How do you submit an idea to the ATF

What is the proper means to send an idea to the Technical branch to have it evaluated? Anyone here ever done this?

thanks

-myers

Depends on what it is. I would start out with a description and drawings, if they need more they will request it. What gets scary is when they say "This might fall under the purview of the NFA, or it might not. Please send a working example so we may evaluate it further."

Hmmm :) So they ask you to make something illegal? Sounds like alot of fun...

Thanks for the input. Any idea of where to submit it or to who?

-myers

Address good as of 2007:





Firearms Technology Branch




Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
244 Needy Road
Martinsburg, WV 25405

202-927-7910


John Spencer is the latest Chief I have heard of, but I'm a year out of date.


They sometimes ask you to make something that Possibly might be illegal. The argument could be made that you were making it "on behalf of a federal agency", which is allowed under the regs. Of course, that argument might cost you a half million bucks and several years of court appearances..... If I wanted to submit something like that I would partner with an 07FFL/SOT so he can submit it. If it is declared NFA they usually just register it to him and return it.

Thanks Kernal...

-myers

Yaaaa be smart about this. Maybe a written full discription of device and working parts - mechanical and drafting pictures - stepp by stepp function drawings. Bolsa Wood or plastic mock up - nothing that actually could even be made to work. If LE can get it to actually work you could be asking a lawyer questions.

Most firesarms and devices are already covered by existing laws/codes. Look at the end function-nality of your question/devise and laws that already govern it.

Don't ask BAFT+E or LE, but do this quietly - while you pet your favorite pett and in the confort of your own domocile. Do not putt yourself on LE radar untill absolutely nesscessary.

The planning and going through a 07FFL/SOT or munitions manufacturer is a good way when you actually get a working prototype stage.

matthews did an article in sgn about building a dummy mg and included the hoops he jumped through to get "non-gun" status. you may have to submit a sample.

I know for a fact that you will have to submitt a sample..........if it is a device to be attached to a firearm, then a detail instructions has to go along with it on how it attaches to what firearm, along with a written paper on the functioning aspect of the device

For Now Mail Yourself A Copy Including Pics and Drawings Via Certified Mail ** But Do Not Open It When It Arrives Leave Sealed**. This gives you proof of Invention Date pending patent filing. This way you have protection from future patent infringments pending your approval.

Thats a dang good idea.

As Utga Schleigle said MOST things fall into current catagories.

If its nothing to extreme you may just ask us here on the boards what you need to do with it. AOW stamp ect.

But if your gettin fancy with any FA sim stuff or anythign realy crazy..... def drop the BATF a line.

Oh yea, if its fun and works...... LOL expect a NO

They outlawed shoestrings you know, thats why we all use VELCRO now.

Like a muzzel lanched - heat seeking - rocket gernade - filled with fraggmenting purple jelly beans. With an effective range to take out Santa's sledd. The goverment had a problem with the purple aspect.

Or my ill fated - 37mm matzza ball bloop gun round. I did not lower the cup pressure and the mazta ball shott out in a mist. The whole shop smelled like gellfeilta fish (the lethal ingrediant).

The ex-wife catapult (base on MICHAEL ANGELO design) did stirr great interest. Butt SADAM had already tried one and his ex-wife only flew 4 miles, not the 50 miles as promised by the French design team. So the Pentagon nixxed that. Allthough Army did want to rent the prototype for a weekend of fun and frollick???

Any way hope your idea works out!!!!! :small_gri