF has devoted additional resources to paper forms processing within the NFA Branch to augment the volume of receipts and current pending applications.