A solvent trap is a firearm cleaning system that is designed to capture cleaning solvent in order to be disposed of efficiently. Solvent traps feature cups, also referred to as dividers, that trap byproduct created during the cleaning process. They bear a distinct resemblance to silencers. The big difference is that solvent traps do not have a hole bored through the center and they do not have a serial number engraved on them. They are also not always designed to be shot.
Enter the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives. As Bearing Arms said, “We’ve had to contend with a continual onslaught of shenanigans from the ATF since pretty much their inception. Things have gotten worse and worse in recent years.”
“Recently the ATF sent out an open letter (also below) concerning so-called ‘solvent traps’ and it’s interesting.”
This is another example of the ATF looking for any place they can stick their nose and crack down on gun owners and those who manufacture and sell guns and gun accessories.
The letter states, “Current possessors of these purported ‘solvent traps’ that are silencers are encouraged to contact ATF for further guidance on how they may divest possession. If you are uncertain whether the device you possess is a ‘firearm silencer’ as defined by the GCA and NFA, please contact your local ATF Field Office. You may consult the Local ATF Office’s webpage for office contact information.”
Once again, the ATF is trying to turn ordinary citizens into criminals, telling them they must “divest possession” of their gun accessories or risk prosecution at the hands of a hostile federal bureaucracy.
This is yet another drastic overreach by the ATF, and one that could impact thousands of gun owners across America.