Why does the Form 4473 require firearm information?

[gorfle]

Today, when you buy a firearm from a federally licensed dealer, you have to submit on the paperwork the make, model, and serial number of the firearm you are buying.

Why is this information required for a background check?

[tularetom]

1. Information on the purchase isn't supposed to leave the dealer

But I always wonder....

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. To make the gun-haters happy, so it looks like something is "being done" about the "problem"

because tracking the legal sales of legal guns makes it absolutely impossible for a criminal to get a gun, and therefore we're all safe.

[X_Digger]

3. Probably to comply with over 18 for long gun, over 21 for handgun

At least, that's my guess.

[Statistical]

4. To allow law enforcement to track ownership of firearms.

FBI and Police can get a warrant and obtain the 4473 and thus determine the owner for a weapon used in a crime.

[X_Digger]

5. I think he means NICS, not necessarily 4473..

.. If you've ever listened in on an NICS check, they give their FFL #, name, address, DOB, SSN (if provided), county & state of birth, and then either 'long gun', 'receiver', or 'handgun'. They get a confirmation # from NICS, and 'approved', 'deny', or 'hold'. They don't give the serial # for NICS, that stays on the 4473.

[gorfle]

6. Ah, good.

OK, so only the FFL keeps the record of the actual firearm sold? Good. I assumed that everything on the 4473 was transferred to NICS.

[X_Digger]

7. Nah.. though there are persistent rumors..

.. of BATFE agents taking a hand scanner to all 4473's during inspections.

Not sure how I feel about that- if it's in connection with an investigation of the FFL, that's okay. If it's to amass a registry, no way.

[pipoman]

8. Yep, true

I've been present during the phone call on every NICS purchase I have made, this is exactly the information given...never any actual firearm info (aside from long gun or handgun).

[dave_m34]

9. This is gun registration, not background check

There is some misconception here. The dealer writes the make, model, and serial number of the firearm on the 4473 but does not provide this info on the phone for the background check. The form 4473 is kept for I believe 20 years and can then be destroyed. However, the information in the form 4473 must be copied into the dealers record book. The dealers book is never destroyed and is in fact turned over to the BATFE when the dealer goes out of business. The form 4473 and the dealers book are in fact gun registration. Access to this information is currently limited by the Tiahrt Amendment. Repealing Tiahrt will give all law enforcement (and others such as mayors, congressman, governors, etc) complete access to the form 4473 data.