As the shutdown of the federal government continues with no end in sights, gun-rights organizations are expressing concern that the processing of NFA applications has screeched to a halt, depriving Americans of their Second Amendment rights.
Both the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) are calling on Democrat senators to end the shutdown so constitutional rights of citizens are not negatively affected.
“The Schumer Shutdown serves as another example as to why the NRA is leading the fight to put an end to the unconstitutional National Firearms Act,” John Commerford, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “While anti-gun politicians refuse to reopen the government, the processing of NFA applications has been halted, arbitrarily denying lawful gun owners access to their legally purchased property.
Commerford said that it’s unacceptable for Democrats to hold lawful Americans’ rights hostage for a “political agenda.”
“It’ s time for Democrats to put Americans and our constitutional rights above Sen. Schumer’s political agenda and reopen the government,” he concluded.
The NSSF is also urging the Justice Department to resume NFA and import processing during the shutdown, since suspension of both infringes upon the rights of lawful Americans. In a news item posted on its website, the NSSF said that while background checks for firearm transfers have remained operational through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), processing of applications for Import permits and NFA forms have been suspended since the federal government shutdown began on October 1.
“While we understand the operational challenges that arise during a lapse in federal funding, the complete cessation of commercial Imports and the processing of NFA items represents an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “Americans’ Second Amendment rights cannot be suspended because Congress has failed to fund the federal government.”
As NSSF pointed out, FBI NICS background checks are currently still being conducted, which are required for every suppressor transfer. Resuming Form 4 processing for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns would not place any additional burdens on the background check infrastructure, nor would it require additional staffing by FBI NICS.
“Continued processing of Form 2 manufacture and import notifications is critical to ensure that the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) remains up to date, to allow for the transfer of newly manufactured or imported NFA items throughout any shutdown period,” the NSSF concluded. “Coordinately, continued processing of Form 3 applications for transfers between licensees is critical to ensure that products remain available for customers who may wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights by purchasing an NFA item at their local firearms retailer.”
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