Current ATF regulations require individual applicants to get sign-off from their local chief law-enforcment officer (CLEO). This is known colloquially as the ‘CLEO Sign-off.’
In many jurisdictions, the CLEO will not sign the form and this acts as an effective ban on the acquisition in defiance of the intent of the National Firearms Act (NFA).
This is one of the reason that many people turn to NFA trusts. Trust applicants as well as other non-individual applicants such as corporate entities do not need CLEO Sign-off and this allows those in jurisdictions where the CLEO is anti-gun to still purchase NFA items.
Additionally, under current ATF regulations, trust applicants do not need to be fingerprinted nor do they need to submit photographs.
The ATF however has proposed a rule change that they say would do three things:
Read more at Monachus Lex.
