Louisiana NFA Trust
$125
Purchase a Louisiana NFA Trust preparation service, then complete the secure post-purchase intake. Your completed Word document is generated automatically and delivered through a private customer download link.
Add NFA Trust to cartWhat is an NFA Trust?
An NFA Trust is a legal trust created under state law to acquire, hold, and manage firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act. When a trust is used for an ATF Form 1 or Form 4 application, the trust is the applicant or transferee rather than one individual.
People who have authority under the trust to direct its firearms-related decisions or to receive, possess, transport, transfer, or otherwise manage its NFA firearms may be considered responsible persons. Each responsible person must meet the applicable ATF requirements. A beneficiary is not automatically a responsible person merely because they are named as a beneficiary; the person’s authority under the trust and applicable law matters.
Filing as a Trust vs. Filing as an Individual
| Consideration | Individual | NFA Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant or transferee | One individual is listed as the applicant or transferee and registrant. | The trust is listed as the applicant or transferee and becomes the registrant. |
| People involved | The filing is based on one person. It does not create additional co-registrants. | The trust may name trustees or other people with authority over trust property. Anyone who qualifies as a responsible person must satisfy ATF requirements. |
| Application documents | The individual submits the required application information, photograph, fingerprints, and certifications. ATF Form 5320.23 is not required for an individual applicant. | A complete trust and any amendments must accompany the application. Each responsible person generally submits ATF Form 5320.23 along with the required photograph, fingerprints, and certifications. |
| Background checks | The individual applicant is subject to the required background check. | Each responsible person associated with the trust is subject to the required background check. |
| Ongoing administration | Usually simpler because there is no separate trust document to maintain. | The trust must remain valid and accurate. Amendments, trustee changes, and succession should follow the trust terms and applicable state and federal law. |
| Succession planning | The firearm is handled through the individual’s estate under applicable NFA and state-law procedures. | The trust can provide written instructions for successor trustees and beneficiaries, which may help organize long-term management and distribution. |
| ATF review | The application generally involves fewer entity documents for ATF to review. | ATF must review the trust and responsible-person materials. ATF advises that trust applications involve additional review and may take longer. |
| Tax and approval | The applicable NFA tax and prior ATF approval requirements apply. | The same applicable NFA tax and prior ATF approval requirements apply. A trust is not a way to bypass the NFA process. |
Which option may fit? Individual filing may suit someone who wants the simplest structure and does not need trust-based management or succession planning. A trust may suit someone who wants a documented plan for multiple eligible trustees or future succession and is comfortable maintaining the trust and completing the additional paperwork.
Learn more from the ATF: responsible persons and Final Rule 41F and NFA questions and answers.
1. Purchase
Add the $125 virtual service to your cart and complete checkout.
2. Submit information
Use the secure link in your order confirmation to complete the Louisiana trust intake form.
3. Generate and download
Your completed Word document is generated automatically and a private seven-day download link is emailed to you.
Information you will need
- Your proposed trust name and planned signing date
- Your full legal name and mailing address
- Your Louisiana parish
- One optional additional initial trustee
- Beneficiary and alternate beneficiary name(s)