Gun owners who have spent years navigating the paperwork jungle of the National Firearms Act just got some long-overdue good news.
The ATF is proposing to remove the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) notification requirement from Form 1, the paperwork used when making an NFA item such as a suppressor, short-barreled rifle, or other regulated firearm.
It’s one of the last remnants of early twentieth-century bureaucracy that never made much sense. The CLEO notification rule never granted local police any authority; it simply added another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy. Now it appears that this requirement is finally being eliminated.
What’s Changing
The ATF published a list of proposed changes in the Federal Register. Among the usual updates and formatting fixes, one entry stood out:
“Removing the CLEO notification requirement and copy.”
In plain terms, this means that when you file a Form 1 as an individual or a trust, you will no longer need to send a copy to your local sheriff or police chief.
Here are some of the other proposed updates:
- The title of the form will be clarified.
- The photo box will be removed, allowing applicants to attach either a passport-style photo or a valid photo ID.
- Race and ethnicity items will be combined.
- Electronic and digital signatures will be accepted.
- References to eForms and Pay.gov will be added to streamline processing.
- Refund instructions will be included.
- Form 1 copies will now auto-populate to reduce data entry errors.
- New instructions will be added for married couples who are jointly making or registering an NFA item.
- Updated contact emails will be provided: [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
The ATF will hold these proposed changes open for 30 days of public comment before they become official.
Why It Matters
Removing CLEO notification is more than a minor administrative fix; it’s a small but meaningful rollback of unnecessary oversight. For years, the rule has allowed some jurisdictions to create informal registries or collect data on law-abiding citizens completing NFA paperwork. By removing the requirement, the ATF eliminates that risk.
It also acknowledges that the process needs modernization. The NFA system was designed long before electronic forms and digital payments existed. This update moves it slightly closer to the 21st century.
Looking Ahead
In 2023, more than 280,000 Form 1 applications were filed. That number is expected to rise sharply once the proposed removal of the $200 tax stamp takes effect, particularly among suppressor owners.
The next question is whether the ATF will make a similar change to Form 4, the document used when transferring NFA items like suppressors and SBRs. Consumers still face the outdated CLEO notification requirement on transfers, even though it serves no real purpose.
For now, this update is a win for gun owners, builders, and NFA enthusiasts who are tired of redundant steps and unnecessary government interference.
Final Thoughts
The CLEO notification rule was a relic of a bygone era, part of a system that prioritized bureaucratic authority over citizen rights. Its removal marks a rare instance of the ATF actually reducing paperwork and making life easier for lawful gun owners.
It may be a small victory, but it’s progress, and it’s been a long time coming.
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