Class 3 License & How to Become a Dealer

by Ryan Cleckner | Last updated Oct 1, 2026

How to Get a Class 3 License First, let’s clear up a common misconception: there really is no such thing as a “Class 3 License.” Instead, someone who has a Federal Firearms License, must become a Special Occupational Taxpayer (SOT) in order to deal,...

NFA Approval Times Getting Faster!

by Ryan Cleckner | Last updated Oct 1, 2026

We’ve got some great news for the firearms industry: ATF processing times for NFA paperwork have dropped significantly compared to previous years. We have even better news for you if you already have your FFL: this is likely to encourage more customers to buy...

SOT License Guide [2026] – Everything You Need to Know

by Ryan Cleckner | Last updated Sep 30, 2026

An SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer) is an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) that makes or sells NFA firearms (silencers, machine guns, short barreled rifles, etc). The SOT is a “taxpayer” because they pay a special annual tax in order to deal with a...

NFA Firearms, Forms, and Revenue Statistics

by Ryan Cleckner | Last updated Sep 30, 2026

Welcome to the mother-load of ATF-related data on NFA firearms! Each year the ATF publishes a report that includes data on the number of firearms in commerce (made, exported, and imported) and statistics on NFA firearms (forms, revenue, and distribution) and FFLs...