What takes so long?

[JOLLYKART]

Anyone actually know why it takes so long to approve Applications? When I call I get "Pending since June 3" which is odd because the paperwork sent certified mail was signed for in mid May. Just curious!

 

[Drakkule]

Well since every other government office is so efficient, some one had to be slow. There is probably a small number of people actually doing the checks, so they get backed up, i just bought my first NFA item today, and i am already sick of waiting, and my paperwork is not even done yet. I'm hoping i will have mine before Christmas, so i can start the next one. Yep, I'm hooked.

 

[ssgjason]

Because there are less than 15 examiners who process thousands of form a year. I have read they actually only spend 10mimutes per form of actual work. Plus they have to wait on the FBI to clear your prints. Lastly, they are BATFE government employees, so they can do as bad of a job as they want and not really worry about it. I mean this is the same agency that brought us Operation Gun runner...

 

[indykid]

Only because they know that they are violating your constitutional rights and that they have you by the ****s!

There is no constitutional reason why you shouldn't be able to go out and buy a machinegun, or cut your barrel down, or install hearing protection on any firearm. That is why they take so long, because they "gotcha"!

 

[curraheeguns]

Because there are less than 15 examiners who process thousands of form a year.

Actually I think that number topped 1 million per year after Obama. It was over 700k in 2008.

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

As I understand it , the state does it's checks and if you've been a good boy they send it up to the feds .

IMO , that should be the end of the process . If your state says your G2G , the feds should rubber stamp it and send you the stamps .

It's a BS process that takes WAY TOO FREAKIN LONG ! I'm glad I did two at the same time cause I'll never do it again .

 

[curraheeguns]

As I understand it , the state does it's checks and if you've been a good boy they send it up to the feds .

IMO , that should be the end of the process . If your state says your G2G , the feds should rubber stamp it and send you the stamps .

It's a BS process that takes WAY TOO FREAKIN LONG ! I'm glad I did two at the same time cause I'll never do it again .

The state does no check. Some local governments, like IMPD do limited local criminal history checks which are nothing compared to the FBI's Federal Triple III background and AFIS checks.

I don't even think all local .gov's even take the time or resources to do the local check because they know what the fed's are going to do.

However, I do agree that it is a BS process and takes way to freakin long!!!

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

The state does no check. Some local governments, like IMPD do limited local criminal history checks which are nothing compared to the FBI's Federal Triple III background and AFIS checks.

I don't even think all local .gov's even take the time or resources to do the local check because they know what the fed's are going to do.

However, I do agree that it is a BS process and takes way to freakin long!!!

I stand corrected sir .

A coincidence I just noticed , 02/21 we do business , all the local paperwork finally gets done and on 07/21 I overnight the forms to the ATF .

Maybe I'll get the cans sometime this year . GRRRRR !

 

[ryknoll3]

The state does no check. Some local governments, like IMPD do limited local criminal history checks which are nothing compared to the FBI's Federal Triple III background and AFIS checks.

I don't even think MOST local .gov's even take the time or resources to do the local check because they know what the fed's are going to do.

However, I do agree that it is a BS process and takes way to freakin long!!!

FIFY. I would say it's probably a very small percentage of localities that do a background check before signing off. Probably big municipalities/counties lead the way there.

 

[revsaxon]

FIFY. I would say it's probably a very small percentage of localities that do a background check before signing off. Probably big municipalities/counties lead the way there.

Chesterton doesn't. They record your name when you get printed, but don't hold anything up waiting on a background check.

 

[tradertator]

1-You are working with 2 different branches of the Federal Government. I can't think of a Federal office that isn't renowned for taking their sweet ass time to do anything, and aren't inefficient in doing so.
2-The process is archaic at best. It is 2011. Why can't you submit a set of digital prints for your first item to have logged into in their server, and submit a new form electronically via web server for each additional item you are purchasing?
3-They have you by the balls. If you want to play with the really cool evil black toys, you have to play by their rules, or face risk of prison.

 

[migunner]

Count your blessings. In Wayne County Michigan (Detroit) it takes 12 weeks!!!

 

[JOLLYKART]

Thanks for the information, makes the wait slightly easier.

 

[DownByTheTracks]

According to the ATF Facts and Figures report there were 834,328 NFA applications approved in fiscal year 2009.

With the 10 examiners that comes out to 228 forms per person, per day!

ATF Fact Sheet - Facts and Figures (FY 2009)

 

[Stainer]

According to the ATF Facts and Figures report there were 834,328 NFA applications approved in fiscal year 2009.

With the 10 examiners that comes out to 228 forms per person, per day!

ATF Fact Sheet - Facts and Figures (FY 2009)

That's a lot of work! I have more respect for them now then I did before I read this thread. While the wait sucks, I now know why. As long as they don't raise the cost of the stamp then I'm happy!

Edit, I did the math and got slightly different numbers....
The 834,328 divided by 365 is 2258 and some change, but they don't work everyday so estimating at 260 days it is 3208 and change! That's insane! Break it down even further... divided by 8 for the 8 hour day and its 401 an hour.... even further divided by the 60 minutes in an hour and its 6.68 a minute! That's just under one every ten seconds..... That is truly insane! Not much time to investigate someone!

 

[mms]

That's a lot of work! I have more respect for them now then I did before I read this thread. While the wait sucks, I now know why. As long as they don't raise the cost of the stamp then I'm happy!

Edit, I did the math and got slightly different numbers....
The 834,328 divided by 365 is 2258 and some change, but they don't work everyday so estimating at 260 days it is 3208 and change! That's insane! Break it down even further... divided by 8 for the 8 hour day and its 401 an hour.... even further divided by the 60 minutes in an hour and its 6.68 a minute! That's just under one every ten seconds..... That is truly insane! Not much time to investigate someone!

divide the first number by ten first (ten examiners) ....... before going into your days hours min.... then you have what each one does

 

[Stainer]

divide the first number by ten first (ten examiners) ....... before going into your days hours min.... then you have what each one does

Crap, I knew there was something I was forgetting. Stupid math!
320 a day
40 an hour
That is still not a lot of time "investigating" sounds more like punching your name in a computer, it says your good, they approve. Not sure why this has not become an online service. Would certainly streamline the process.

 

[JOLLYKART]

Got off the phone with them (BATAF) today, ask what is the time frame from "Pending" to "Approved" her answer was up to five months. Joy!
Guess I will back down from my weekly phone calls for a while.

 

[ReSSurrected]

With the 10 examiners that comes out to 228 forms per person, per day!

Maybe if we all quit calling in for status checks, they could get an extra form or two per hour!!!

 

[JOLLYKART]

Really good point, but you must already have your toy, I am the kid watching you all play. Ya I know, sucks to be me. lol