How to Buy an Automatic Weapon
The National Firearms Act has made it difficult, but not impossible, to acquire automatic weapons. Modern automatic weapons are impossible to buy legally, but the firearms can be purchased if they were legally registered by May 19, 1986. The purchase requires that the buyer register with the ATF and get approved by local law enforcement.
- Acquire the ATF Form 4. Both the seller and buyer must complete sections of the form. You will also need to have the head of your local law enforcement complete the Law Enforcement Certification section.
- Add a small, 2x2 inch, photograph of the seller to each page of the form. The picture must have been taken within the past year and the seller's address should be present in the photographs as well.
- Go to your local law enforcement department and have them take a fingerprint. You will need to submit the fingerprint on the FBI Form FD-258.
- Complete the FBI Form FD-258 by obtaining a certificate from local law enforcement proving that there is no legitimate reason that you shouldn't be allowed to purchase an automatic firearm. Add a photo of yourself that his been taken within the past year to complete the form.
- Determine whether you will need a permit or license to purchase the weapon. Do this by checking with the local and state restrictions related to automatic weapons. If you do, and you probably will, you will need to mail in a copy of the seller's license or permit, a completed application, and what is usually a $200 fee to obtain your own permit or license.
- Mail your forms to the FBI and ATF in and wait to find out if you are approved.