Hello, I was wondering how the police or ATF traces ownership of a firearm?
It is my understanding that any time a Form 4473 is filled out, that a copy is kept only with the local LGS/FFL and is not with Uncle Sam or any state authority.
So, it would seem that tracing a gun starts with the manufacturer and thru stores/FFL's where there was a 4473, until the first time that chain is broken (through a private in-state transfer, for example). And then even if a subsequent 4473 is filled out on a sale, after the private transfer, it would not be easy to find this 4473 without interviewing the private sale parties.
Except maybe where multiple firearms are bought within 5 consecutive days (Form 3310), which gets reported to the ATF, which would then establish an ownership record with the ATF.
Does this sound correct?
Asking for a friend...
It is my understanding that any time a Form 4473 is filled out, that a copy is kept only with the local LGS/FFL and is not with Uncle Sam or any state authority.
So, it would seem that tracing a gun starts with the manufacturer and thru stores/FFL's where there was a 4473, until the first time that chain is broken (through a private in-state transfer, for example). And then even if a subsequent 4473 is filled out on a sale, after the private transfer, it would not be easy to find this 4473 without interviewing the private sale parties.
Except maybe where multiple firearms are bought within 5 consecutive days (Form 3310), which gets reported to the ATF, which would then establish an ownership record with the ATF.
Does this sound correct?
Asking for a friend...