I've never done the trust route so I don't know a lot about it, but doesn't the BATFE still do a background check on you even if you are using a trust?
This only bypasses the local cleo signoff. The background check and tax payment is still done. I personally don't have a problem with the cleo signoff thing if they're doing their job, which is NOT to blanket deny signing them as some do, but to only deny them if there is some specific reason that they think this specific person will be a problem with the item; back in 1934 there were no computerized background checks, that was it. Now the signoff should normally be quickly done, unless there's some odd reason the cleo might think they're a problem but the person also somehow missed having a record.