ATF 4473 question

K

Keith J

New member
I was under the impression that these forms stayed with the FFL holder for 5 years. Now I see they are kept INDEFINITELY and if (or when as so many happened under Klinton)the FFL holder goes out of business, they are remanded to the the BATF.

When did this change take place? I bought a rifle in 1994 (guess what kind???) and another in 1998. I sold the 1998 rifle shortly after as it was lacking in accuracy and I did everything but a background check since I knew the buyer.
 
SFAIK, keeping the 4473s at a place of business during its existence has been an "always", along with sending them to BATF upon the business closure. My recollection has it as being this way since late 1968 or whenever that nonsense started.

The increase in the licensing fees which caused many dealers to cease operations affected mostly those who might be considered "hobby dealers". From a number of guns standpoint, they didn't represent a notable percentage of sales. (I'm not saying hobby dealers shouldn't have licenses.) In fact many of them sold only to themselves because as licensed dealers they could get the "good deals".

FWIW, Art
 
My understanding on them is that they have to be "maintained" by the dealer for a period of 20 years. If after that time they are still in business, then they can be destroyed (I think). If the business goes under during that 20 year time period after the sale, then they have to be sent to the BATF. The "registration" takes place at that point since all of the information on the firearm is printed on the back of the form (the part you usually don't see). That is the part I have problems with. If they just wanted to check the buyers background up against the FBI's files, then I could deal with it a little easier. But since they also get the firearm's Brand, Model, Ser. #, and caliber on the 4473, they have you registered to that firearm the minute they get the form. :(
 
UN-KNOWN

In 1983 I had a handgun stolen from me. I contacted the seller for information of the SERIAL NUMBER. They told me their gun business was desolved and that the BATF had all their records.

I phoned the BATF and they told me that the record was "NOT AVAILABLE" because they destroyed 4473's after 4 years. I don't know what Clinton has done.
 
Well it's just too bad that all of mine were lost in that err...terrible boating accident....yeah, that's the ticket.
 
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