What fingerprints do I need to buy a machine gun?

Same as any NFA item - FD-258 fingerprint cards converted to EFT format for eForms submission. Machine gun transfers use Form 4, identical to suppressor transfers.

How long does a machine gun transfer take?

Machine gun Form 4 transfers process through the same ATF queue as suppressors. eForms typically takes 30-90 days. Given the high value of machine guns, some people prefer paper forms for documentation, which take 6-12 months.

Machine Gun Fingerprints: Pre-86 Transferable MG Requirements

Q: Can civilians own machine guns?

Yes, but only pre-May 1986 transferable machine guns can be purchased by civilians. These are registered weapons that existed before the Hughes Amendment closed the registry. They are expensive ($10,000-$500,000+) due to limited supply.

Updated January 2026 10 min read

Buying a pre-86 machine gun is the pinnacle of NFA collecting. Here's everything you need to know about fingerprint requirements for machine gun transfers.

Can Civilians Own Machine Guns?

Yes, but with significant limitations.

The Hughes Amendment (1986) closed the machine gun registry. Only machine guns registered before May 19, 1986 can be transferred to civilians. These are called:

Transferable machine guns
Pre-86 registered
Pre-May samples (dealer only)

What This Means

Limited supply (~175,000 registered transferables)
High prices ($10,000 to $500,000+)
Same Form 4 process as suppressors
Same fingerprint requirements

Fingerprint Requirements

Machine gun fingerprint requirements are identical to other NFA items:

What You Need

FD-258 fingerprint card
Converted to EFT format for eForms
OR physical cards for paper filing

Individual vs Trust

Individual: Your fingerprints only
Trust: All responsible persons' fingerprints

Your existing EFT file works - same file you used for suppressors.

Transfer Process

Form 4 (Same as Suppressor)

Find a transferable machine gun for sale
Purchase from Class III dealer (SOT)
Complete Form 4 on ATF eForms
Upload EFT fingerprints
Pay tax ($200, or $0 in 2026)
Wait for approval
Take possession from dealer

eForms vs Paper for Machine Guns

Some MG buyers prefer paper forms because:

Physical documentation for high-value item
Some dealers more comfortable with paper
Personal preference

But eForms is much faster (30-90 days vs 6-12 months).

What to Expect

Pricing (2026 Estimates)

MAC-10/11: $10,000-$15,000
Uzi: $18,000-$25,000
HK MP5: $35,000-$50,000
M16: $35,000-$45,000
HK G3: $30,000-$40,000
Belt-fed (M60, etc.): $50,000-$100,000+

Prices increase over time as supply is fixed and demand grows.

Additional Costs

Tax stamp: $0 (2026) or $200
Fingerprints + EFT: ~$20-50
Ammo: Significant (full-auto burns through ammo)
Insurance: Recommended for high-value items

State Restrictions

Not all states allow machine gun ownership:

States Banning Machine Guns

California
Delaware (most)
Hawaii
Illinois (mostly)
Iowa
New York
Washington (recent)
And others - verify your state

Always confirm current state law before purchasing.

Ready for Your Machine Gun?

Same EFT file works for all NFA items including MGs.

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