Author: Merting

Robert was raised in the pine forests of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. He is a graduate of Wofford College and received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Washington and Lee University. An avid hunter, shooting sports enthusiast and outdoorsman, Robert has built his law practice with a focus on firearms law and the legal structures required for the purchase and protection of firearms. Previously, he worked as in-house counsel to a large defense contractor, from which he brings a depth of business knowledge to his clients. Robert lives in the Upstate and practices law from his office in Greenville, South Carolina.

Lost Forms?

Posted onJuly 3, 2013AuthorMerting

In the NFA world, the ATF is notorious for poor record keeping. With the advent of computers and databases one would expect these problems to be under control. Unfortunately this is not the case and the ATF continues to lose NFA firearm registration forms. The effect can range from merely a nuisance to devastating depending Read More …

Any Other Weapon?

Posted onMay 28, 2013AuthorMerting

‘Any Other Weapon’ is the catch all used in the National Firearms Act. This category was designed to catch anything that was not a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or one of the NFA regulated categories. So what falls into this category? Well it is broad, but I’ll try to give a variety of samples here. Pen Read More …

Changes to the NFA?

Posted onMay 10, 2013AuthorMerting

Lately the NFA world has been abuzz about potential changes to ATF regulations. Unlike laws, regulations are created not by Congress but by the agency in charge of administering the law. In this case those agencies are the BATFE (or ATF) and the Department of Justice. The President’s push for new gun control laws has Read More …

What if I move?

Posted onApril 16, 2013April 16, 2013AuthorMerting

The NFA transfer process takes time, and in today’s world a lot can happen in nine months. Clients commonly ask me what happens if they move out of state while a transfer is pending approval. Well, if properly prepared for, the move won’t affect the transfer. If not prepared for then you will have to Read More …

Manufacturing via a Form 1

Posted onMarch 21, 2013April 5, 2013AuthorMerting

Many times I am asked about how a trust (or the settlor) can change an AR-15 rifle into a legal Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR). The process is easy, albeit long and exact. If your Trust wishes to manufacture a NFA firearm rather than purchase one, it will need to file a Form 1. The Form 1 must Read More …