Hey FFL guys, Is there a federal regulation...

[walker944]

...that restricts the number of guns (long guns or handguns) you can purchase within a 7 day time frame, or any other window of time?

My local FFL implies that there are only so many guns (I believe it may have only been applicable to handguns) that I could purchase through him per week. I haven't asked him specifically about this yet, but will tomorrow. In the meantime, it would be good to have some input from the forum, particularly from you guys with your FFL. If you happen to have ready access to "chapter and verse", I'd appreciate that as well.

Thanks!

 

[crushbup]

I've never heard of any such thing.

(not an FFL)

 

[TexasRifleman]

There IS a law that requires multiple handgun purchases to be reported, your dealer probably doesn't want to mess with those so he's just telling you this story to avoid the problem.

There is no limit on the purchases, but they have to be reported in a specific manner. So there really isn't a restriction, just more paperwork for the dealer.

From the ATF website:

As a licensed dealer, must I advise ATF if I sell more than one handgun to an individual?

If you sell or dispose of more than one handgun to any non-licensee during a period of 5 consecutive business days, the sale must be reported on ATF Form 3310.4, Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers, not later than the close of the business day on which you sold or disposed of the second handgun. The licensee must forward a copy of the Form 3310.4 to the ATF office specified thereon, and another copy must be forwarded to the State police or local law enforcement agency where the sale occurred. A copy of the Form 3310.4 also must be attached to the firearms transaction record, ATF Form 4473, documenting the sale or disposition of the second handgun.

 

[GRIZ22]

The only federal reg I know of regarding quantity is the FFl has to send a form to ATF if you buy 2 (or 10) handguns within 7 days. No reg regarding rifles.

There may be some cooperation with ATFE regarding multiple gun purchases as they are concerned about guns going to Mexico and you do live in Texas.

 

[walker944]

It must be that he doesn't want to mess with the multiple handgun at a time purchases. I'll see him tomorrow morning and ask him what his reason is. I appreciate the comments.

 

[nalioth]

The only federal reg I know of regarding quantity is the FFl has to send a form to ATF if you buy 2 (or 10) handguns within 7 days. No reg regarding rifles.

. . or just hit the lotto and are buying 70 gazillion.

The law says "2 handguns or more" in a 7 day period.

 

[rogerjames]

My friends brother who is not and FFL, found a deal on Sigs. He bought 10 handguns to keep a few himself and resell the rest. FBI showed up at his house and wanted to know why he purchased that many guns. Apparently everything worked out fine but he had to answer a lot of questions, etc etc.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I learned from the Government's webpages having to do with background checks at FFL Dealers out of desire to learn.

I find that if you bought one, two weapons in a week, no problem. But if you started buying 5 handguns or a army's worth of weapons in a short time, they will be looking into you. If there is no reason to hide, it's a matter of going through questions, paperwork and other things that probably will make life interesting for a time.

I like buying weapons, so does the wife. But one per month is plenty sufficient and after about two or three more that's it. No more unless replacing one in the future.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

There is one thing we may be overlooking. I am not an ffl, that being said, could there be a local city, county, or state rule that would apply?

 

[crazy-mp]

if you started buying 5 handguns or a army's worth of weapons in a short time, they will be looking into you.

What about if you just buy alot of guns all the time? Its only what 7 weeks into the new year and I have already bought 7 long guns and 2 handguns.

Hello my name is Crazy-MP and I have a problem...

 

[Tom Servo]

Texas Rifleman has it right. I just checked the local regs in Tejas, and there is no limit on purchases.

As others have said, if you buy two or more handguns in a 7-day period, a form has to be sent to the ATF. No such paperwork is required for long guns.

As far as the dealer placing limits, he may have his own concerns. While I'm not too worried the current administration is going to try a ban per se, there's a real possibility that the DOJ could instruct the ATF to start refusing to renew FFL's.

The first ones they'll shut down are the gun dealers to whom crime guns have been traced, or the ones who've had record-keeping snafus in past audits (*). There's a great deal of paranoia about this at the moment.

Lately, a LOT of folks have been buying multiples of guns, and in some cases, they're clearly not "gun people." They may be planning to sell them at a hefty markup later (which is reprehensible but not illegal), or they could have less savory intentions.

I've had to ask more than a few folks some "point blank" questions since the election why they're buying multiple, cheap guns.

It could be your guy is just erring on the side of caution. Never hurts to ask. If it turns out he just doesn't want to do the paperwork (and I've seen this), well...there are other dealers out there

(*) Which is pretty much 100% of all gun dealers, when you get down to it. They can bust you if an abbreviation is used where it shouldn't be, if the hand-stamp is smeared, or if they just can't make out someone's handwriting.

As far as crime guns, you can't be in the business for any length of time without one of your guns ending up in a "crime." Of course, that can include carrying in an off-limits place, or being found in the car during a DUI arrest.

 

[kdave21]

I am an FFL- First, reporting of two or more handguns to ATF is correct, its not really that big of a deal, but yes they do have to be reported, and also are supposed to be reported to local law enforcement body.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me, which is fine, but I would feel uncomfortable selling 10 guns a week (as an example) to any one person on a regular basis. While it may be legal, common sense will tell you average citizen doesn't need that many guns per week, and there is an above average chance the person is engaging in some type of sales themselves. I have sold 10 guns at a time to one person, but I knew the individual, I trusted him, and it was a one time thing. Just random thoughts.

 

[c5_nc]

The dealer is probably watching out for you more than being lazy about the paperwork. My dealer stated above like what others have posted and recommends I pick up one gun per week. If I order 5 this week I pick up one every week for the next 5 weeks. Its not a huge deal but the less information sent to feds about me is the way to go if its simple.

 

[gun&knifecountry]

1 or 1000 no reg's on posting 5 days not 7 on multiple though

you can buy all you want we once transfered approx 85 handguns to a man it was an estate transfer though not purchase.

The multiple purchase requirements are for any mutiple purchase in 5 consecutive days from one store that the store is open. Which can range anywhere from 5 days to over 15 actual days or more.

For example Fred walks in to Super Gun Store which is open 7 days per week and buys a handgun on Monday then comes back on Sunday and buys another there would not need to be a multiple purchase form filled out. It was more than five consecutive business days

Fred Goes to Retired Jims gun shop that is only open on the weekend's ( Saturday and Sunday) and buys a Gun on Saturday the the first of May. Fred then goes back on Saturday the the fithtenth of May and buys another gun a multiple purchase would have to be filled out. Because that would be the fifth consecutive business day for Retired Jims gunshop.

There has been a recent ATF newsletter on this.