FOIA

[Greg]

How difficult is it to do a FOIA on my Thompson? Where would one go to get the form and info? I think I should do it for the history purposes of my gun. Whats the hive's thoughts??

[RoscoeTurner]

There is a thread on here about that, you can find it using the search function.

 

I did a FOIA search on two of my Thompsons and with all the redactions in the information it wasn't worth the time getting it. About all I could determine was how many times they had been transfered based on the number of forms, all the name information is redacted so you won't gain any of that information.

[Z3BigDaddy]

I would do it. It gives you a great timeline to work from even with redactions. Look at my webpage under the timeline as 90% of it came from my FOIA request. Now I just have 50 years to fill in from 1922 to 1972. I just followed the guidelines here and it worked great. Thompson #315

 

edit for link... FOIA Instructions

Edited November 28, 2012 by Z3BigDaddy

[bmarvin]

A freedom of information is useful to determine when and how a gun came into the registry.

If it first appeared on a form 5 it came from a police department.

Often times the first for will be the amnesty form from 1968

Brian

[Robert Henley]

I take it from the sample letter in the link to the above post that you have to own the gun? I've got a WWII gun coming to me but am waiting for BATF approval. If I wanted to do a FOIA request on it I guess I have to wait until the transfer is approved? The sample letter indicates to the effect not to exceed $100. Is that a typical cost or what are some typical costs? Robert

[SecondAmend]

Robert,

Yes, you have to be the owner. The transfer tax makes it tax related information, hence it must be your gun and the prior ownership information is redacted.

 

I've had FOIA replies run from free (generally under 12 pages) to over $30 (25-30 pages). The BATFE has a formula for how much work has to be done and the level (hence pay) of the staff that does the work to determine the cost the reply cost.

 

Best of luck with your request and enjoy the Thompson!

[EM1/SS]

I've done three or four and they have never cost me anything.

[TD.]

You must own your gun before ATF will process a FOIA request. Wait until the transfer is complete. The $100 is an arbitrary amount. You can change it to anything you want. I typically use $25. That said, I have never had or seen a charge for a FOIA request. I have never sent a notarized request. The listed fax number is different from the one I use and the mailing address is not complete. I would call the ATF Disclosure Division at 202-648-8740 and get the current fax number and complete mailing address. Addresses and fax numbers have a way of changing in the DC area. I like submitting the FOIA request via fax with my complete contact information as part of the request in case they need to contact me.

[Gio]

I didn't have a charge with about 25 pages. I did have mine notarized didn't want to give them something to kick it back. Was suprised on the time only took about three weeks.

 

Good luck

Frank

[giantpanda4]

I read this sample form again. I did submit one several years ago, and the info was great. However, if I wanted info on three guns, would it be prudent to send three letters or modify the form to request info on all 3 in one request?

[TD.]

I would send three separate requests about a week or so apart. The last thing you want is some clerk mixing up the redacted forms between three guns. Keep the paperwork separate!

[darrylta]

I've done up to (2) at a time without any fees or mix ups.

-Darryl

[bartomark]

I recently took posession of my #s matching Savage Thompson . it has a NAC stamped after the orig serial number. I want to do a FOIA request but dont know if it will just include the history after the NAC suffix was stamped. Does anyone have any experience with this..

[jim c 351]

I recently took posession of my #s matching Savage Thompson . it has a NAC stamped after the orig serial number. I want to do a FOIA request but dont know if it will just include the history after the NAC suffix was stamped. Does anyone have any experience with this..

 

Mark,

Go foreward with the FOIA. That will end all speculation and guessing.

In the case of my 28A1, the FOIA showed that International Arms imported my TSMG. A few years later it was transfered to Numrich. While at Numrich some a--h--e stamped NAC after the serial number, for reasons that escape me.

It then transfered from Numrich to a PD on a form5.

I won't be shocked if your FOIA turns up a similar story.

Jim C