Just curious about gun purchases and FFL...

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
Supporter
It's been mentioned that one of the options in the current gun debate is that private sales will most likely require a background check before selling to an individual. Hopefully that doesn't come to pass BUT is there currently a way for an individual to check a firearm serial number to possibility see who purchased it and where and when? Just curious. For instance I was told I can go to Gander Mountain and ask for copies of my purchases.
 
The FFL has a book of sales that he turns in when he stops being an FFL. His records can be reviewed at the shop by the ATF&E or FBI or those records can be reviewed through a court order.

There may be a local gun registration database, but it would be LEO only. There is no national gun database except for those already in evidence lockup.

If Gander Mountain is storing your purchase records there may be an issue there with some federal laws they might be in violation of. they might have a record of a sale at the register, but serialized and a copy of the 4437, probably not.

When they close the "gun show loop hole" for private sales and require a back ground check for all firearms sales, it will require a need to revamp the NICS since you have to have a FFL user number to use the NICS. I don't think its going to work out as well as they want it to. Better to go to a national "good guy" ID card and get your NICS endorsment every year.
 
If Gander Mountain is storing your purchase records there may be an issue there with some federal laws they might be in violation of. they might have a record of a sale at the register, but serialized and a copy of the 4437, probably not.

When they close the "gun show loop hole" for private sales and require a back ground check for all firearms sales, it will require a need to revamp the NICS since you have to have a FFL user number to use the NICS.
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Thanks Ray, Yep, we already have the "good guy" card here. What you've noted above led to my question. I read about the NICS how it works as well as reviewing the AFT 4437 form. I do not have a copy of the AFT 4437 form for any of the firearms I've purchased and was wondering if I could get a copy for proof of ownership. I can not find any information how I can obtain a copy either. I question the person that told me "just go to Gander Mountain and ask for a copy". Since this form has to be filled out and signed by hand and for any gun shop to retain files for every sale to be able to provide a customer say 8 years later with a copy would be a monumental task.
 
I don't see any reason that private sales couldn't use the existing FFL's for a nominal fee. We already have to do this for sales from out of state. For an in-state face to face sale, it's just as easy for me to meet someone in the parking lot at my local firearms dealer as it is to meet at a park and ride lot or the mall.

At a gun show, there is always going to be a licensed dealer at the show who can do the background check, and it would be pretty simple for gun show organizers to make sure at least one booth was willing to offer this service for private sales. I think the last time I was thinking about buying an out-of-state gun my local dealer was going to charge $20 for this service. I would have been happy to give him a little business, but I found a gun locally instead.
 
Up here there are fewer FFL holders that are willing to work with folks. Most charge $50 per transfer. One guy still charges $20. Gun stores either don't do private sales or charge even higher fees. The four FFL holders that I have used in the past four years are all "out of the business" of private sales for Joe Public. Even a guy I used twice won't work with me again.

Locally there is a huge private sale market. Moving from having to coordinate two guys meeting in a parking lot, to two guys having to meet at a third party's house or business to process a 4437 is kind of silly. Its hard enough to meet up with FFL holders that work from home, toss two other guys with varying work schedules and it is going to get complicated.

Plus there is the whole intrastate vs interstate issue. The Feds don't have much legal standing for overseeing intrastate commerce. I don't know how they could enact a law or EO on an existing law that would stand up to a legal review when it comes to intrastate commerce. As it is now they have no authority over private sales and shipping firearms within a state. Across state borders you need an FFL holder involved.
 
Ed the FFL form is 4473 not 4437 they are retained by the store for 10 year plus ? I work in CABELA,s Gun library for three years best,Bill
 
Up here there are fewer FFL holders that are willing to work with folks. Most charge $50 per transfer. One guy still charges $20. Gun stores either don't do private sales or charge even higher fees. The four FFL holders that I have used in the past four years are all "out of the business" of private sales for Joe Public. Even a guy I used twice won't work with me again.

Locally there is a huge private sale market. Moving from having to coordinate two guys meeting in a parking lot, to two guys having to meet at a third party's house or business to process a 4437 is kind of silly. Its hard enough to meet up with FFL holders that work from home, toss two other guys with varying work schedules and it is going to get complicated.

Plus there is the whole intrastate vs interstate issue. The Feds don't have much legal standing for overseeing intrastate commerce. I don't know how they could enact a law or EO on an existing law that would stand up to a legal review when it comes to intrastate commerce. As it is now they have no authority over private sales and shipping firearms within a state. Across state borders you need an FFL holder involved.
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don't be so sure Ray. The Fed's just made it a crime to not purchase health insurance. You don't buy health insurance, you get taxed. Most, make that all insurance is Intra State (another stupid rule) and I don't see it much of a stretch for the Feds to insert themselves in intrastate gun business as they are doing it for the benefit of the US. Governement really pisses me off sometimes.

Mark W
 
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