Pennsylvania Form SP 4-113

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orpington

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Otherwise known as Pennsylvania State Police Application/Record of Sale.

I've completed a few of these over the years and I never noted the name of the document until recently.

I thought that if you buy a handgun, you complete the Form 4473, this being for anything other than private sale of longarm, and the other one I believed was national, for handguns, until I read the title.

Pennsylvania is a fairly firearms friendly state for the northeast. So, it's surprising it would exist, especially since under certain circumstances in some (other) states, no paperwork is required at all, even for a handgun.

1. When did this form come about?
2. Why did it come about?
3. For what purpose did it serve?
4. I rarely purchase a handgun, let alone multiple ones, but my understanding is that if 2 it more are purchased within 5 days, yet another form must be completed. True, or not? If so, why?

I particularly object (but it really doesn't matter what I think or object to) that this is a "record", as contained in the title of this form, on file with the State Police.

Are these later destroyed at a later date? Presumably not.
 
Oh, that's an ATF thing and not a Pennsylvania thing???

So how do you regulate the sale of 2 or more handguns within 5 days in states where paperwork is not required for the purchase of a handgun to begin with?

Seems like to me it's just a lot easier not to require paperwork nationwide on any firearm purchases and just act like responsible adults with your firearm...except some folks just don't.
 
It is not my intention to sound condescending, snarky, etc...but you're just now realizing Pennsylvania has a "not a registry?"

Seriously, look it up, PA State Police convinced the court that the record wasn't a "registry."
 
Any paperwork is a registry of sorts and can be utilized for devious intent if so desired.
 
Form 4473 is a federal requirement for all firearms purchased (transferred) from any FFL (firearm dealer) in the US. If any FFL sells two or more handguns to the same person within a 5 business day period, then they have to submit a multiple handgun form to the ATF. Unlike the 4473, this form is filled out behind the scenes and doesn’t involve the customer. These are all federal requirements.

PA form SP 4-113 is a state required paperwork filled out in addition to the federal 4473 any time an FFL sells a handgun. It’s used by the state as a record of sale of handguns, but sometimes the state tries to use it as a registry of handguns, but it’s not a true registry since it only records handguns purchased from FFLs in PA. If someone brings handguns from out-of-state, transfers handguns to someone out-of-state, or transfers guns to an immediate family member (those don’t require an FFL per state law), there’s no record of that transfer.
 
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Oh, that's an ATF thing and not a Pennsylvania thing???

So how do you regulate the sale of 2 or more handguns within 5 days in states where paperwork is not required for the purchase of a handgun to begin with?

Seems like to me it's just a lot easier not to require paperwork nationwide on any firearm purchases and just act like responsible adults with your firearm...except some folks just don't.

I really have to wonder how long you've been out of the cave. Do you not realize that you have to fill out a 4473 when you buy a firearm for a dealer? Do you not think dealers can count?
 
I was saying how can you regulate such in a state where paperwork is not required in a private sale. What's to prevent buying 5 handguns at once there? If it's through an FFL, then yes, 5 days would be obvious. But what is the purpose of this additional paperwork other than to further regulate?

I purchase anything rarely now, so a 5 day limitation is not applicable to me.
 
You can't regulate it, nor does it or should it be regulated.

By the way, down here in the border states the same thing applies to certain types of rifles. Think those evil black rifles that Eric Holder was illegally running into Mexico.
 
I was saying how can you regulate such in a state where paperwork is not required in a private sale.

In pennsylvania, all hand gun transfers required the paper work be completed. This included private sales, person to person.

The PSP checked the buyers history. A convicted felon would not get a handgun.

Form used from 1976 to 1994 . Sent to PSP by certified mail. 20190816_191024.jpg
 
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my understanding is that if 2 it more are purchased within 5 days, yet another form must be completed. True,
True.

Buying 2 handguns within 5 days required a dealer to send a federal form to the ATF. The buyer didnt see this form, if i rember correctly.

Had a 2 FOR 1 SALE, buy a Ruger SBH & get a free Raven 25acp. :D The Raven was not really free. It was added into the price of the Ruger.

Laws today may be very different? The computer age.
 
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Thank you. Why did Pennsylvania, a supposedly gun friendly state, become such a stickler when it comes to handgun sales (and when did this come about)?

This is a MAJOR reason why my post 1898 revolver purchases are uncommon.
 
https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/fact-sheet/fact-sheet-multiple-firearms-sales

As to the why? Supposedly to find criminals buying guns for gangs.

Have a USG form 3310.4 Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers on my desk. One copy (first page) gets mailed to ATF, second page gets sent to local LEO's or state, Third page we just put in the 4473 like it was a file folder.
Sent the second page to the local boys in blue the first time and they called wanting to know what they were supposed to do with the form. I guess no other FFL in the city had ever sent them one.
 
Have a USG form 3310.4 Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers on my desk. One copy (first page) gets mailed to ATF, second page gets sent to local LEO's or state, Third page we just put in the 4473 like it was a file folder.
Sent the second page to the local boys in blue the first time and they called wanting to know what they were supposed to do with the form. I guess no other FFL in the city had ever sent them one.

You would be surprised how many FFLs don't know about the requirement and/or don't even have the form on hand.
 
1st post long time lurker.

The state has kept records of handgun purchases since 1931, and it has been a state police responsibility since 1943.


https://www.post-gazette.com/breaki...-police-handgun-registry/stories/200410200265

The records are indeed incomplete.

In 2013 the records showed i had purchased and owned 12 handguns.

Their number was off, way off.

Seems that somewhere between the old 7 day wait and the new laws passed in the 90's to instant cash & carry some of my purchases were lost. Would seem they are not the best record keepers.

I will say also from personal exp that any officer can check the registry.
From your local town constable to local police.

If it can be looked at to see handgun ownership then it is indeed a registry of some type.
No matter what they say it is or call it.
 
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