blume, me thinks you are wrong.
Transfer times were not always 6 months. When I first started buying NFA tax stamps, transfers were taking 2 to 3 months. My dealer told me that they used to take a year. These things weren't exact either, they were averages.
I don't know what BAFT is but they can love a long wait all they want. The NFA examiners are overloaded. Dealers are loosing sales when they mention "by the way it will be half a year before you can take this home." Manufacturers benefit from TV shows that feature NFA stuff and the internets spreading the good word that silencers, short barreled guns, and AOWs are legal to own, they haven't been done any favors by the longer wait times.