My buddy has an MP5 SDP select-fire he wants to sell me, said he'd ship it to me first to see if I like it. How does that work legally? Do I have to do a transfer and pay the $200 NFA transfer fee or can he just notify the ATF that he's transferring it to CO (he's in OK)?

I wanna play with this baby for a while but I wanna do it legal.

then it may have to go through someone with an FFL for CLass-3. I'd suggest contacting your local ATF branch to get an answer that'll keep you out of the Federal Hotel.

I also suggest you do what it takes as that would be an outstanding addtion to your collection, you bastard. :-)

as much as that frightens me. I've got a Class 3 dealer that's an acquaintance and will do all the paperwork.

Hopefully my buddy will hook me up, last I saw those things were going for like $15K and I'd rather have a GSXR1000.

If it's not pre-86, you're not gonna be able to take possession of it without having a class 3 license. Either way, it's gonna have to go to a class 3 dealer for the transfer.

If you pass, seriously drop me a line... I've been wanting a registered receiver M-16, but...

Find out whether it's a registered receiver, registered sear, or post-86 dealer sample. As snoogins said, you can't have it if it's a dealer sample. Registered sear is most likely, which scares me a bit just 'cuz it's a little freaking metal piece.

guy hasn't updated in forever, but...<ul><li><a href="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/index.html">http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/index.html</a></li></ul>

If I pass I'll let you know

The shipment must be to a FFL that will do class 3 transfers in your state. He can ship the weapon to your FFL from his FFL, and that is okay. You can't legally take possession of the weapon until you complete the transfer process locally. Your local FFL will hold the gun until all paperwork is done.

And. FYI, even when travelling within your state with your class3 gun, you need to have paperwork showing its legally owned, even then you can be arrested for possessing it and the firearms can be confiscated on a local level as some states have laws against possessing automatic weapons although the NFA allows. The case will likely get throw out, but your still hauled off to jail.

You call the ATF and tell them your buddy wants to break the NFA with a full auto by shipping it across state lines and they'd have cause to open up an investigation. Serious can of ****. BAD IDEA.

If you want to shoot it, he needs to ship it to a local FFL class 3 who can hold it and let you shoot it at their range. Typically someone who has post samples and dealer samples will hold the weapon. It can't really leave their supervision as they could loose their liscence.

an issue.

I'm not quibbling with the "don't do it" (and your statements are consistent with my understanding of NFA rules) but I also don't think GV was gonna call up and say "I'm breaking the law is that ok?"

Its his buddy who is suggesting doing something really wrong with his class3. Which would put his ownership in jeopardy with the ATF.
If you own a class 3 the only people that are supposed to supervise it are FFLs, law enforcement, yourself, or mail carriers in proper packages sent express mail.

Packaging it up and sending it express mail is okay, but sending it to not one of the above 3 parties is not okay and would be considered irresponsible stewardship in violation of the Firearms act. 250,000 fine and 10 years. Owning a class3 is quirky, for instance if you're robbed and a class3 is stolen, and they find you don't have a locked safe or vault. They will give you a ticket.

Say you want to take your own guns to Knob Hill. You have to get BATF approval for each gun that you are taking and what state lines you are crossing.