ATF adds "colorizing" as a manufacturing process

[Manedwolf]

So much for hardchroming and Duracoat services. Bluing, even! They just keep getting bigger and bigger, unchecked...

ATF has determined that both colorization and heat treating of firearms are
manufacturing processes.  The companies performing the processes are required
to be licensed as manufacturers.  If the companies providing colorization and/or
heat treating have not received variances to adopt the original manufacturers
markings, they would be required to place their own markings on any firearm on
which they perform the manufacturing process of colorization and/or heat
treating.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/firearmstech/081508manufacturing-of-firearms.pdf

[Brad Johnson]

What's next... Looking?  Handling?  Cleaning?
Brad

[Balog]

Oh geez, that's not good....... 


So if I buy a bake on finish from Brownell's am I now a manufacturer?

[The Annoyed Man]

This belongs in GGD over at THR.

I too am concerned about how far this carries.

[alex_trebek]

This belongs in GGD over at THR.

I too am concerned about how far this carries.

Already is in the law section.

I propose a solution.  Remember when the ATF started prosecuting people who sold 3 or 4 guns a year at gunshows?  In response to this people started applying for FFLs to avoid being harrassed.  The ATF couldn't handle to paper monster it created.

Even if you don't get the FFL, they still have to do the paper work.  So everyone who does dura-coating should apply for their manufacturing license, and see how long this regulation lasts.

[PTK]

What's funny is that the Colorado School of Trades reblues, parkerizes, etc., guns all the time, and they're just an 01 FFL and a gunsmithing FFL. 

[alex_trebek]

From what I understand of the discussion on THR is that this only applies to people who modify the finish of a gun they intend to sell.  I.E. a FFL (gun dealer) refinishes a remington 700 in camo, and then attempts to sell it.  This action would require a manufacturing license. 

Joe blow takes his remington 700 to a FFl (gun dealer) and has his finish redone in camo.  This does NOT require a manufacturing license.

[Manedwolf]

From what I understand of the discussion on THR is that this only applies to people who modify the finish of a gun they intend to sell.  I.E. a FFL (gun dealer) refinishes a remington 700 in camo, and then attempts to sell it.  This action would require a manufacturing license. 

Joe blow takes his remington 700 to a FFl (gun dealer) and has his finish redone in camo.  This does NOT require a manufacturing license.

Guns and Ammo Magazine's Surplus Special ran a thing a while ago about how to buy, refinish and sell milsurps. How to either cold-blue touchup minor bits, or that you could make your own garage hot bluing tank for about $200.

Then there's people who will Duracoat a gun for a friend.

And LOTS of people, even FFLs, will reblue or park scuffed-up guns in their possession before putting them out to sell, because it's a little work for a significant sales value.

And how do they know "intend to sell"? What if you refinish a gun, and then later decide to sell it? Was that "intent to sell"?

I can think of lots of ways ordinary people could get hung by this one...

And I'm not sure whether it's attempt to get more funds via more taxes, or just further discouraging of keeping existing guns in operating condition by allowing them to be easily refinished...i.e. removal of guns from the public through rust and other forms of attrition.

[Nick1911]

Does that mean I can start selling unfinished, stainless steel 1911 frames that haven't been heat treated as 80% receivers? 

[Tallpine]

Next thing you know, putting a sling or a scope on a gun will be "manufacturing" 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Does that mean I can start selling unfinished, stainless steel 1911 frames that haven't been heat treated as 80% receivers? 

I'll take 5.

 

[charby]

Next thing you know, putting a sling or a scope on a gun will be "manufacturing" 

seems like it, probably go after reloading next.

[alex_trebek]

From what I understand of the discussion on THR is that this only applies to people who modify the finish of a gun they intend to sell.  I.E. a FFL (gun dealer) refinishes a remington 700 in camo, and then attempts to sell it.  This action would require a manufacturing license. 

Joe blow takes his remington 700 to a FFl (gun dealer) and has his finish redone in camo.  This does NOT require a manufacturing license.

Guns and Ammo Magazine's Surplus Special ran a thing a while ago about how to buy, refinish and sell milsurps. How to either cold-blue touchup minor bits, or that you could make your own garage hot bluing tank for about $200.

Then there's people who will Duracoat a gun for a friend.

And LOTS of people, even FFLs, will reblue or park scuffed-up guns in their possession before putting them out to sell, because it's a little work for a significant sales value.

And how do they know "intend to sell"? What if you refinish a gun, and then later decide to sell it? Was that "intent to sell"?

I can think of lots of ways ordinary people could get hung by this one...

And I'm not sure whether it's attempt to get more funds via more taxes, or just further discouraging of keeping existing guns in operating condition by allowing them to be easily refinished...i.e. removal of guns from the public through rust and other forms of attrition.

I don't think the intention was towards normal people, not yet anyway.  From what I understand, they are just clarifying their position.  I have no idea how they plan to enforce this, but I bet it will involve a lot of headaches, paperwork, and harassment of law-abiding citizens.

[PTK]

Tallpine

Read the PDF. Adding a scope for the purpose of selling a firearm IS manufacturing - the BATFE counts anything that changes the gun for the purpose of resale to be such activity. 

[Tallpine]

Tallpine

Read the PDF. Adding a scope for the purpose of selling a firearm IS manufacturing - the BATFE counts anything that changes the gun for the purpose of resale to be such activity. 

Wow!  So that means the hardware store that I used to work for was manufacturing guns 

Worse yet - I was their primary scope installer and bore sighter

[Manedwolf]

I want someone to show the Hello Kitty gun at a press conference with ATF and ask them if that was considered manufacturing.

[The Annoyed Man]

Does that mean I can start selling unfinished, stainless steel 1911 frames that haven't been heat treated as 80% receivers? 

Do it. I'll have a dozen, as soon as I can get the money for buying all at the same time .