A gun trust—also known an NFA trust (National Firearms Act)—is a revocable trust created to hold title to or ownership of firearms. A gun trust is organized under the laws of the state indicated in the trust agreement—which is usually the residence of the person creating the trust—also known as the grantor or settlor.

A gun trust is an independent legal entity and is the legal owner of the guns transferred to the trust or purchased by the trust. The trust agreement should name a trustee (person or entity) to manage the trust for the beneficiaries of the trust (often the grantor’s heirs). The trustee is often the grantor during the grantor’s lifetime.

A gun trust is revocable, and the grantor can revoke it or make changes to the trust agreement at any time before the grantor’s death. But at the grantor’s death the trust become irrevocable and a successor trustee (named in the trust) manages the trust for the individuals or entities named as beneficiaries.

Gun trusts are also referred to as NFA trusts because they are often created to own firearms subject to Title II of the federal National Firearms Act—including short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, and suppressors. The definition of firearms subject to the NFA is in the United States Code (federal statutes) at 26 U.S.C. §5845.

A well-written gun trust has special rules and provisions to ensure the trustee and the beneficiaries do not violate the NFA, as there are serious potential consequences to violating federal gun laws—whether intentionally or accidentally. Violations may result in loss of the firearms, a prison term of up to 10 years, and fines up to $10,000.

In New Jersey, a gun trust, also known as an NFA trust, is a legal mechanism for holding ownership of firearms, particularly those regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The trust is established under New Jersey state law and is managed by a trustee for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. The grantor, who creates the trust, can serve as the trustee during their lifetime and has the power to revoke or amend the trust until their death, at which point the trust typically becomes irrevocable. Gun trusts in New Jersey are used to ensure compliance with both federal and state firearms regulations, including the NFA, which governs the possession and transfer of certain restricted firearms such as short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, and suppressors. These trusts are designed with specific provisions to prevent accidental violations of the law, which can carry severe penalties including fines and imprisonment. It is important for individuals creating a gun trust in New Jersey to ensure that the trust is structured in accordance with both state and federal laws to avoid legal complications.