Multiple gun purchases in a single day

[Ditto_95]

I have a friend that owns apawnshop that sells guns.
I traded in a Colt Commander that I no longer needed towards a couple of snub nosed S&W .38's.
When I was filling out the paperwork he told me that I would need to come back to get the second gun.
I asked why and he told me that the ATF doesn't like multiple handgun purchases at the same time.
I told him I would worry about that and let me take the guns that day.
He relented since we are friends but warned me.

Anyone else ever heard of this?
I have, in the past purchased multiple handguns at one time and never had an issue. This is in several different states while I was in the military.

 

[everallm]

Multiple, simultaneous purchases are required to be reported to the ATF.

It's not a problem for you unless there is a regular pattern, in which case it is possible that you may get a visit to ensure you are neither running a business or acting as a straw purchaser.

 

[Duke Junior]

I have, in the past purchased multiple handguns at one time and never had an issue. This is in several different states while I was in the military.

I have also with no comment from the gun shop sellers.
Your friend just appears to be the ultra-cautious type and was probably just(in his mind at least)looking out for you.
everallm has nailed the situation.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Multiple handgun transfers from the same FFL within a five day period must be reported to the ATF on form 3310.4.

In all likelihood, the dealer just didn't want to have to bother with the extra paperwork.

 

[Valkman]

I've done it in Las Vegas, had to fill out the extra form and that's it. Who cares who doesn't like it?

 

[Ash]

I like my privacy too much. I divide them up over multiple weeks because a) I don't have to have them all at once and 2) I frankly don't want a form reported to the ATF with my name on it.

I wouldn't be worried about it, but no point giving more personal data to the government than necessary.

Ash

 

[Griz44]

MOJO is correct, when I do multiple transactions at a time, there is a second form that has to be filled out, faxed to the FBI and to the local LE. It's no big deal, just takes a few extra minutes. Some folks do not like that and elect to wait for a week to pick up the second + gun.

 

[MMCSRET]

In the states where I do my gun buying, I fill out the 4473 and show my CCW, pay and walk out. No telephone call for clearance, no follow up. I have never bought more than 2 at a time, but it was never a problem.

 

[Hawk]

Perversely, I like being on the radar but have only managed the finances and inclination to get my dealer to fill out one of those "multiple handgun purchase" things once so far.

The dealer fills 'em out. Apart from a "courtesy notice" by telling me it was going to happen it would have been 100% transparent.

 

[ColinthePilot]

Who can afford more than one gun at a time? I'll never have that problem

 

[searcher451]

In Oregon, there's a $10 fee for a state police background check when you purchase a firearm. If you buy more than one gun at the same time on the same day, the background check fee remains at $10. If you come back later in the same day and decide that you want to pick up yet another gun, the charge is $5 instead of $10. I've stacked up guns at times over a couple of weeks and ran them all through my FFL guy on the same day, saving $10 for each gun purchased.

 

[Ash]

For long guns, there is no reporting that I am aware of.

Ash

 

[romma]

Seeing how I live 50 miles from any decent gun shop, I don't want to have to drive back two or three different times to purchase more than one gun if I want them. Gas is expensive.

 

[Griz44]

MM, the form will get filled out and sent in whether you realize it or not. The customer does not sign it or even know it exists. It is a dealer responsibility every time more than one gun goes onto the 4473 list. Having a CHL is great and saves the NICS check, but the form still gets filled out.

.

 

[Wes Janson]

Doesn't quite make sense, unless the dealer seriously doesn't understand ATF procedure. Having the customer come back in a few hours to buy a second handgun doesn't change anything, other than necessitating that they complete a SECOND 4473, and do ANOTHER background check. If the dealer hoped to get out of doing a Multiple, then he's not only breaking the law, but he's also really creating more work by having to do everything else all over again (unless he's just committing another violation by putting the second handgun on the same 4473).

 

[Ash]

The form gets sent in only for hand guns, not long guns.

Ash

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I have bought multiple handguns several times from the same vendor on the same day. The dealer always does the paperwork per the law. I have never had a visit from the ATF. The last time when I bought two Astra revolvers at once I suggested that to save him the paperwork I could come back in a week for one of them. He told me "No way"...that he didn't mind the paperwork and as far as he knew that deliberately trying to obfuscate a multiple buy might be construed by some over-zealous Fed like some money launderer circumventing federal regulations by moving money in $9999 amounts to circumvent the $10,000 reporting requirement. They call that "structuring a financial dealing" or something. I thanked him for his concern and went ahead and took both home that day. I am not paranoid and don't worry about the ATF as I am legit but the FFL guy may be right...better to stay on the up and up. Who knows how someone else might view the law?


On the other hand, a few years ago my FFL told me that during his annual FFL inspection by the ATF the agent asked about me..."Why is this guy buying so many guns?" He explained that I had the money, the inclination and that it was my hobby. The agent said no one needed that many guns. At the time I'd bought about 30 guns at that store. What troubled me was that the agent xeroxed my Form 4473's "for his/her files".

 

[jackdanson]

At the time I'd bought about 30 guns at that store. What troubled me was that the agent xeroxed my Form 4473's "for his/her files".

That kind of thing makes me want to buy ftf only.

 

[NukemJim]

multiple, simultaneous purchases are required to be reported to the ATF

And just as an FYI, multiple handgun purchases are also reported to Mayor Daley of Chicago barf.

Well actually to be more precise the Chicago Police Dept, but I figure that's close enough. Daley sued the ATF and won over the right for this data.

NukemJim

 

[denfoote]

I understand the NRA is preparing a lawsuit that will settle Daley's hash!!

 

[Catherine]

I bought 1, 2 and even 3 guns on the SAME day, in the past, at my former gun shop when I lived back east. This is when I started to buy my own guns back in 1998-2001.

I did not want to make a second trip, drive 30 miles one way via turnpike and it was allowed in my former state.

No one said anything to me about it at the time.

I never had a problem with any of it even though I think that the BATF should be ABOLISHED. No offense.

Catherine

 

[jackstinson]

It's never been a problem for me here in central Ohio. I've bought two or three guns at once a few times over the past year from three different local shops. It's quicker for me since I only have to fill out one form for all the guns purchased.
A couple weeks ago I stopped in a shop to pick up a gun on my way to the range, then stopped at the shop on my way home and bought another. Since they were separate transactions I had to fill out two forms, and they had to make two calls, but again...no problem.
I've also stopped in at my FFL guy to pick up two pistols bought off Gunbroker, then stopped at the local shop and bought another gun...again, no problem.
But like Arlo said, "friends, somewhere in Washington, enshrined in some little folder, is a study in black and white of my fingerprints."

 

[MMCSRET]

Heard and witnessed another one the other day. I was in another state on business and went with my cousin(same age as I) to buy a new style Vaquero, he showed his CCW, the clerk says "that makes it easy" took the money for the revolver. We are standing there waiting for a 4473 when the clerk says"we don't have to do that if you have a CCW" and we were ushered to the door. This in a very large chain sporting goods and outdoor supply store. They have over 50 stores in several states. HUH!!!!!!!

 

[Duke Junior]

Heard and witnessed another one the other day. I was in another state on business and went with my cousin(same age as I) to buy a new style Vaquero, he showed his CCW, the clerk says "that makes it easy" took the money for the revolver. We are standing there waiting for a 4473 when the clerk says"we don't have to do that if you have a CCW" and we were ushered to the door. This in a very large chain sporting goods and outdoor supply store. They have over 50 stores in several states. HUH!!!

I would say that clerk was wrong.I'm been using my carry permit for purchases for years and not once to my memory has that 4473 not been filled out.
An ATF requirement,TMK,permit or not,when buying from an FFL-01.

 

[sarge83]

the pawn/gun shop I frequent won't do two handgun sales without 5 business days between each purchase. Long guns, no problem, as many as you want but not handguns.