virginia citizens defense league

Defending Your Right to Defend Yourself

va-alert

Published 10/20/2026

More Information on SBRs, SBSs, and Suppressors 

1. More information on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs

2. Electronic fingerprinting for Form 1 and Form 4

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1. More information on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs

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Because of various state laws on short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and shotguns (SBSs), including the law here in Virginia, some attorneys believe that it might still be wise to just do the free Form 1s and Form 4s. The most concern is with SBRs and SBSs.

The good news is that the turnaround for those Forms has been as quickly as one day lately. I expect that kind of turnaround will probably continue.

For suppressors, being a GOA member gives addition protection. For SBRs and SBSs, being a CCRKBA member gives addition protection. I am members of both organizations.

Here is a video by VCDL firearms attorney Gilbert Ambler on the subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx1VhV1xiJ0

Here is a writeup by VCDL Firearms attorney John Pierce.

If you decide to do file a Form 1 or Form 4 electronically, see the next article.

And this video is by William Kirk with Washington Gun Law. He says it is unlikely under Entrapment By Estoppel that a new administration could come after you (but that’s not necessarily so for state governments):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZcPCCyVPE

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2. Electronic fingerprinting for Form 1 and Form 4

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I got my electronic fingerprints done at a select UPS store that offers that service using a kiosk. The advantage of electronic fingerprints is that you do the scan once and can then use that same scan repeatedly to purchase NFA items.

The cost of the electronic fingerprinting is $65. You schedule a time and date online to use the kiosk, including the current day.

1. To start, go to this website
   
   
2. Type in your zip code and click “Search” to find the nearest kiosks
   
   
3. There are other businesses that have kiosks besides UPS, so you may see other companies listed. Select the one you want to use
   
   
4. The store’s hours are displayed, along with a button to schedule your appointment to use the kiosk
   
   
5. After clicking the “Schedule” button, select “I don’t have a code”
   
   
6. Scroll down the list of fingerprint types until you see “ATF”. Click that button
   
   
7. An FBI Individual Rights Statement will appear, type in your name at the bottom under “Disclaimer Signature” and click “Next”
   
   
8. Fill in the information requested on the next pages, including your payment information
   
   
9. You will get an email in a few minutes with a QR code. Print out that email and go to the selected kiosk at your scheduled time. Bring the email printout, your driver’s license, and one other form of ID, such as your car registration, a utility bill, etc. Options for the second ID are listed during Step 8.
   
   
10. When you get to the kiosk, you will scan in the QR code on the email you printed out and enter your birthdate to confirm who you are. Someone from the store will verify that you have your driver’s license and an alternate form of ID. They will enable the kiosk to begin to do the fingerprint scan
    
    
11. You will then be prompted to do your fingerprints. 
12. First, you’ll scan each thumb. As you put your thumb or fingers on the pad during each scan, lower your hand until it is touching the metal border around the pad. That triggers the scan to begin and must be done for every scan. When done, press the arrow on the right to go to the next step
    
    
13. Second, you’ll scan your left hand with your four fingers on the pad. 
    
    
14. Third, you do your right-hand fingers
    
    
15. Fourth you scan each finger separately. Put the requested finger on the pad and wait for a beep. At that point your slowly roll your finger to the right and then to the left, creating a large, complete fingerprint. When you have done so, you can lift that finger off the pad. It should then put a miniature image of your print under the finger it had asked you to scan. The kiosk then selects the next finger it wants you to place on the pad and scan.
    
    
16. When you are done scanning your fingerprints at the kiosk, you are emailed a special encrypted file (EFT) that you can save on your computer (NOT on a cellphone!) and use it repeatedly on future Form 1s and Form 4s. When you wish to purchase an NFA item, you email the fingerprint file to the FFL who is doing the transfer and the FFL attaches the EFT file to the Form 4 and files everything electronically with ATF. Once your Form 4 is approved (could be in as little as one business day), you can head to the dealer to fill out a Form 4473 and take your item home with you. (A Form 1 is filled out by the individual making the SBR, SBS, AOW or suppressor. A Form 4 is for transfer of an item already in the NFRTR [National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record]).
    
    
17. If someone is making an NFA item and filing a Form 1 they cannot make it or assemble it until they receive the approval and they must have it engraved with the manufacturer’s name, city and state. If the Form 1 is filed as a trust, the trust name would be engraved. If filed as an individual, the person’s name would be engraved. If they are making and SBR or SBS from an existing firearm they would use the same serial number as the original firearm.

One more one-time thing: you will also need to create an account with ATF by clicking here. Select the “Register” button under “Create an Eforms Account”. You will then provide a user name, password, and a 4-digit pin. When a Form 4 transfer is filed, your eForms user name and pin will need to be entered as your digital signature. If you are filing as an individual, you will also need to answer questions, like when you purchase any firearm. If you are filing as a trust you will need to supply a Responsible Party Form for each responsible party listed on your trust agreement. You will also need to supply a passport-type photo in JPG format.

That’s it. The dealer will file the Form for you and will notify you when your approval has arrived so you can pick up your item after you fill out the usual Form 4473. If the item is a suppressor the NFA background check is all that is required. If the item is an SBR, SBS or AOW you will also need to fill out the Virginia form SP-65 and submit the regular NICS/VCHECK.