One of the things we pride ourselves on is that we offer a free NFA trust to all of our customers. Yes, you can buy a suppressor as an individual, or you can buy one under a trust. The trust gives you more freedoms with what you do with your suppressor, and who can use it. We are such fans of it that it became an essential part of the Silencer Central business model. We offer a free NFA trust setup when you purchase your suppressor. This is something that otherwise, you would need to hire an attorney to do, and the cost would be quite a bit.
We get a lot of questions about NFA trusts. You can watch the video linked above and then read through this article to find some of your common NFA trust questions answered by the Silencer Central team.
What is a settlor on an NFA Trust?
A settlor is going to be the person that establishes the trust when purchasing a suppressor through our silencer central process. On other trusts, you may see this as initial trustee, grantor, or trustee.
The settlor is pivotal because they establish the NFA trust and initiate the purchase of NFA items, such as suppressors. This role is crucial as the trust’s legal foundation depends on the settlor’s authority, making them the primary decision-maker at the trust’s formation. Knowing this clarifies who holds initial control and responsibility for the trust
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By buying a suppressor as part of a trust, it gives you the flexibility to decide who can use your suppressor, and who winds up inheriting it down the road.
What is an NFA Trust successor?
A successor is someone that is appointed by the settllor on the NFA trust to execute what is planned for the NFA items after the settlor were to perish or become incapacitated. Usually this is someone that is really trusted by the settlor such as a spouse or a family member.
A successor’s importance in continuity cannot be overlooked. Appointing a trustworthy successor ensures the NFA items are properly managed after the settlor’s death or incapacitation. This role safeguards the trust’s assets and ensures continuity, which is vital because NFA items are heavily regulated and cannot be transferred or used without proper authorization. Having a clear successor prevents legal and operational complications.
What is a co-trustee?
A co-trustee is a responsible person who can use an NFA firearm owned by the trust for all lawful purposes. They must not be a prohibited person, and our trusts allow additions and removals with the settlor's signature on a simple document.
Co-trustees have the ability to use the trust’s NFA firearms lawfully, expanding access beyond the settlor. The trust’s provision allows easy addition or removal of co-trustees with a simple signature. This gives flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances. This can include adding family members or trusted friends without complex legal processes. This feature enhances convenience while maintaining legal compliance.
What is a beneficiary?
A beneficiary in context of a trust is an individual or entity entitled to benefits or property from the trust. Beneficiaries can be family members,friends, or other individuals.
Beneficiaries represent the individuals or entities entitled to benefits from the trust after the settlor’s passing. Identifying beneficiaries is a key aspect of estate planning, ensuring that NFA property is passed on according to the settlor’s wishes. This highlights how NFA trusts are not only for compliance. They also serve as a tool for legacy and estate management. We have another blog post that delves into how a suppressor is passed to a beneficiary, which you can find here.
Suppressors are legal to own in 42 states. We are here to answer all of your suppressor questions, so please reach out and ask if you're unsure of anything. We are happy to help!
Why we provide NFA trusts
When he first started Silencer Central, CEO Brandon Maddox immediately saw the value in going forward with an NFA trust versus individual applications to the ATF. As part of his efforts to simplify the entire process, he brought in the legal means to provide a free trust with every purchase. It wasn't done as a marketing gimmick, but it does make things smoother and easier in the end because it gives you as the buyer of a suppressor enhanced flexibility.
Including a free NFA gun trust with every suppressor purchase adds significant value and adds to your customer experience with Silencer Central. NFA trusts can be complex and costly to set up independently, so this incentive reduces barriers and encourages legal compliance while simplifying the purchasing process.
Still have a question about an NFA Trust?
Feel free to contact our customer service team with any questions about NFA Trusts, the buying process, the suppressors themselves, or any other suppressor topic we can help you with.
Silencer Central offers a wide range of suppressors for every need. You have the option to buy under a trust, which as we said is 100% free and easy to set up. You can also buy as an individual. The approval times are roughly the same these days.
From a dealer, such as Silencer Central, you need to be 21 years of age or older to purchase a suppressor. However, to buy one from an individual, or to be listed on a trust, you need to be at least 18 years old.
Yes, it is perfectly legal to own a silencer, or suppressor, in any of the 42 states that allow it. There is currently an application process and a few other steps, but in the 42 states where it is legal, you have always been able to own a suppressor.
No, you do not need any special license to own a suppressor. You will need to file the correct paperwork and obtain the Federal tax Stamp, but Silencer Central helps you through the entire process and makes it simple and pain free.
No. You still fully retain all the rights granted to you by the Constitution. In fact, owning and using a suppressor for soothing like shooting or hunting is not enough to provide probable cause for any sort of search, although we do suggest you carry a copy of your tax stamp with you when you do use it.
Yes, you can still allow your friend to shoot your suppressor if you don't have a trust. You would need to be in physical attendance though. A trust allows a person listed on the trust to use the suppressor as if it were their own.
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
