If you are into NFA stuff, you probably already know the issues that have plagued the system brought online to speed up the processing of ATF forms. For those who don't, here is a quick recap of what has happened since October of 2013.

The object of the eforms system was simple, to eliminate much of the administrative waste associated with the paper forms. Specifically, the snail mail, check cashing, and data entry. So they decided (about 5-10 years too late) to take advantage of something called the Internet. Sometime in October, the ATF activated the online system and started accepting forms 1,4 along with some others to test the functionality of the system.

Fast forward 3 or so months, and the forms were approved. Seasoned NFA buyers were excited as the paper forms during the same time period were taking at least double to be processed. While the rush to start using the eform system started and chatter about it grew, rumors started flying. While I was never able to confirm the validity, rumors were the 3 month turn around on the eforms would not be the norm. It was simply because the ATF wanted to test the system.

At any rate, everyone liked the new system as it eliminated the need to mail all the forms and use a paper check/money order. As more people started submitting forms the online system started experiencing problems. The site was constantly down for "daily maintenance" which seemed to last days or weeks at a time. It became a guessing game of checking the website and trying to login. If you were lucky enough to login, you would usually get some type of error or the site would be so slow you would eventually get frustrated and give up.

Fast forward a few months and the ATF posted announcements on the site about how FFLs/SOTs were causing the site problems by submitting the forms in batches. The announcement stated that going forward anyone who uploaded forms in batches would have their account suspended or revoked.

Shortly after that the entire system was taken offline with a message that stated:


Due to maintenance, the eForms system is unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.

In the interim, all imports forms (Forms 6 Part I and 6A), NFA forms (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10), and AFMER reports (Form 5300.11) must be submitted via paper, including any eForms in draft status.

As of around late February/early April the system is back online but the only option is to file a form 6 which is used for importation; something us civilians will never use. However, I did have a form 1 still in draft status. As I mentioned above, the system was always down or so slow that I was never able to completely submit it. I was able to successfully pay and submit my form 1 and it now in the queue to be processed. This makes me wish I had started a few other "drafts" in the event I want to submit any other form 1s until the rest of the system is back online.


In conclusion, none of this really surprises me. If we look historically at anything the government tries to do on a large scale it always fails. USPS, mortgages, the heathcare website... the list goes on. I still have a form 4 that needs to be submitted for a suppressor and at this time I don't have much choice than to send it via snail mail. The only good thing about this mess is that I have enough NFA stuff to hold me over while I wait 11+ months for the paper forms to come back.