Firearms Record Keeping by Dealers

Firearms Receipt and Disposition by Dealers

• 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.

Record Requirements

• 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

Disposition of Firearms

• 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

Quiz on the rules and regulations for licensed firearms dealers regarding record keeping for receipts and dispositions of firearms.