1948CJ2A
Member
I assume you're referring to the 4473 form? That paperwork only exists on record with the dealer used for the transaction (20 years for completed transactions, 5 years for denied/cancelled transactions). It can be queried by LE in the instance of investigating a crime but otherwise falls under the Privacy Act of 1974.If you bought a new firearm, and did paperwork, you're already on a list.
Now, is it possible for the government to go to every FFL across the nation and request a copy of the forms? Sure I guess anything is possible... but not trying to dive into deep hypotheticals here.
On the other hand, applying for a C&R FFL requires you notifying local LE, maintaining a black book log of firearms that the ATF can come request to audit any time they want, amidst some other requirements. Does applying for an NFA/Class III stamp hold pretty much the same requirements as a C&R FFL? I understand there's going to be some differences but honestly curious. I slightly looked into it once but that was several years ago.
I had a co-worker some years back who had an FFL. He operated a gun business out of his house on the side. He told me the ATF came to his house one year on Christmas Eve to audit his records. No joke, Christmas Eve! He said he had family over and had to pretty much stop what he was doing and deal with 2 ATF agents at his front door.