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All Newcomers - Read this FAQ FIRST before asking questions (Part 1)

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Welcome to the Free Fire Zone! This forum deals strictly with National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons only, as referred to by the USA. Questions from our international guests are most certainly welcome, however please be aware that most members who frequent this forum are U.S. citizens and likely may not be familiar with the laws of your respective country. This FAQ is written specifically toward laws in the USA and her respective states.

If you have a question regarding pistols, revolvers, hunting rifles or things along those lines, please refer your question to the correct forum.



<b>Introduction:</b> So, you saw the Matrix, or Rambo or some other movie with cool looking machine guns or rocket launchers and you thought to yourself "I Want to buy one of those!". We get this question a lot. This is the reason I wrote this FAQ. I will attempt to explain why you can or can not own such a weapon. I will make updates/changes to this FAQ as time goes on to try and keep it up-to-date. So, please take the time read this document as it will explain the details and process of acquiring such a weapon.


<b>Section I: NFA Weapons? What does NFA mean?</b>
Ok, I'll keep this short and sweet. NFA stands for National Firearms Act of 1934. It was probably the first major gun control law enacted by Congress. The reason it was enacted essentially boils down to that Prohibition had recently ended and so many federal agents no longer had any actual job duties because they were responsible for catching bootleggers. So instead of letting a lot of agents go and also causing some major unemployment, the Feds gave these agents new jobs to do related to the NFA law. The NFA was also passed because of the recent introduction of the Thompson submachine gun. Back before the NFA was enacted, yes you could go down to a local gun shop and pick one up inside of 5 minutes. The Sears catalog even had them up for sale for home buyers! But of course, sometimes a handful of people give everyone else a bad name. People like Bonnie & Clyde and Al Capone tend to ruin it for the law-abiding citizen who enjoys exercising their firearms. It was criminals like these, utilizing submachine guns to mow down people en masse and the local police scared out of their minds because they didn't know how to handle such situations, that caused this law to be passed. Gun grabbing nutcases like to advance their political agenda by using situations like these to portray everyday life in all of America, except today it's not Bonnie & Clyde they refer to, but cases like Klebold and Harris at Colombine, or Malvo in the D.C. sniper killings. What's interesting is that these people used regular single-shot firearms to do their killing. But, let's not get too far off topic. The point is that many politicians and organizations with lots of money think that by passing new more restrictive gun laws they will curb or stop violent crime. Well that sounds like a good idea for law-abiding citizens but I personally wasn't aware criminals cared about the law.

Well, gone are the days of being able to buy a new Tommy Gun from Sears. So how are you able to get one today? Let me explain how the NFA works.

First, the NFA applied only to certain weapons. Below are the categorizations:

1. Machine gun - a firearm capable of firing multiple rounds of ammunition with a single pull of the trigger. This includes guns that aren't really "full auto" but have a burst setting of firing maybe only 2 or 3 rounds and then stopping.

2. Suppressor - some people call these silencers, but that is an incorrect term. The firearm is not completely silent, but the sound is suppressed.

3. Short barreled rifle - any rifle that has a barrel or barrels with a length of less than 16 inches, or the overall length is less than 26 inches.

4. Short barreled shotgun - any shotgun that has a barrel or barrels with a length of less than 18 inches, or the overall length is less than 26 inches.

5. Destructive Device - this category encompasses two definitions. A destructive device can be a 'large bore weapon', meaning any firearm that uses ammunition larger than .50 caliber, or 1/2" in diameter. For example a firearm that uses a 20mm round would be considered a DD. The round itself would not be, but just the firearm. The other definition is an explosive weapon, such as a grenade. A modern example would include the 40mm grenade launchers you can stick on an M16 or various other weapons. The launcher itself would be considered a DD because of the large bore, and every single round that is an actual explosive grenade would also be considered a DD. This can get expensive because of the transfer tax. It's usually very hard to find live 40mm rounds though that civilians can get their hands on, so have some fun launching practice rounds instead.

6. Any Other Weapon - this category mainly applies to 'gadget type weapons'. You may have seen things like pen guns, cane guns, alarm clocks that fire a .22 bullet when the alarm goes off, etc. Things like these are considered AOWs. Some other AOWs can include short barreled shotguns or rifles that have a pistol grip ONLY. If the weapon has a shoulder stock, than its either an SBS or SBR. The Mossberg 590A1 with pistol grip is an example of an AOW.


<b>Section II: I want one!</b>
Ok, so you've found the perfect weapon to inflict mass destruction on inanimate objects and extract maximum amounts of fun from, so how do you actually get to own the thing?! Well first, you have to know if you are legally able to buy a regular handgun or rifle. If you can, you're usually good to go in buying your NFA weapon. The next thing you'd have to worry about is what state you live in. I can just hear it now..."What? What the hell does my state have to do with anything?!" Well the plain and simple answer is that certain states like to legislate that citizens can't own certain types of weapons, just like some people in Congress try to do. Below is an overview of every state and what they allow.

Legend
------
MG = Machine Gun
SU = Suppressor
SBR = Short barreled rifle
SBS = Short barreled shotgun
EXPDD = Explosive Destructive Device
LBDD = Large bore Destructive Device
AOW = Any Other weapon


<b>Alabama</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Alaska</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Arizona</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Arkansas</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>California</b>
California has their own sort of permit that must also be issued to own any of the items below
MG = Yes
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Colorado</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes (state permit also required)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Connecticut</b>
MG = Yes (state registration required; no select fire weapons - full auto only)
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Delaware</b>
MG = No
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes (pistol AOWs with smooth bores prohibited)

<b>Florida</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Georgia</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes (incendiary explosive prohibited)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Hawaii</b>
MG = No
SU = No
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = No
AOW = No

<b>Idaho</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Illinois</b>
MG = No
SU = No
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
AOW = Yes

<b>Indiana</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Iowa</b>
MG = No
SU = Yes*
SBR = Yes*
SBS= Yes*
EXPDD = Yes*
LBDD = Yes*
AOW = Yes*
*= only items deemed to be curios and relics by the BATF are permitted

<b>Kansas</b>
MG = No (deactivated war trophies OK)
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Kentucky</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Louisiana</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Maine</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Maryland</b>
MG = Yes (state registration required)
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Massachusetts</b>
MG = Yes (state license/registration also required)
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = No

<b>Michigan</b>
MG = Yes
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Minnesota</b>
MG = Yes (?? may only allow MGs deemed curios and relics; state registration required)
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Mississippi</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes (state registration required)
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Missouri</b>
<i>This state has plenty of weird laws - best to check everything before purchasing</i>
MG = Yes (?? may only allows MGs deemed curios and relics)
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = No
LBDD = No
AOW = Yes

<b>Montana</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = No
LBDD = No
AOW = Yes

<b>Nebraska</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Nevada</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>New Hampshire</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>New Jersey</b>
<i>May require state permit</i>
MG = Yes
SU = No
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = No
AOW = Yes

<b>New Mexico</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>New York</b>
MG = No
SU = No
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes (may require some sort of state license)

<b>North Carolina</b>
<i>This state has weird laws. Check before purchasing</i>
MG = Yes (need special permit)
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>North Dakota</b>
<i>This state may require registration of weapons. Check first before purchasing</i>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Ohio</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Oklahoma</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Oregon</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes (incendiaries prohibited)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Pennsylvania</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Rhode Island</b>
MG = No
SU = No
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>South Carolina</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>South Dakota</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Tennessee</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Texas</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Utah</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Vermont</b>
MG = Yes
SU = No
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Virginia</b>
MG = Yes (state registration required)
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Washington</b>
MG = No
SU = Yes (can't be used on a firearm)
SBR = No
SBS = No
EXPDD = No
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>West Virginia</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Wisconsin</b>
MG = Yes (pistol caliber MGs require permit)
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = Yes (incendiaries prohibited; permit required)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes

<b>Wyoming</b>
MG = Yes
SU = Yes
SBR = Yes
SBS = Yes
EXPDD = ?? (check with state attorney general or NFA branch)
LBDD = Yes
AOW = Yes
 
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