Are Solvent Traps Illegal In 2022?

*Solvent Trap Co., Inc (Solvent Trap Co.) is a solvent trap, solvent trap parts and muzzle device firearms accessory e-commerce retailer. Solvent Trap Co. sells solvent traps to customers with the intention that customers will use the solvent trap cleaning kits for purposes related to firearms cleaning. Though there are legal channels and alternative uses that the public may use solvent traps for, Solvent Trap Co. does thorough vetting to ensure customer intentions are aligned with our intentions and per our Terms & Conditions, customer orders are subject to being refunded and cancelled, in addition, customer e-mails and ordering ability may also be blocked if our terms & conditions are violated. With that being said, all information provided on solventtrap.servicereviews.net, in e-mail communications and in the article below that fall outside the realm of firearms cleaning, is for information or educational purposes only.

Today, solvent traps have become one of the most common firearm cleaning accessories in the gun community. For firearm owners who do a lot of cleaning, solvent traps come in handy in helping them prevent messes and capturing the cleaning solutions that can be reused. Many firearm owners are nervous about buying solvent traps because they question the legality of this firearm accessory. With many people asking whether or not it is illegal to own a solvent trap, we figured we’d create this article to explain the legality of solvent traps in 2022.

Before moving forward, we think it is best to provide a quote that sourced from the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the NFA Handbook, which sources supplemental information from the GC Act of 68′.

“If the solvent trap was redesigned or utilized to assemble a device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm or if intent was demonstrated to use the device for silencing, muffling or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, the solvent trap would be classified as a “firearm silencer” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) and as a “firearm” as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3)(C) and 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(7).”

It is also important to note that top ATF Officials have gone on record, publicly, stating a paraphrased version of the above-mentioned GC Act rule, essentially stating that a solvent trap that’s unmodified, doesn’t reduce the rapport of a firearm (reduce the sound), nor can a projectile freely pass through the center of the device, then it is by definition nothing more than an unregulated firearm accessory; more specifically, a cleaning accessory.

Solvent trap cleaning kits are legal to purchase and use in 2022. Since the default purpose of a solvent trap is to use it for trapping solvent during the firearms cleaning process, which is the express intent that companies such as Solvent Trap Co. try to fulfill with their solvent trap offerings. Much confusion has been created by the ATF/NFA which leads to many questions pertaining to the legality of solvent traps. Maybe this was a propaganda based psyop goal by the Feds, to confuse and scare, but rules are rules and law is law.

For starters, while buying a solvent trap kit is totally legal without filing a Form 1, you have to err on the side of caution with what you use the device for: For example: one may buy a nail gun from home depot to build a desk, but if that nail gun is modified to fire nails or other projectiles with the intent to harm another, this nail gun is no longer a home improvement tool…it is now a weapon that fires lethal projectiles. Solvent traps in their default state that their name implies, are like the nail gun mentioned above: A solvent trap is sold by firearm cleaning companies to support firearm cleaning, effectively minimizing the solvent mess and streamlining the cleaning process. If a solvent trap is modified, it may become an unregistered NFA item I the eyes of regulators.

The difference being, the ATF/NFA not only created a process to legally alter a solvent trap or any device that can be modified in order to legally manufacture and register a self-built weapon, but they made the Form 1 process more efficient through their E-filing offering. Why the ATF states public-ally that solvent traps are legal, referencing the only known rules published in the GC Act of 1968 and the NFA handbook, makes the process of building your own registered NFA item more efficient through the electronic filing portal, a portal that isn’t even available to Class 3 Dealers selling branded suppressors (Form 4 Process), but then flip flops and makes it their sole purpose to shut down legally operating solvent trap companies is truly beyond us!

The main, and really only thing that makes owning a solvent trap very much illegal

• Illegally modifying a solvent trap without going through the proper NFA filing and tax stamp processes: It is illegal to own a suppressor (branded or self-built) that is not registered through the Tax Stamp process with the National Firearm Act (NFA). There are processes to follow and forms to fill to get approval to make or own a suppressor legally. Again, anything can be converted into an NFA item, it just so happens that solvent traps get the most attention.

The short answer is no or the aren’t legally tasked to at-least. Solvent traps are UNREGULATED items. There’s been so much press interrelating solvent traps with that of suppressors, but solvent traps ARE NOT suppressors. For example: A savvy mechanic could buy piping or a Maglite from a hardware store, and build a suppressor (legally or illegally). Solvent traps are as the ATF has previously stated, firearm accessories as long as they do not reduce the rapport of a firearm, muzzle the sound, or allow a projectile to pass through the device. This definition does not only apply to solvent traps! it applies to anything that can be or is attached to a firearm.

One of its primary duties of the ATF is to protect the United States residences from using firearms by criminals and the diversion of weapons and their accessories for acts of crimes or terrorism. However, since some solvent trap companies sell their solvent traps with the intent to be converted to suppressors, usually advertised as being kits that can be completed alongside the legal ATF/NFA Form 1 process, they have attracted a lot of attention by the ATF. So it is possible that these companies are being watched. But, as far as the ATF tracking solvent traps, they are unregulated and the ATF would need a warrant to obtain the customer purchase information or the company would have to voluntarily provide the customer information.

It is possible that the ATF trap shipments by known suppliers. The ATF has the right to track any suspicious delivery and transportation of solvent traps. And there have been reports of ATF tracking the haulage of solvent traps as they were illegally imported into the United States. There is equal evidence of the agency tracking and raiding solvent traps manufacturing facilities that encourage users to convert the devices for other uses besides cleaning firearms.

For example, if a manufacturer makes a solvent trap that has a dimple at the center cap, it could mean that the buyer is being encouraged to convert the solvent trap. The agency can track the facility that manufactures or sells solvent traps if it is doing so illegally. The agency acknowledges your right to own a firearm as stated in the second amendment. Altering the primary purpose of the solvent trap without filling a Form 1 is illegal. So, to avoid unnecessary tracking and receiving a visitation from ATF agents, you must purchase your solvent trap from authorized suppliers of firearms and accessories. You should ensure you don’t buy a product that could suggest you intend to use it for other purposes.

We hope that this article helps alleviate some confusion on the legality of solvent traps.

On that note, solvent traps were originally made for supporting the firearms cleaning process. Companies like Solvent Trap Co. provide videos and instructions on using their solvent traps for firearms cleaning and go to extreme lengths to provide disclaimers, blocking e-mails and form submissions with ‘restricted non-cleaning related key-terms”, to refunding/reversing customer orders and blocking customers entirely that have communicated in ways that imply their intent is anything but firearms cleaning. What is not right at all is the false narrative, the propaganda being peddled that solvent traps are illegal, they are not and that is a fact.

You may be asking yourself, “What are some of the legal requirements for solvent trap suppliers? There are many solvent trap suppliers online. Yet, not all of them are legally selling these products. Some suppliers have licensed paperwork and sell solvent traps that meet the required standards, this is only because these companies are not really selling solvent traps at all…they are selling Form 1 kits. In our opinion, once you label an items a ”Form 1 Kit”, it is no longer a solvent trap. And this is the type of solvent trap that its quality and features are acceptable. In contrast, some other vendors sell solvent traps on the black market, and they are usually already modified and thus again, they are no longer solvent traps at this point.

If you decide to purchase your solvent trap kits that are already pre-modified, or if you buy them to modify them illegally, or if you purchase solvent traps that have markings such as dimples that imply they are intended to be modified, you may get a visit by the firearm regulators.

Purchasing solvent trap kits might seem like a simple task, but getting it wrong can be dangerous. It is simple to place an order for solvent trap kits, but it is essential to purchase the right product and buy from a reputable and verified supplier. Here are some of the things to look out for in order to purchase the right solvent trap legally.

We can tell you first hand, they are very effective! Companies like Solvent Trap Co. are constantly improving the efficiency of firearms cleaning with solvent traps, listening to customers and incorporating streamlined cleaning options. For instance, 90% of Solvent Trap Co.’s solvent trap kits that have inner diameters larger than 1″ have either a 1.1875-24 TPI or 1.375-24 TPI thread pitch, which is more of a standardized pitch. This allows for adaptability to muzzle extension devices and other detachable devices so one does not have to remove their flash hider with a vice and 45 minutes of time during every cleaning session of their AR-15 or AR-10. Many firearms owners have tried and tested Solvent traps, and their efficacy has been publicly deemed to be undisputed. Solvent traps effectively trap dirt and cleaning solutions used in cleaning a firearm. A complete set of solvent traps comes with other accessories, including solvent trap caps, cups, and solvent trap adapters. These solvent trap accessories play their role in ensuring your firearm is well maintained, cleaned and that the entire cleaning process is streamlined and enjoyable.

The solvent trap thread mount adapter has threads at both ends so as to make it easy to connect to your firearm’s solvent trap. And the solvent trap cups are designed to collect the cleaning solution used during the cleaning process. This cleaning solution can be reused, so you don’t need to dispose of them and waste money on buying new cleaning solutions. You can also use solvent trap cups to store your solvent when you go hunting.

There are many reasons why firearm owners use a solvent trap to clean their firearms. And in this section, we’ll look at some of the reasons why it is important to use a solvent trap.

Here are some tips for avoiding legal troubles while leveraging the benefits provided by solvent trap cleaning kits.

Solvent traps are more popular simply because they make firearm cleaning more enjoyable and eco-friendly. And fortunately, it is 100% legal to possess as far it is used for cleaning and not for any other function as a suppressor. So, to avoid getting in trouble which can lead to hefty fines or criminal charges, only buy a solvent trap from an authorized vendor and only use it for its intended purpose.