Privacy Policy
Last Updated: November 25, 2024
1Introduction
Michigan Silencer Company ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make purchases, create an account, or otherwise interact with our services.
As a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) specializing in suppressors, firearms, and related accessories, we are subject to strict federal and state regulations that require us to collect and maintain certain information. This Privacy Policy is designed to be transparent about our data practices while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, including but not limited to the Gun Control Act of 1968, the National Firearms Act, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and various state firearms regulations.
By accessing or using our website, creating an account, making a purchase, or otherwise engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our services.
This Privacy Policy applies to all information collected through our website (www.michigansilencerco.com), our mobile applications (if any), and any related services, sales, marketing, or events (collectively, the "Services"). This policy does not apply to information collected offline or through any third-party websites, applications, or services that may be linked to or integrated with our Services.
2Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you register on our website, express an interest in obtaining information about us or our products and services, participate in activities on the website, or otherwise contact us. The personal information we collect may include:
- Identity Information: Full legal name (first, middle, and last), date of birth, gender, photograph, and signature as required for ATF forms and background checks.
- Contact Information: Email address, mailing address, billing address, shipping address, telephone number, and any alternative contact information you provide.
- Account Credentials: Username, password, password hints, and security questions and answers used to access your account.
- Payment Information: Credit card numbers, debit card numbers, bank account information, billing address, and other financial information necessary to process transactions. Note: Full payment card numbers are processed by our third-party payment processors and are not stored on our servers.
- Government-Issued Identification: Driver's license number, state identification card number, passport number, or other government-issued identification numbers as required for firearms transactions and age verification.
- Social Security Number: Your Social Security Number may be required for ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) and ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm) for NFA items.
- Citizenship and Immigration Status: Information regarding your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status as required by federal firearms regulations.
- Criminal History Information: Information you provide on ATF Form 4473 regarding your criminal history, mental health history, dishonorable discharge status, renunciation of citizenship, restraining orders, domestic violence convictions, and other disqualifying factors.
- Trust and Entity Information: If purchasing NFA items through a trust or legal entity, we may collect information about the trust, its trustees, responsible persons, and beneficiaries, as well as corporate documentation for legal entities.
- FFL Information: If you are a federally licensed firearms dealer, we may collect your FFL license number, license expiration date, business name, and business address.
- Communication Records: Records of your correspondence with us, including emails, phone calls, chat messages, and any other communications.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you access or use our Services, we automatically collect certain information about your device and your use of our Services. This information may include:
- Device Information: Information about your computer, mobile device, or other device used to access our Services, including hardware model, operating system and version, unique device identifiers, browser type and version, mobile network information, and device settings.
- Log Information: Server logs that record information about your use of our Services, including access times, pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, IP address, referring URL, and the page you visited before navigating to our Services.
- Location Information: We may collect information about your approximate location based on your IP address. We may also collect more precise location information with your consent through GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi signals.
- Transaction Information: Details about purchases, orders, returns, exchanges, and other transactions you conduct through our Services.
- Browsing and Search History: Information about the products you view, search for, or add to your shopping cart on our website.
- Interaction Information: Information about how you interact with our emails, advertisements, and other marketing communications.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, including:
- Background Check Services: Results from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or state equivalent systems as required for firearms transfers.
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Information related to NFA applications, approvals, denials, and transfers.
- FFL Dealers: Information from the FFL dealer you select for firearm transfers, including their license information and transfer records.
- Payment Processors: Transaction information and fraud prevention data from our payment processing partners.
- Marketing Partners: Information from advertising networks, analytics providers, and marketing partners about your interactions with our advertisements.
- Social Media Platforms: If you interact with us through social media, we may receive information from those platforms in accordance with their privacy policies.
- Public Databases: Information from publicly available sources and government databases.
2.4 Sensitive Personal Information
Due to the nature of our business and regulatory requirements, we may collect certain categories of sensitive personal information, including:
- Social Security Number
- Government-issued identification numbers
- Precise geolocation data
- Citizenship and immigration status
- Information about criminal history and legal status
- Financial account information
This sensitive information is collected only as necessary to comply with federal and state firearms regulations, process transactions, and provide our Services. We implement enhanced security measures to protect this sensitive information.
3How We Collect Information
3.1 Direct Collection
We collect information directly from you when you:
- Create an account or register on our website
- Place an order or make a purchase
- Complete ATF forms and other required documentation
- Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
- Contact us with questions, comments, or requests
- Participate in surveys, contests, or promotions
- Post reviews or comments on our website
- Provide feedback about our products or services
- Apply for employment with us
3.2 Automated Collection
We use various technologies to automatically collect information when you access or use our Services, including:
- Cookies: Small data files placed on your device that enable us to recognize your browser, capture certain information, and remember your preferences.
- Pixel Tags/Web Beacons: Transparent graphic images that allow us to track user activity, measure engagement with our emails, and gather statistics about website usage.
- Local Storage: Technology that stores data locally on your device to improve website performance and user experience.
- Analytics Tools: Third-party analytics services that help us understand how users interact with our website and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
- Session Replay Tools: Technology that may record your interactions with our website, including mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling behavior, to help us improve user experience.
3.3 Third-Party Collection
Third parties may collect information about you when you use our Services, including:
- Payment processors who collect payment information to process transactions
- Shipping carriers who collect delivery information
- Analytics providers who collect usage data
- Advertising networks who collect data for targeted advertising
- Social media platforms through integrated features or plugins
4Use of Information
We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:
4.1 Order Processing and Fulfillment
- Processing and fulfilling your orders, including payment processing, shipping, and delivery
- Conducting required background checks through NICS or state systems
- Completing ATF Form 4473, Form 4, and other required federal and state documentation
- Coordinating with FFL dealers for firearm transfers
- Managing NFA item registrations and tax stamp applications
- Sending order confirmations, shipping notifications, and delivery updates
- Processing returns, exchanges, and warranty claims
4.2 Account Management
- Creating and managing your user account
- Verifying your identity and eligibility to purchase firearms and NFA items
- Maintaining your order history and transaction records
- Providing customer support and responding to your inquiries
- Communicating with you about your account, orders, and our Services
4.3 Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Complying with federal firearms laws, including the Gun Control Act and National Firearms Act
- Complying with state and local firearms regulations
- Maintaining required records for ATF inspections and audits
- Responding to subpoenas, court orders, and other legal requests
- Reporting to government agencies as required by law
- Detecting and preventing fraud, illegal activities, and violations of our Terms of Service
4.4 Marketing and Communications
- Sending promotional emails, newsletters, and marketing communications (with your consent where required)
- Personalizing your experience and recommending products based on your interests
- Conducting surveys and collecting feedback to improve our Services
- Administering contests, sweepstakes, and promotions
- Displaying targeted advertisements on our website and third-party platforms
4.5 Website Improvement and Analytics
- Analyzing website traffic and user behavior to improve our Services
- Testing and developing new features and functionality
- Monitoring and improving website security and performance
- Debugging and fixing technical issues
- Generating aggregated, anonymized statistics about our user base
4.6 Business Operations
- Managing our business relationships with vendors, suppliers, and partners
- Protecting our rights, property, and safety, and that of our users and others
- Enforcing our Terms of Service and other agreements
- Evaluating and pursuing business transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales
- For any other purpose with your consent
5Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Contract Performance: Processing necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations to you, including processing orders and providing our Services.
- Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with our legal obligations under federal and state firearms laws, tax laws, and other applicable regulations.
- Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as fraud prevention, security, business operations, and marketing (where not overridden by your rights).
- Consent: Processing based on your explicit consent, which you may withdraw at any time (for certain marketing communications and non-essential cookies).
- Vital Interests: Processing necessary to protect the vital interests of you or another person.
- Public Interest: Processing necessary for reasons of substantial public interest, including preventing unlawful firearms transfers.
6Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:
6.1 Service Providers
We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Payment processors (e.g., credit card processing, ACH transfers)
- Shipping and logistics companies
- Cloud hosting and data storage providers
- Email and communication service providers
- Customer support and help desk services
- Analytics and marketing service providers
- Fraud detection and prevention services
- Website development and maintenance providers
These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.
6.2 Government Agencies and Law Enforcement
We are required by law to share certain information with government agencies, including:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): ATF Form 4473 records, Form 4 applications, and other NFA documentation; records requested during ATF inspections and audits; information related to stolen, lost, or illegally transferred firearms.
- FBI/NICS: Information necessary to conduct background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
- State and Local Law Enforcement: Information required by state firearms registration requirements; response to lawful subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants; reports of suspected illegal activity.
- Other Government Agencies: Information required for tax reporting (IRS); response to regulatory inquiries and investigations.
6.3 FFL Dealers
When you purchase firearms that must be transferred through a licensed dealer, we share necessary information with the FFL dealer you select, including your name, contact information, and order details.
6.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will provide notice before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
6.5 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests
- Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
- Protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others
- Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
- Respond to claims that any content violates the rights of third parties
6.6 With Your Consent
We may share your information with third parties when you have given us your consent to do so.
6.7 Aggregated or De-identified Information
We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you with third parties for research, marketing, analytics, and other purposes.
7Firearms Regulatory Compliance
As a federally licensed firearms dealer, we are subject to specific regulations that affect how we collect, use, and retain your personal information:
7.1 ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record)
Federal law requires us to collect extensive personal information on ATF Form 4473 for all firearms transfers, including:
- Full legal name, address, and date of birth
- Place of birth and citizenship status
- Social Security Number (optional but may expedite background check)
- Government-issued identification information
- Physical description (height, weight, gender, race, ethnicity)
- Responses to eligibility questions regarding criminal history, mental health, drug use, immigration status, and other disqualifying factors
This form is retained for a minimum of 20 years as required by federal regulations (27 CFR 478.129).
7.2 National Firearms Act (NFA) Items
For suppressors and other NFA items, additional documentation and information is required:
- ATF Form 4: Application for tax paid transfer and registration of firearm, including photographs, fingerprints, and detailed personal information.
- ATF Form 5320.23: Responsible Person Questionnaire for trusts and legal entities.
- Trust Documentation: Copy of trust documents for trust purchases.
- Corporate Documentation: Articles of incorporation, operating agreements, and other entity documentation for corporate purchases.
NFA registration records are maintained indefinitely by the ATF and must be retained by the dealer as long as the item is in inventory.
7.3 Bound Book (Acquisition and Disposition Record)
We maintain a bound book recording the acquisition and disposition of all firearms, including purchaser information. This record must be retained for as long as we hold our FFL and surrendered to the ATF if we cease doing business.
7.4 Multiple Sales Reports
Federal law requires us to report to the ATF and local law enforcement when an individual purchases multiple handguns within a five-day period.
7.5 State-Specific Requirements
Depending on your state of residence, additional information collection and reporting may be required, including state registration requirements, waiting period documentation, and permits or licenses.
9Data Security
We implement comprehensive technical, administrative, and physical security measures to protect your personal information, including:
9.1 Technical Safeguards
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
- Encryption of sensitive data at rest
- Secure password hashing and storage
- Firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems
- Regular security assessments and penetration testing
- Secure development practices and code review
- Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
9.2 Administrative Safeguards
- Employee training on data security and privacy practices
- Background checks for employees with access to sensitive information
- Role-based access controls limiting access to personal information
- Written security policies and procedures
- Incident response and breach notification procedures
- Regular audits and compliance assessments
9.3 Physical Safeguards
- Secure facilities with access controls
- Locked storage for paper records containing personal information
- Secure disposal of documents and electronic media
- Visitor management procedures
9.4 Payment Card Security
We comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS) for handling credit card information. Full payment card numbers are processed by our PCI-compliant payment processors and are not stored on our servers.
9.5 Limitations
While we implement robust security measures, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for any activity that occurs under your account.
10Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Specific retention periods include:
- ATF Form 4473: Minimum 20 years as required by federal regulations, or until we cease business operations, at which point records are transferred to the ATF.
- NFA Registration Records: Maintained indefinitely by the ATF; dealer records retained as long as item is in inventory.
- Bound Book Records: Retained for the duration of our FFL license and surrendered to ATF upon license termination.
- Transaction Records: 7 years for tax and accounting purposes.
- Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for 7 years after account closure.
- Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion, subject to legal retention requirements.
- Website Analytics: Typically 26 months, though some data may be retained longer in aggregated form.
- Customer Support Records: 5 years from the date of the interaction.
Please note that due to federal firearms regulations, we may be unable to delete certain information even upon request. We will inform you of any such limitations when you submit a deletion request.
11Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
11.1 Access and Portability
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy of that information in a commonly used electronic format.
11.2 Correction
You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information. Note that certain information on completed ATF forms cannot be modified after submission.
11.3 Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions. Due to federal firearms regulations, we cannot delete ATF Form 4473 records, bound book entries, NFA registration records, or other federally-mandated records during the required retention periods.
11.4 Restriction of Processing
You may request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
11.5 Objection
You may object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes or when processing is based on our legitimate interests.
11.6 Withdrawal of Consent
Where we rely on your consent to process your personal information, you may withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
11.7 Opt-Out of Marketing
You can opt out of receiving marketing communications from us by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails, updating your communication preferences in your account settings, or contacting us directly.
11.8 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.
12California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
12.1 Right to Know
You have the right to request that we disclose:
- The categories of personal information we have collected about you
- The categories of sources from which we collected your personal information
- Our business or commercial purpose for collecting or selling your personal information
- The categories of third parties with whom we share your personal information
- The specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
12.2 Right to Delete
You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions under the CCPA and federal firearms regulations.
12.3 Right to Correct
You have the right to request correction of inaccurate personal information.
12.4 Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing
You have the right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information. We do not sell your personal information in the traditional sense. However, certain data sharing for targeted advertising may constitute a "sale" or "sharing" under the CCPA. You may opt out by contacting us or using any opt-out preference signals recognized by our website.
12.5 Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information
You have the right to limit our use of your sensitive personal information to purposes necessary to provide our Services. Due to federal firearms regulations, certain sensitive information must be collected and processed to complete firearms transactions.
12.6 Right to Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.
13Other State Privacy Rights
13.1 Virginia (VCDPA)
Virginia residents have rights to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their personal data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, and profiling.
13.2 Colorado (CPA)
Colorado residents have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and port their personal data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising, sale, and profiling.
13.3 Connecticut (CTDPA)
Connecticut residents have rights to access, correct, delete, and obtain their personal data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising, sale, and profiling.
13.4 Utah (UCPA)
Utah residents have rights to access, delete, and obtain their personal data, as well as opt out of targeted advertising and sale.
13.5 Other States
Additional state privacy laws may apply depending on your residence. We will comply with applicable state privacy laws and honor requests submitted under such laws.
14International Data Transfers
Our Services are operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States and choose to provide information to us, please be aware that we transfer your information to the United States for processing and storage.
By using our Services or providing us with your information, you consent to this transfer, processing, and storage of your information in the United States, where privacy laws may not be as protective as those in your jurisdiction.
Please note that due to federal firearms regulations, we can only sell and ship firearms and NFA items to U.S. addresses and cannot accept orders from outside the United States for regulated items.
15Children's Privacy
Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. In accordance with federal firearms regulations, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles and shotguns, and at least 21 years old to purchase handguns and NFA items (such as suppressors).
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible, except to the extent that retention is required by law.
If you believe that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately using the information in the "Contact Us" section below.
16Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, and applications that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to any third-party websites or services. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services that you visit. Your interactions with third-party websites are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of service.
17Do Not Track Signals
Some web browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites you visit indicating that you do not want to be tracked. Because there is no common understanding of how to interpret DNT signals, our website does not currently respond to browser DNT signals.
However, you can opt out of certain tracking and targeted advertising by adjusting your cookie preferences, using browser privacy settings, or opting out through the Digital Advertising Alliance, Network Advertising Initiative, or similar industry opt-out mechanisms.
18Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.
If we make material changes to how we treat your personal information, we will notify you by:
- Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our website
- Sending you an email notification (if you have provided us with your email address)
- Displaying a prominent notice on our website
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of our Services after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
19Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Michigan Silencer Company
Attn: Privacy Officer
Email: privacy@michigansilencerco.com
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Address: [Business Address]
Michigan, United States
When contacting us about privacy matters, please provide sufficient information to identify yourself and describe your request. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or state attorney general's office.
?Frequently Asked Questions
Important Notice: This Privacy Policy is intended to provide you with information about our data practices. Due to the nature of our business as a federally licensed firearms dealer, certain information collection and retention requirements are mandated by federal and state law and cannot be waived or modified by this policy or by customer request. If you have questions about specific regulatory requirements, please consult with a qualified attorney.