ATF rule change makes buying suppressors and automatic weapons easier

As part of the increased background check requirements announced by President Obama Tuesday, one ATF rule change makes it easier for Americans to buy certain restricted items.

Under previous ATF rules, a person who wanted to buy a suppressor (silencer), fully automatic weapon, short-barreled rifle or a short-barreled shotgun, had to first get signed approval from the local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO). Alternatively, the buyer could set up a legal trust to purchase the item, bypassing the need for the CLEO certification.

Under the new rules signed January 4, 2016 by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, anyone purchasing a restricted item through a trust will have to go through a full criminal background check. However, the new ATF rules also eliminate the CLEO certification that was previously required. Instead, the purchaser would simply need to inform local law enforcement of their ATF application.

The rule change effectively eliminates the ability of a local sheriff to block the purchase of such items.

The new rules will go into effect 180 days after the final order is entered into the Federal Registry.