You’re splitting hairs, but you’re right.I think we need to define terms. Microfilm is most definitely NOT a digital medium. It’s 100% analog, and it is not searchable like a database. Even the article you linked says that. They can’t just type in a serial number on a computer. Someone has to scroll through rolls of microfilm until they find an image of the 4473. It’s simply not to correct to say the records are digitized.
There isn’t a prosecutor or investigator on the planet would prefer to have LESS evidence to use against a suspect.