Do I need a Class 3 to sell suppressors?

Yes — dealing in NFA items requires SOT status on the dealer license.

Does SOT let me buy machine guns personally?

SOT inventory belongs to the business, not to you personally, and post-1986 machine guns remain restricted to specific categories of use.

Class 3 License

There is no standalone 'Class 3 license.' Class 3 is an SOT status paid on top of a dealer FFL, and it is what allows a dealer to handle NFA items.

Updated 2026-08-01

What It Allows

A Class 3 SOT dealer may acquire, hold in inventory and transfer NFA items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, machine guns lawfully transferable to their category, and destructive devices, subject to license type and state law.

State Law Governs

Federal SOT status does not override state restrictions. Several states prohibit or limit specific NFA categories regardless of federal status, and transfers to residents follow state law.

Cost And Maintenance

Class 3 SOT is an annual tax filed on Form 5630.7 for the July–June tax year and paid on Pay.gov, on top of the underlying FFL. Transfers use the NFA forms and require accurate NFA recordkeeping alongside your normal bound book.

Fees, forms and processing rules change through ATF rulemaking. Confirm current requirements with ATF and your state and local authorities before you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Class 3 to sell suppressors?: Yes — dealing in NFA items requires SOT status on the dealer license.
Does SOT let me buy machine guns personally?: SOT inventory belongs to the business, not to you personally, and post-1986 machine guns remain restricted to specific categories of use.

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Educational content only. FFL Elite is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Verify all requirements with ATF and your state and local authorities.