My first 4473+FFL experience, what I learned.

[bigalexe]

Well I had my first experience purchasing a new long-gun from an FFL which meant filling out a 4473. I purchased a used firearm from Gander Mountain.

What I knew going in:
-There would be paperwork
-ID would be asked for
-NICS Background check would be done and is nearly instant (and in my case come back clean).
-My name is now in some ATF database.

What I learned:
-I have filled out a lot of gov't paperwork for various things and the 4473 asks new questions and some of them are worded oddly, you NEED TO READ each one.
-There may be forms besides the federal 4473 form that are from the state you live in, in my case (Michigan) it was one to make sure I knew how to store the firearm and handle it. Basically it says something to the effect of "By signing you agree that you know gun safety in handling and storage."
-The store may have their own paperwork, in this case it was a form stating that I received a trigger lock or was purchasing a lockable case at the same time.
-The process can take much longer than expected.

Also on a side note for entertainment while I was filling these forms out I got to watch a kid almost get kicked out of the store for pointing an air rifle at people.

 

[docpadds]

We do our level best to make it as smooth a process as we can, especially with beginners. We have an electronic version folks can use to type their info in, or they can use the written one. We then run the NICs check through the online system and generally its painless for folks.
Thankfully we don't have extra paperwork, just got to give them the locks and usual leaflets etc.
We are finding that our way to talking to customers makes them feel a lot more comfortable and able to handle a transfer/buying online/ buying for first time etc...

 

[Zoidberg523]

Some places aren't so bad. The Dunhams in Grand Rapids, however, is terrible. I had to wait for eight days for the NICS check to come back on a Marlin .22LR. I mean, it's only a minor inconvenience, but it's still annoying.

 

[dakotasin]

can't you just go get it after 3 days?

 

[belus]

If NICS can't disqualify you in three days you get it by default. There must be something else going on there Zoidberg.

 

[Patriotme]

Gun purchases as getting approved a bit slower in VA. We are in the red (like most states now) and there is not enough funding to pay for a sufficient number of people at the State Police to run background checks.
Holiday shopping, Obama/Dem fear and a lack of manpower are causing a slow down in processing background checks. In all honesty though the wait is probably a couple of hours or possibly a day instead of the 15 minutes it usually takes.

 

[Zoidberg523]

If NICS can't disqualify you in three days you get it by default. There must be something else going on there Zoidberg.

That is true, and when I brought it up to their manager (you can bet I was on the phone with someone after a week) I was informed that they "wait for a reply, no matter how long it takes, to make sure that they wont get into any trouble!" That is word for word.

I seriously doubt whether I will buy any more firearms from their store.

 

[dogtown tom]

bigalexe:...My name is now in some ATF database...

Nope.

Your Form 4473 stays with that FFL for twenty years, after which it may be destroyed. If he ceases business, the FFL is required to ship the 4473's to ATF.

In Michigan, the Brady check for long guns is done through the FBI's NICS. By law, the NICS Section must destroy all identifying information on allowed transactions prior to the start of the next NICS operational day.

 

[rmodel65]

get a carry permit so you dont have to do the background check again while its valid

 

[Unistat]

^This is one of the nice side benefits of having a CPL. I probably would not have bought half as many guns this year if I didn't have one.

In addition, for private sales, a lot of sellers want to see a CPL from the buyer to make sure they are not selling to a criminal.

Btw, which gander did you go to, Novi or Taylor?

 

[BlkHawk73]

Never thought the process was a difficult, or long time event. Almost second nature actually.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I've not noticed any slowdown in VA.... but then I may be on a "preferred customer" list since they run my name so often! Mine never take more than a few minutes.

Not every state lets you use the CHP in lieu of a phone call. In VA it gets you waived from the "one handgun a month" limit, but they still have to call it in.

 

[EOD Guy]

If NICS can't disqualify you in three days you get it by default. There must be something else going on there Zoidberg.

Nope. If there is no reply in three business days, the dealer may release the firearm. They are not required to do so and many dealers don't.

 

[Mt Shooter]

get a carry permit so you dont have to do the background check again while its valid

Yup! sign on the dotted line and walk out with your shiny new piece. Here there is no wait either.

 

[DFW1911]

get a carry permit so you dont have to do the background check again while its valid

If allowed by your state. In Texas a valid CHL = no background check.

It's actually kind of nice to make a purchase and walk out while other customers are still waiting for their results. I've have received more than one "why's that guy special?" sort of looks by strolling past folks who are still "in the queue."

Just another benefit of being CHL

 

[highorder]

If there is no reply in three business days, the dealer may release the firearm. They are not required to do so and many dealers don't.

In fact, I've never know an FFL that would release a firearm without a PROCEED from NICS.

 

[Old Fuff]

The reason these background checks take so long is because all the criminals are buying guns from FFL retailers rather then stealing them or through they're own black market contacts. Those with illegal intentions would not want to be thought of as not obaying the law..

 

[suemarkp]

In fact, I've never know an FFL that would release a firearm without a PROCEED from NICS.

I always get a DELAY, and after 3 business days get to take the gun. Happens every time, no FFL has made me wait longer. I have a CPL and don't look like a loser, which I'm sure helps. I seem to always end up with a holiday and weekend in there, so it ends up being 6 calendar days.

 

[bigalexe]

get a carry permit so you dont have to do the background check again while its valid

If the courses weren't more than I paid for this rifle I would, also handguns are more money than I have at this time. However CCW is on the list of things to buy. At least I'm halfway through my want serious want list.

1.) Shotgun (Got it, gifted FTF)
2.) .22 Rifle (this purchase)
3.) Pistol (probably of the .40 or .45 semi-auto variety)
4.) CCW

Far future list
1.) AR-15 in .308

 

[22-rimfire]

By law, the NICS Section must destroy all identifying information on allowed transactions prior to the start of the next NICS operational day.

You actually believe that? The WV office of ATFE has indicated that they maintain a registry. That comes from a number of comments made on these forums. I didn't believe it either at first.

 

[dogtown tom]

22-rimfire Quote:

Dogtowntom quote:...By law, the NICS Section must destroy all identifying information on allowed transactions prior to the start of the next NICS operational day.

You actually believe that? The WV office of ATFE has indicated that they maintain a registry. That comes from a number of comments made on these forums. I didn't believe it either at first.

That IS Federal law. Whether I believe it or not is irrelevent.

Being that NICS is run by the FBI, I would like to know how the ATF "maintain" this registry.

The FBI did get handslapped several years ago for not deleting transaction information fast enough.

Some state POC's DO keep records.

 

[EOD Guy]

By law, the NICS Section must destroy all identifying information on allowed transactions prior to the start of the next NICS operational day.

You actually believe that? The WV office of ATFE has indicated that they maintain a registry. That comes from a number of comments made on these forums. I didn't believe it either at first.

The registry the BATF refers to is maintained under the provisions of the National Firearms Act. It contains firearms, such as machine guns, covered under the act. The main complaint gun owners have against the registry is that is is not complete.

As stated above, the BATF does not run the NICS. It's run by the FBI.

 

[Alimony Bob]

Florida waiting period & quick check

With a Florida Concealed Weapon Permit the FFL calls the FDLE,gives them your id data and within about 15 seconds is given a reference number which allows him to sell you the firearm on the spot and you go home with it the day you bought it. Interestingly the Fla CWP must be issued within 30 days of application if they can't come up with a reason not to issue it. Most are issued in a week or so.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Bigalexe, get your CPL, then shop for a carry gun.

I'm excited to renew my CPL in September 2010. My CPL was issued a couple months before the cutoff date where it qualifies as a NICS exemption, so I still have to call a background check in on myself. I always get a "this requires further review", get put over to someone else, give the NTN number, wait 10 seconds, get approved.

Guy with same exact name, same DOB, same city, state, and SSN 1 digit off is a career criminal. All sorts of violent crimes, like 3 or 4 warrants for murder, home invasion, etc. I hate doing it but that's why I ALWAYS give my SSN for NICS check, just because of that jerk. With the post-11/22/05 CPL I won't have to worry about it any more. Yippee!!

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I always had to wait till i got a Unique number this year. No wait any longer.