List of FFL's doing SN engraving

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • RRomig

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 30, 2021
    1,975
    Burtonsville MD
    Well mine already has my city and state , my full name not just initials and a unique number I sent out to have professionally engraved to ATF spec and actually to the California requirements (although California has to issue you a serial number) prior to milling it out a year ago just in case Maryland did this. Plus I have model, caliber, etc engraved to make it look official. I keep hearing mixed opinions on this. I was told by someone I just have to fill out a 77R and use the serial number I put on it. I guess the big question I'd does city and state suffice as location or does it absolutely need the zip code? In the ATF and California specifications, it's city and state. Or most other places that regulate this. Nobody ever puts a zip code on their recievers. Trouble is I'm not sure what to do because the new law targets unserialized recievers. Mine are but just not officially on any books. And I did this just in case they were regulated in the future and allows identification marks to law enforcement if lost or stolen . And this was all done before any law on them was passed. Thinking about it more, an FFL marking it with another serial number might be a Grey area. Or if my serial number was obliterated for a new one, then thats a big Grey area for me and the business doing the work. Or I'm not sure if I should try to fill out a 77R with my current serial number and see if goes through? Or would that risk legal trouble doing that?
    If it meets ATF standards Go on Md state police web site and do the voluntary registration.
     

    asdaven

    Active Member
    Oct 30, 2013
    272
    Maryland
    If it meets ATF standards Go on Md state police web site and do the voluntary registration.
    What's the worst that could happen? It could be denied? Do I need a HQL to fill out the 77R? This not a handgun nor is a regulated firearm per SB 281. The MSP website contradicts itself and says all 77R forms require an HQL but then says the HQL is only required if it's a handgun.

    But thinking about it, really adding another serial number or changing the serial number even if not a registered serial number is possible a violation of federal law. Or at the least a big Grey area. So I maybe better if seeing if the paperwork will go through as it with the serial number I put on it.
     
    Last edited:

    Bob A

    όυ φροντισ
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Nov 11, 2009
    31,225
    The whole point of 80% receivers was to avoid government registration and, ultimately, confiscation.

    If I had an 80% firearm, which I do not, I'd keep it somewhere safe and keep my mouth shut.
     

    Allen65

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 29, 2013
    7,208
    Anne Arundel County
    But thinking about it, really adding another serial number or changing the serial number even if not a registered serial number is possible a violation of federal law. Or at the least a big Grey area. So I maybe better if seeing if the paperwork will go through as it with the serial number I put on it.
    ATF says:

    § 478.34 Removed, obliterated, or altered serial number.


    No person shall knowingly transport, ship, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered, or possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.


    Note the regulation is silent about forbidding additional markings.

    IIRC importers have, from time to time, added serial numbers of their own to imported firearms that already had identifying marks, including serial numbers.

    Maybe one of our resident lawyers can chime in, but I see nothing in the ATF regs forbidding someone who happens to hold an FFL01, 07, or 08 from adding more markings to a firearm for state compliance purposes, as long as doing so wouldn't affect existing ATF-mandated markings.
     

    Sundazes

    Throbbing Member
    MDS Supporter
    Nov 13, 2006
    21,897
    Arkham
    ATF says:

    § 478.34 Removed, obliterated, or altered serial number.


    No person shall knowingly transport, ship, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered, or possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.


    Note the regulation is silent about forbidding additional markings.

    IIRC importers have, from time to time, added serial numbers of their own to imported firearms that already had identifying marks, including serial numbers.

    Maybe one of our resident lawyers can chime in, but I see nothing in the ATF regs forbidding someone who happens to hold an FFL01, 07, or 08 from adding more markings to a firearm for state compliance purposes, as long as doing so wouldn't affect existing ATF-mandated markings.
    I have had many C&R's over the years that had the importers SN engraved in them.
     

    asdaven

    Active Member
    Oct 30, 2013
    272
    Maryland
    ATF says:

    § 478.34 Removed, obliterated, or altered serial number.


    No person shall knowingly transport, ship, or receive in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered, or possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.


    Note the regulation is silent about forbidding additional markings.

    IIRC importers have, from time to time, added serial numbers of their own to imported firearms that already had identifying marks, including serial numbers.

    Maybe one of our resident lawyers can chime in, but I see nothing in the ATF regs forbidding someone who happens to hold an FFL01, 07, or 08 from adding more markings to a firearm for state compliance purposes, as long as doing so wouldn't affect existing ATF-mandated markings.
    Very true. But this isn't an imported weapon. It's never changed hands, gone through a importer, a dealer, or a manufacturer other than me.

    The problem with two serial numbers is then if the gun comes under question...which one is the serial number? Would you have it engraved to indicate the second serial number is for the State of Maryland? And could it still be considered altering the original serial number by adding an extra serial number that causes confusion? I don't know. Or intent to change the serial number of the gun?

    I'm still wondering if I can just use the serial number I already have. The numbers I've used are not on any of other firearms and they were marked well before this law came about . Along with that, they were already serialized at the time this law took effect and therefore were not unserialized. Thinking about just filling out the 77R for one of them and see if it goes through. And if it's denied and I need a second serial number so be it. I don't know if City and State is fine instead of the zip code. The zip code is a weird one. Don't know why or who came up with that. Zip codes are used mostly for mail. ATF specifications is City and State.
     

    FHJ69

    Active Member
    Mar 13, 2011
    458
    Upper PDRMC
    Question - Do y'all think a non-FFL holder (pending) can engrave 80% before any work was done to them? I know that this idea will be moot soon, but is it good at this time?
     

    beetles

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 19, 2021
    682
    Very true. But this isn't an imported weapon. It's never changed hands, gone through a importer, a dealer, or a manufacturer other than me.

    The problem with two serial numbers is then if the gun comes under question...which one is the serial number? Would you have it engraved to indicate the second serial number is for the State of Maryland? And could it still be considered altering the original serial number by adding an extra serial number that causes confusion? I don't know. Or intent to change the serial number of the gun?

    I'm still wondering if I can just use the serial number I already have. The numbers I've used are not on any of other firearms and they were marked well before this law came about . Along with that, they were already serialized at the time this law took effect and therefore were not unserialized. Thinking about just filling out the 77R for one of them and see if it goes through. And if it's denied and I need a second serial number so be it. I don't know if City and State is fine instead of the zip code. The zip code is a weird one. Don't know why or who came up with that. Zip codes are used mostly for mail. ATF specifications is City and State.
    Zip code is more specific than city and state and is only 5 digits in its basic form, which is useful when the length of the engraved legend must be fitted into a small panel on a small object. Also in databases, it is a searchable object. Having more than one serial number is no problem, each is tied to a regulated article and to the name of the person buying (or building, as the case here applies) the firearm.
     

    asdaven

    Active Member
    Oct 30, 2013
    272
    Maryland
    I might have a lead on somewhere else that does firearms engraving. Hanover Armory in Hanover, MD. They do engraving but contacted them and they said they will do it but have been told by MSP to "wait for further guidance". I did try to contact MSP and while they were somewhat helpful, I think they too are waiting for clarification on this law. Just kinda got the run around and basically sent me the law to read. Very confusing language cause they omitted language in some parts and how it reads with the omitted language. For example, something to the effect "that the serial number should be three followed by another number". I basically couldn't get a yes or no about my reciever already being serialized. Honestly they should make an exception for it because some people do engrave their recievers and the ATF original stance was they reccomended it but wasn't required. I'd honestly wait on engraving until every one has figured it all out. No sense in paying money just to have to do it again cause it's wrong.

    The 77R is a little confusing to fill out because it deals focuses on regulated weapons and handguns. And assumes it's a handgun and you need your HQL. My builds are not handguns nor regulated firearms.
     
    Last edited:

    mvee

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 13, 2007
    2,493
    Crofton
    Are the rules from the ATF out yet? Could a Maryland or even an out of state FFL engrave our firearms with newly required by the ATF markings? This should satisfy Maryland requirements
     

    ironpony

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 8, 2013
    7,313
    Davidsonville
    I’m going to ask the FFL in Edgewater about it, MD kicked back one of my 77R’s because I put self-employed as an occupation lol. However, that worked for the carry permit … just jumping through the hoops.

    Moral dilemma, I want to destroy my first AR because it just looks like shit, but will run like a boss! As a woodworker I have destroyed many products that simply didn’t make it through R&D so in that respect it’s toast. ??
     

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,285
    MD
    Moral dilemma, I want to destroy my first AR because it just looks like shit, but will run like a boss! As a woodworker I have destroyed many products that simply didn’t make it through R&D so in that respect it’s toast. ??
    My G19 build looks good, runs great and has a s/n that MD thinks is now non-compliant. I spent hundreds of hours polishing and fitting parts on that build. I'm not destroying it.
     

    beetles

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 19, 2021
    682
    The whole point of 80% receivers was to avoid government registration and, ultimately, confiscation.

    If I had an 80% firearm, which I do not, I'd keep it somewhere safe and keep my mouth shut.
    Not really. That was a corollary benefit. The main benefit was that you could have a platform that had features not available on a commercially-sourced completed platform and that could be built with a selected group of aftermarket parts that weren't replacing discarded stock parts or that didn't require costly modifications to stock parts.
     

    RRomig

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 30, 2021
    1,975
    Burtonsville MD
    My G19 build looks good, runs great and has a s/n that MD thinks is now non-compliant. I spent hundreds of hours polishing and fitting parts on that build. I'm not destroying it
    Not really. That was a corollary benefit. The main benefit was that you could have a platform that had features not available on a commercially-sourced completed platform and that could be built with a selected group of aftermarket parts that weren't replacing discarded stock parts or that didn't require costly modifications to stock parts.
    If it’s ATF compliant voluntary registration is available with no hql needed.

    I’m curious about said features.
     

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,285
    MD
    If it’s ATF compliant voluntary registration is available with no hql needed.

    I’m curious about said features.
    I'm tired of hearing that. When it was built and serialized the ATF DID NOT REQUIRE PMF's to be serialized. Unless something has changed since they published their notice, the ATF DOES NOT REQUIRE PMF's to be serialized or registered.

    Please quote the ATF rule that requires PMFs to be serialized.
     

    RRomig

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 30, 2021
    1,975
    Burtonsville MD
    I'm tired of hearing that. When it was built and serialized the ATF DID NOT REQUIRE PMF's to be serialized. Unless something has changed since they published their notice, the ATF DOES NOT REQUIRE PMF's to be serialized or registered.

    Please quote the ATF rule that requires PMFs to be serialized.
    Your misunderstanding what I’m saying. My reference to ATF compliance has zero to do with PMFs. The compliance I am referring to is the size , depth and material it’s engraved in of the serial number. As in a sharpie written serial number on the stock isn’t ATF compliant. Hope we’re on the same page now.
     

    RRomig

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 30, 2021
    1,975
    Burtonsville MD
    For the AR lower people the 77r voluntary registration is also valid. You are just registering the Lower.
     

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,285
    MD
    Your misunderstanding what I’m saying. My reference to ATF compliance has zero to do with PMFs. The compliance I am referring to is the size , depth and material it’s engraved in of the serial number. As in a sharpie written serial number on the stock isn’t ATF compliant. Hope we’re on the same page now.
    Yeah. I should just stay out of these threads.

    I'm just a bit frustrated.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    276,027
    Messages
    7,305,296
    Members
    33,560
    Latest member
    JackW

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom