Atf 4473

[Tom488]

Just bought a rifle today, and was "admonished" by the clerk because I abbreviated my state on the 4473. I told him that I knew that other abbreviations (addresses, the yes/no thing, etc.) were not allowed, but that the states were, since their abbreviations are federally standardized, and can't be mis-interpreted. Plus, I've always abbreviated states on all prior 4473's. Let's face it - it's difficult, if not impossible, to fit the full name of a state in a box this --->_____<--- big.

He told me that as of Sept. 27th, state abbreviations were no longer allowed. Can anyone confirm this? I couldn't find anything on the ATF site. I asked him if this was in the latest ATF newsletter sent to FFL's - he said no, it was just a law change. Obviously, I don't believe him.

Anyone have any insight into this, or is this just another case of people making up their own laws?

 

[45Badger]

I've abbreviated a few forms in the last few weeks. Sometimes, I've even been known to write in "Rd" for "Road". The sky has not fallen, the jack-booted thugs have not kicked down my (or my regular FFL's) door, and all seems well in my gun buying universe.

 

[Standing Wolf]

He told me that as of Sept. 27th, state abbreviations were no longer allowed.

Oh, yeah? Where's it say so in the Second Amendment?

 

[Kurt S.]

Here in the great "gun-friendly" state of Texas, every time I've filled out a 4473 since the early 1990's I have asked by the seller not to abbreviate anything on the form. And I have bought a goodly number of guns at many different vendors.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

That wouldn't be a new law. It might be a new regulation by BATFE. That brings up the question of why a government agency would promulgate such a pointless regulation; but I guess that is like asking why jellyfish sting.

 

[Trebor]

When I sold guns a couple years ago I was instructed to not let the customers abbreviate *anything* on the 4473. They said to especially watch out for state abbreviations as that is the one customers were most likely to do.

As to what the actual ATF reg is, I can't say, but you have to understand how easy it is for a FFL holder to get into trouble with the ATF over seemingly trivial issues. If they don't want you to abbreviate, they are just trying to protect their license. Give 'em a break and spell out the state.

 

[obxned]

You don't need to be a trained and licensed veterinarian to know which end of a horse you are dealing with!

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Just bought a rifle today, and was "admonished" by the clerk because I abbreviated my state on the 4473.

Location: New Jersey

Need I say more?

 

[Tom488]

Need I say more?

Probably... because this purchase was made in Pennsylvania

And no, I didn't give the sales guy a hard time. I commented about how BATFE really should be concerned with more important things - he agreed - and we completed the sale (with me writing in TEENY TINY letters, NEW JERSEY, several times on the form).

 

[ServiceSoon]

Oh, yeah? Where's it say so in the Second Amendment?

You get me everytime with that question It makes me feel like you want me to scream...It doesn't it doesn't it doesn't!

 

[JohnBT]

"Where's it say so in the Second Amendment?"

It's in the fine print on the back, written in invisible ink. Did you lose your government-issued magic glasses?

John

 

[MisterPX]

With the chicken scratch that some people have for handwriting, it's easier to discern what state, etc., than by two marks that are supposed to be letters.

 

[NeoSpud]

Where's it say so in the Second Amendment?

The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed unless in tiny, tiny letters

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Muriel read the Commandment for her. It ran: "No animal
shall kill any other animal WITHOUT CAUSE." Somehow or other, the last two
words had slipped out of the animals' memory. But they saw now that the
Commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was good reason for
killing the traitors who had leagued themselves with Snowbal

l.

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

They haven't kicked down your door because they don't know where you live. The abbreviations must have thrown them off your trail.

Sometimes, I even been known to write in "Rd" for "Road". The sky has not fallen, the jack-booted thugs have not kicked down my (or my regular FFL's) door

 

[B. Adams]

I've bought guns from different dealers in my area, and most don't care if you abbreviate the state, but the ones that do can't be swayed.

The class 3 dealer in my area is one that doesn't mind the abbreviation. My guess is that if anyone would know how to do it right, it would be them.

But if a particular dealer wants you to write it out, you might as well do it. The other option is that they don't sell you a gun, and nobody wants that to happen.

 

[WeedWhacker]

A local Nevada FFL-holder owns a firearms shop which I prefer to frequent has also stated that 4473s must not have *any* abbreviations. I didn't grill him as to the details, but one only has to see the kind of crap the BATFE is putting Red's Trading post through (a "willful" violation of federal law because their records were sorted alphabetically in opposite direction the BATFE wanted, IIRC?) to realize that giving the thugs ANY excuse to nitpick is not too smart.

I like the guy and wish him well in his business venture - so I am careful not to use any abbreviations at all.

 

[revjen45]

I buy FTF at the gun show and avoid all that nonsense.

 

[Art Eatman]

Since half the posts in this thread are irrelevant to anything pertaining to legal issues, and the others are fringe...