As a long time member of the NFA, I recall reading in one of their journals the exact question , if a membership is legally required to own a restricted firearm. The NFA answered that it is not a requirement legally by law that you must be a member of a certified club , and that you can inform the CFO that it is not a legal requirement, but the CFO will most likely just refuse to issue an ATT, and many gun shops tell you that you must have an approved range membership to purchase a restricted firearm, which according to the NFA is simply not so. It's a classic case of the blind leading the blind, and the CFO making up rules as they go along. This needs to change and fast, and it will only happen if we yell loud enough, CFO's have way too much say, but parliament probably gave them such authority just keep them out of their face.
