Responsibilities when completing FFL transfer paperwork

[orpington]

I completed the transfer of a firearm shipped to my FFL earlier today. Being a handgun, it was the Federal (4473) and state forms. I only have a copy of the state form, however.

The revolver was shipped in a FedEx box with the FFL of the seller and a note that it was for me, and that was it. The revolver purchased is by a major manufacturer and being produced in the first few years of the last century, not antique but not obvious as to model, calibre, or serial number. So the FFL guessed as to the model, believing the 3 digit serial number was the model, and the assembly number was the serial number. The only reason why this was even asked was because the seller googled the serial number as though it was the model and could not find an appropriate calibre.

So, I corrected him and everything was done properly. To be honest with you, I have never even looked at the data entered with regards to a firearm purchased and it could be such that other(s) are incorrect as well.

So,

1) Is it my responsibility to proofread as correct?

2) Does it matter if the serial number is entered as the model and the assembly number as the serial number?

3) Is it in my best interest to have this filled out correctly and, if an error is later identified, how does one proceed? (I also might not have saved all paperwork throughout the years).

 

[Texas10mm]

It's YOUR job to fill out YOUR portion of the 4473 correctly. Beyond that if the FFL is an idiot that's not your problem.

Be aware that if you live in a slave/nanny state the above doesn't apply.

 

[Frank Ettin]

It's YOUR job to fill out YOUR portion of the 4473 correctly. Beyond that if the FFL is an idiot that's not your problem....

Yes and no.

One isn't likely to go to jail because the dealer messed up his portion of the 4473. However, getting and retaining accurate documentation of the transaction could be in the buyer's best interest. For example:

1. If the gun is lost or stolen, accurate documentation of how and when the gun was acquired could help facilitate making and collecting on an insurance claim.
   
   
2. I the gun is lost or stolen and subsequently recovered by the police, accurate documentation of how and when the gun was acquired could help facilitate the buyer's recovery of the gun from the police.

 

[Texas10mm]

I compile my own list of serial numbers and such, along with pictures. Many times I can't remember where or when I bought a firearm unless I consult my list.

If YOU can't provide the police with a serial number the chances of getting your firearm back are basically zero.

 

[orpington]

Of course I keep a list of everything. Better yet, I have most serial numbers memorized. Never do I rely on paperwork from the FFL transfer as my record.

What IS the point of this paperwork? If the call was made and I was determined to be legitimate, it seems it could all then and there be destroyed. Since it is not, is the purpose to track in case of theft or loss? Fair enough. Or, is it to "track" who has what? That I have more of a problem with?

 

[Twiki357]

Other than the reasons listed by Frank, it doesn’t make any difference to you unless maybe you live somewhere that requires gun registration, presumably by the FFL.

I have three handguns that the selling pawn broker listed an incorrect serial number on the receipt. I have no idea what he put on the 4473, but I assume it is the same as the receipt. I also have one that both the seller and the delivering FFLs listed the assembly number as the serial number. I just noted the errors in my records in case any question arises in the future.

 

[Hunter86004]

If YOU can't provide the police with a serial number the chances of getting your firearm back are basically zero.[/QUO

They are zero and your gun won't make it on to the NCIC list of stolen firearms.

 

[herrwalther]

You must do everything you can to make sure the i is dotted and the t is crossed. If the dealer portion of the 4473 is being filled out in front of you, you can glance over and make sure everything is done right. Based on what you can see. But don't demand or ask to be a proof reader on a 4473, that is a good way to get denied a sale if the clerk is having a bad day.

I traveled over an hour to a gun shop to pickup a stripped AR lower a couple years ago. I paid for it and he handed it over in a box. Now I could have easily walked out with that AR lower. But knowing the lower is "the firearm" as far as the ATF is concerned, I corrected the clerk and gently reminded him that I needed to fill out a 4473 and do a NICS check for an AR lower. And it gave me 15 minutes to wander around the store.

 

[Theohazard]

But don't demand or ask to be a proof reader on a 4473, that is a good way to get denied a sale if the clerk is having a bad day.

It doesn’t happen all that often, but if a customer wants to check my portion of the 4473, I welcome it. I’d much rather they catch a mistake before the gun goes out the door than my boss catch it when he’s looking through the paperwork later. Or even worse, the ATF catch it during an inspection.

 

[CapnMac]

Actually stories abound on arms that are regularly misidentified.
Anything with Cyrillic lettering is likely to be recorded wrongly, unless the person recording the info knows what they are about (and many do).
There's a pretty common model of something (and CRS is hitting me hard right now, naturally) where the Drawing Number or Pattern Number is commonly listed as the serial. IIRC, even the ATF knows about this, and will use it as an example.

Usually this eror occurs when the item goes in the Bound Book. Which usually drives the info on the sale tag. Which is sometimes caught when the item goes into the Bound Book as sold. Sometimes.

The 4473 is largely for show. A fifty-year old reminder that we have to prove we are innocent to purchase a firearm. If you, truthfully, answer "Yes" to a "No" question, all you have done is waste the clerk's time. A team of ATF do not leap out of the cupboard and toss you in irons. Ditto if you get a "Deny" from NICS.
Now, in those place where you have to register arms, then, yes, you really need to cross the t's, and dot both the i's and j's, and remember to not abbreviate unless allowed to. That's different from the 4473 process.

 

[herrwalther]

It doesn’t happen all that often, but if a customer wants to check my portion of the 4473, I welcome it. I’d much rather they catch a mistake before the gun goes out the door than my boss catch it when he’s looking through the paperwork later. Or even worse, the ATF catch it during an inspection.

At least you are honest. One of the reasons I don't buy firearms at Academy anymore is because I disagreed with a clerk when he said "Leupold scopes are overpriced pieces of s***." And he denied me from buying a Maverick 88.

 

[Elkins45]

In this age of digital photography it's cheap insurance to take multiple photos of all your guns, including close ups of the serial numbers. My insurance carrier strongly recommends this as documentation you did indeed own a particular gun if you ever need to file a claim. I own several guns that weren't accompanied by a sales receipt and this is the only way I can show they were actually in my possession.