Purchasing a suppressor or other National Firearms Act (NFA) item online—such as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS), Any Other Weapon (AOW), or machine gun—is a fast and straightforward process. Due to federal law, all NFA items must be shipped directly to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer who holds a valid Special Occupational Taxpayer (SOT) qualification.
A standard FFL license allows dealers to handle traditional firearms (handguns, long guns), but an SOT Class 3/Class 2 status is specifically required for a dealer to receive, hold, and process National Firearms Act transfers.
| Requirement Type | Standard FFL Dealer | FFL Dealer with SOT (Required for NFA) |
| Firearm Transfers | Standard handguns, rifles, shotguns, frame/receiver transfers. | Standard firearms PLUS Suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs, & Machine Guns. |
| NFA Processing Ability | ❌ Cannot receive or process NFA transfers. | ✅ Fully licensed to receive Form 3 transfers and file ATF Form 4s. |
| Buyer Verification | Confirms local dealer possesses valid FFL. | Must confirm local dealer holds an active SOT qualification. |
Before or immediately after placing your online order, contact your local gun shop to verify that they possess an active SOT qualification in addition to their FFL.
Complete your suppressor or NFA item purchase through the official online store.
Once your order is processed, check your inbox for a confirmation email containing a link to our secure FFL/SOT Transfer Form. Submit your receiving dealer’s business name, address, and license/SOT details via this link.
Dealer Handoff: We file an electronic ATF Form 3 to legally transfer the NFA item to your local SOT dealer.
ATF Form 4 Processing: Upon receipt, your local SOT dealer will assist you in completing your ATF Form 4 (electronic eForm submission) and background registration.
🛑 TRANSFER NOTICE: NFA items cannot be shipped directly to a residential address under any circumstances. Always confirm that your receiving dealer is willing to accept outside NFA transfers and holds a current SOT before submitting their information.
⚖️ Important Regulatory Disclaimer: The state law and firearm assembly information provided in this article is for general informational and educational tracking purposes only. Firearm conversion chassis, brace definitions, and accessory laws change constantly, rendering online informational articles out of date quickly. CAA assumes no liability for reliance on this text. Always cross-reference your current state, county, and local ordinances before purchasing, processing, or assembling any conversion gear.