Today, Deputy Assistant Director Marvin Richardson issued a letter to eForm users advising on the future of the eForms system. You can download a copy of the letter here.
After citing to a 380% increase in form applications since 2005 and a 1000% increase in eForm usage from 2013, Assistant Director Richardson explains that eForms is here to stay and that ATF is taking steps to immediately decrease processing times, including:
- Staffing 7 days a week to process forms;
- Hiring 15 additional staff to assist in processing NFA applications and an additional 15 staff members being cross-trained to assist in NFA application processing;
- Staff from across ATF is being recruited to assist in the backlog;
- Hiring a new computer company to assist in fixing the eForms system;
- Limiting routine maintenance of the eForms system to once a week (Wednesday);
- Turning the eForms system back online this week for processing ATF Form 6 and Form 6A applications, with Form 1, 2, 5, 9, 5300.11 and 10’s again being accepted in the weeks to come; and
- To weekly monitor the process being made on the backlog to ensure that it is being reduced!
Assistant Director Richardson closes the letter by stating
ATF and industry have benefitted from the eForms and ATF remains fully committed to its success and to the reduction of the backlog in paper and eForms applications. The steps outlined above reflect ATF’s commitments, and we will ensure that our industry colleagues remain informed of our progress and have the opportunity to provide input on eForms enhancements.
Looks like eForms is here to stay!
Published by Joshua Prince, Esq.
With our 2nd Amendment rights being attacked at both the Federal and State level, and the ATF (Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) trying to close down FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) for minor infractions while making FFLs the scapegoat when the ATF's records are inaccurate, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am one of only a handful of attorneys across the US that practices in the niche area of law known as firearms law. I decided to concentrate my legal practice on firearms law not only because I am a shooter and firearms enthusiast, but also to ensure that our inalienable Right to Keep and Bear Arms is never encroached upon.
I handle cases at the Federal and State level for both FFLs and individuals. At the federal and state levels for individuals, I actively defend the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 21 of the PA Constitution, as well as, help individuals with:
- License to Carry Firearms Denials;
- Challenges to Erroneous PICS Denials;
- Relief from Firearms Disabilities;
- Estate Planning Advice;
- Gun/NFA Trusts; and
- 42 USC 1983 Actions for Deprivation of Civil Rights
At both the state and federal levels, I represent FFLs and SOTs throughout Pennsylvania and the US regarding:
- ATF Compliance Inspections;
- Warning Letters and Hearings;
- FFL Revocations;
- Corporate Structure Advice
- Indoor/Outdoor Range Implementation; and
- Forfeiture Proceedings
In following my love for firearms and firearms law, I have taught several Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on Firearms in Estates and Trusts and Firearms Law 101 for several Bar Associations, including Berks, Cumberland, and Dauphin Counties. I also planned and taught several Firearms in Estates CLE classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI).
While at Widener Law School, I was a member of the Widener Law Journal. I wrote an article on the Inaccuracy of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). I also had an article published on Fee Disputes in Workers Compensation cases in the Widener Law Journal, Volume 18, No. 2.
You can often find me posting on several internet forums, including Subguns, Uzitalk, AR15, and PAFOA. I also hold PA Firearms Law classes for local ranges to inform the public on the firearm laws of the Commonwealth.
Following in my father's footsteps, I am also a Board member for the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL).
View all posts by Joshua Prince, Esq.
Prince Law Offices Blog 
Any word on Form 3 or 4’s?
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Any word on form 3’s & 4’s?
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From the letter, the implication is that the bulk of eforms have been forms 3/4, and that it has simply overwhelmed the system. As a result, they’re suspending efiling of forms 3/4 until they are able to complete upgrades to the system.
Reading between the lines, it sounds like they don’t currently have the server capacity to handle the load, so they’ve cut off the bulk of the load in order to keep the system functional while they increase capacity.
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One would think that if the forms 3/4 are the bulk of the back log, the system should be turned on for those forms and force paper filing of the remaining forms. it makes no sense to bring a system on line to process the demand of a lesser requested item. Forms 3/4 will continue to backlog even with the additional help being brought on board. Just a continuation of our government agencies thinking backwards. Hopefully they get it worked out and back on track.
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