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shaggy · May 19, 2007, 10:04 PM

There's nothing in the NFA or the regulations explicitly prohibiting renting NFA weapons, HOWEVER...

posties are ostensibly made for LE/mil sales and demonstration, not for rental for the enjoyment of the public. As far as I know BATFE has never made an issue of it, but there has been some question raised about the true legality of using posties for public rentals by some well respected manufacturers & dealers.

As to your other questions:

1. You can't run a NICS check for a rental - its for purchases only. You're going to have to use some judgement.

2. Liability waivers? Generally not worth the toilet paper they're written on. Any seasoned litigator will get around your liability waiver easily. Your best bet is to buy insurance. I know several manufacturer/dealers who will not rent weapons simply because of the liability aspect.

3. Get in touch with some insurers in your area and speak to an agent. Be sure to explain what you'd like to do, what activities you need to be covered, what sort of coverage you want, the amount of coverage, etc. Look at the policy to make sure it covers everything you need and you discussed with the agent. If you're going to be an 07/SOT you need to consider you'll be making a product and putting it into the stream of commerce and into people's hands - don't forget product liability (because if that M16/G18/HK/whatever you made goes KB, you should plan on getting sued). If you're going to do training or have employees handling weapons make sure you have insurance that covers them, and any act of negligence or stupidity, or even accidents they may do in the course of business.

Also - if you're thinking of going 07/SOT out of your home, check and make sure there is nothing in your zoning regs that prohibit manufacturing activities at your residence (because BATFE definitely will make sure you're in compliance with local zoning). And keep in mind that any part of the home that is used for the business becomes open to BATFE during a compliance inspection (sans warrant). One of the main reasons many people get a seperate business location for their FFL/SOT business.

May 19, 2007, 10:04 PM	#4
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	There's nothing in the NFA or the regulations explicitly prohibiting renting NFA weapons, HOWEVER... posties are ostensibly made for LE/mil sales and demonstration, not for rental for the enjoyment of the public. As far as I know BATFE has never made an issue of it, but there has been some question raised about the true legality of using posties for public rentals by some well respected manufacturers & dealers. As to your other questions: 1. You can't run a NICS check for a rental - its for purchases only. You're going to have to use some judgement. 2. Liability waivers? Generally not worth the toilet paper they're written on. Any seasoned litigator will get around your liability waiver easily. Your best bet is to buy insurance. I know several manufacturer/dealers who will not rent weapons simply because of the liability aspect. 3. Get in touch with some insurers in your area and speak to an agent. Be sure to explain what you'd like to do, what activities you need to be covered, what sort of coverage you want, the amount of coverage, etc. Look at the policy to make sure it covers everything you need and you discussed with the agent. If you're going to be an 07/SOT you need to consider you'll be making a product and putting it into the stream of commerce and into people's hands - don't forget product liability (because if that M16/G18/HK/whatever you made goes KB, you should plan on getting sued). If you're going to do training or have employees handling weapons make sure you have insurance that covers them, and any act of negligence or stupidity, or even accidents they may do in the course of business. Also - if you're thinking of going 07/SOT out of your home, check and make sure there is nothing in your zoning regs that prohibit manufacturing activities at your residence (because BATFE definitely will make sure you're in compliance with local zoning). And keep in mind that any part of the home that is used for the business becomes open to BATFE during a compliance inspection (sans warrant). One of the main reasons many people get a seperate business location for their FFL/SOT business.