Firearms Record Keeping by Dealers

What is the time limit for a licensed dealer to record the purchase or other acquisition of a firearm?

What information must be recorded for each firearm received by a licensed dealer?

What must a licensed dealer do before commencing or continuing a firearms business?

How long does a licensed dealer have to record the sale or other disposition of a firearm?

What must a licensed dealer retain when making a disposition to a nonlicensee?

What must a licensed dealer maintain in bound form?

What is the exception to the record-keeping requirement for licensed dealers?

When must a licensed dealer retain the commercial record of a transaction when making a disposition to a licensee?

Each licensed dealer must maintain a record of every receipt and disposition of firearms, except as provided in § 478.124a for alternate records.
Before starting or continuing a firearms business, dealers must inventory their firearms and record them in the required format.

The record must be maintained in bound form and follow a specific format.
Records of firearm purchases or acquisitions must be made no later than the close of the next business day following the transaction.
Records must show:
- Date of receipt
- Name and address or license number of the person from whom received
- Manufacturer and importer (if any)
- Model, serial number, type, and caliber or gauge of the firearm

Records of firearm sales or dispositions must be made by the licensed dealer no later than 7 days following the transaction.
When disposing of a firearm to a non-licensee, the dealer must retain the Firearms Transaction Record (Form 4473) separately until the transaction is recorded.
When disposing of a firearm to a licensee, the commercial record of the transaction must be retained separately until the transaction is recorded.
Records must show:
- Date of sale or disposition
- Name and address of the person to whom the firearm is transferred, or their license number if applicable