Yes. When a single government-issued identification document is not endorsed with the transferee’s full legal name and/or current residence address as recorded in items 9 and 10, and the transferee presents a combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification document requirement, item 26.b. on Form 4473 (formerly item 18.b. on the 2016 Form 4473) is used.
A person who recently changed his or her name owing to a change in marital status is an example of this. Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) may accept a combination of legitimate government-issued documents to satisfy the Brady Act’s identification document requirements, according to ATF Ruling 2001-5. Another valid, government-issued document showing the transferee’s dwelling address or full legal name may be used to complement the required valid government-issued photo identity document holding the transferee’s name, photograph, and date of birth.
A government organization must issue these additional documents. A tax bill, vehicle registration, and voter identity card are examples of documents that will often fit these standards.
Rental documents, leases, cable bills, phone bills, credit card bills, bank documents, and other documents issued by private companies or individuals may not be used as supplemental identity documents for the purchase or acquisition of a firearm.
Is it possible to utilize a PO box on a 4473?
Although the Form 4473 states that a P.O. Box is not an acceptable residential address, the ATF has been informed that a number of states issue driver’s licenses with only a P.O. Box or Rural Route number as the holder’s residence address.
What happens if you fill out a 4473 form incorrectly?
Dealing with 4473 mistakes is one of the most serious compliance challenges that FFLs face. Errors on the 4473 can cause serious issues, such as the inability to execute a background check effectively or just putting your records out of compliance, making your next ATF audit a nightmare.
On a paper 4473, it’s nearly hard to avoid making mistakes. That’s why many FFLs are opting for a digital 4473 and digital bound books, which alert you to problems and prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Paper 4473s, on the other hand, aren’t going away, and like all government forms, they can be confusing or impossible to fill out for certain people. That means mistakes will happen, and there’s a strong chance you’ll miss them if you give yourself enough time. Let’s take a look at the three most common 4473 errors and how to avoid them!
Are you the firearm’s actual transferee buyer?
Question 11(a), “Are You The Actual Transferee/Buyer?” is another area where transferees get confused when filling out the paperwork. Although this provision is not new, it has been on the 4473 for at least a decade, and it comes before a series of questions in which the transferee must select “No.” This box is frequently ticked in haste, but it is also checked periodically when someone is purchasing a firearm as a present for another personanswering “No” to this question implies the FFL will not be able to complete the transaction.
What if a firearm is given as a present?
If the beneficiary lives in the same state as you, this is simple. There has been considerable debate about whether this is a “straw buy,” which is prohibited, however ATF Form 4473 plainly notes in the “Notes” portion of the form:
Question 11.a. Actual Buyer/Transferee: If you are purchasing the firearm for yourself or otherwise acquiring the firearm for yourself (e.g., redeeming the firearm from pawn/retrieving it from consignment, winning a firearm raffle), you are the actual transferee/buyer for the purposes of this form. If you are purchasing a firearm as a gift for a third party, you are also the actual transferee/buyer.
EXAMPLES OF ACTUAL TRANSFEREES/BUYERS: Mr. Smith requests Mr. Jones to acquire a handgun for him. Mr. Smith hands over the money for the pistol to Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones is NOT THE ACTUAL TRANSFEREE/BUYER OF THE FIREARM, hence he must respond “NO” to question 11.a. Mr. Jones may not receive the handgun from the licensee. Mr. Brown is the actual transferee/buyer of the handgun and should respond “YES” to question 11.a if he buys a firearm with his own money to give to Mr. Black as a present. You may not, however, transfer a firearm to anybody you know or have reason to think is forbidden under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), (n), or (o) (x).
What does an ATF audit entail?
- Inspections by the ATF are carried out to assist FFLs in avoiding future infractions and gaining a better understanding of the rules.
- FFL is randomly selected for examination by the ATF; however, failing to complete ATF trace requests on time may increase your chances of being inspected.
- Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) from the ATF will conduct inspections and assess documentation, firearm inventory, and business practices.
- In addition, IOIs will provide information on best practices for adhering to rules and regulations.
Downloading the Application
The application can take up to 30 minutes to download; however, the typical download time is only about 5 minutes. To correctly display PDF documents, users must adjust their default settings to Microsoft Edge for Windows OS or Preview for MacOS before using the e4473 program. To update your default settings, please follow the steps below:
Microsoft Windows
To print a completed ATF Form 4473 using an older version of Windows, you must first save the PDF file to your computer. Then, after saving the file, open it and print the form. Please see Printing e4473 PDF Using Older Windows Operating System for further information.
ATF cannot guarantee the following if the current version of Microsoft operating system is not used:
Download the latest ZIP code file
For the initial installation, this step is required to verify that the most recent version of the zip code file is active. Please visit this website at least once a month to get the most recent information.
The e4473 application, built by the ATF, is given “as is.” ATF provides no warranties of any kind, express or implicit, in fact or by operation of law, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose, non-infringement, and data accuracy. When using a non-current operating system, ATF makes no representations or warranties that the software will run without interruption or errors.
What does it mean to be diagnosed with a mental illness?
A verdict of (1) not guilty by reason of insanity in a criminal case or (2) inability to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental responsibility in a military court martial is considered “adjudicated as a mental defective” (id.).