U.S. Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives
 



 
Washington, DC 20226



Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun
"Handgun" is defined under Federal law to mean, in part, a firearm which has
a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single
hand.... Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(29).
Under an implementing regulation of the National Firearms Act (NFA), 27
C.F.R. § 479.11, "pistol" is defined as a weapon originally designed, made,
and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or more barrels when
held in one hand, and having (a) a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or
permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and (b) a short stock designed to be
gripped by one hand and at an angle to and extending below the line of the
bore(s).
The NFA further defines the term "any other weapon" (AOW) as any weapon or
device capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be
discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a
barrel with a smooth bore designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun
shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels 12 inches or more,
less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge can be
made from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such
weapon which may be readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a
pistol or revolver having a rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons
designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder and not capable of
firing fixed ammunition. 26 U.S.C. § 5845(e).
ATF has long held that by installing a vertical fore grip on a handgun, the
handgun is no longer designed to be held and fired by the use of a single
hand. Therefore, if individuals install a vertical fore grip on a handgun,
they are "making" a firearm requiring registration with ATF's NFA Branch.
Making an unregistered "AOW" is punishable by a fine and 10 years'
imprisonment. Additionally, possession of an unregistered "AOW" is also
punishable by fine and 10 years' imprisonment.
To lawfully add a vertical fore grip to a handgun, a person must make an
appropriate application on ATF Form 1, "Application to Make and Register a
Firearm." The applicant must submit the completed form, along with a
fingerprint card bearing the applicant's fingerprints; a photograph; and
$200.00. The application will be reviewed by the NFA Branch. If the
applicant is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal, State,
or local law, and possession of an "AOW" is not prohibited in the
applicant's State of residence, the form will be approved. Only then may the
person add a vertical fore grip to the designated handgun.
A person may also send the handgun to a person licensed to manufacture NFA
weapons. The manufacturer will install the fore grip on the firearm and
register the firearm on an ATF Form 2. The manufacturer can then transfer
the firearm back to the individual on an ATF Form 4, which results in a
$5.00 transfer tax. If the manufacturer is out of State, the NFA Branch will
need a clarification letter submitted with the ATF Form 4 so that the NFA
Branch Examiner will know the circumstances of the transfer. Questions can
be directed to the NFA Branch or the Firearms Technology Branch.