Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09154

I respectfully support the proposed rule allowing joint registration for spouses under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This proposal represents a common-sense modernization of the NFA process and properly recognizes the realities of marriage, shared property, and lawful family firearm ownership in the United States. Under the current system, many married couples are effectively forced to create costly and unnecessary legal trusts or corporate entities simply so both spouses may lawfully possess or access the same suppressor, short-barreled rifle, or other NFA-regulated item. This creates unnecessary legal complexity, financial burden, paperwork, and confusion for ordinary law-abiding families who are attempting to comply with federal law. Married couples routinely share: - homes, - vehicles, - bank accounts, - safes, - and personal property. NFA regulations should recognize the same practical reality regarding lawful firearm ownership between spouses. The proposed rule appropriately reduces unnecessary barriers and allows married couples to jointly possess and use lawfully registered NFA firearms without requiring artificial legal workarounds such as trusts or LLCs. I strongly encourage ATF to ensure the final rule clearly states that: - Jointly registered spouses may both lawfully possess, transport, store, and access the registered NFA firearm. - Temporary possession by either registered spouse does not constitute a transfer under the NFA. - Joint registration remains valid during ordinary travel, temporary separation, shared residences, military assignments, or work-related travel. - Widows and widowers receive streamlined inheritance protections and simplified continuation of lawful possession following the death of a spouse. - Minor administrative issues involving marital status changes should not automatically create criminal liability for otherwise law-abiding citizens acting in good faith. I also encourage ATF to further modernize the process by allowing simple electronic updates for: - address changes, - marital status updates, - and corrections to jointly registered applications. Most importantly, the final rule should emphasize that lawful married couples acting in good faith should not face accidental felony exposure over technical possession questions inside their own household. The overwhelming majority of NFA owners are highly vetted, law-abiding citizens who have already completed extensive federal background checks, fingerprinting, registration requirements, and compliance procedures. Regulations should focus on genuine criminal misuse, not creating unnecessary legal traps for married couples and families. This proposal is a significant and positive step toward simplifying compliance while respecting lawful firearm ownership rights and family realities. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed rule.