Posted: 2/12/2011 3:22:10 PM EDT
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What data is kept about you and the gun your purchased, by who, and how long? It is my understanding that the FFL dealer keeps a record for x amount of years to include serial number. The state gets data saying you purchased a gun, but they don't get a serial number? Can someone fill in the gaps and / or correct me. |
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At the federal level the FFL calls FBI NICS and gives them your full name, DOB, POB, height, weight, SSN (if given), race, state of residence, country of citizenship, and the type(s) of firearms (handgun, long gun, or other) that you are purchasing. FFL's are required to keep 4473's for 20 years.
Some states have other reporting requirements. I know in VA residents fill out a state form and the FFL calls the VASP for the background check, but I don't know what data gets sent to them. <–– FFL |
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Reason I am asking is because a guy at the range yesterday said that one of the good reasons he had for buying a black powder revolver was that there was no registration. Now I know that Va does not have any registration, but I also know somehow guns are traced back to owners... so I assumed info was kept by the FFL. I just was unsure how much. |
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Quoted: Reason I am asking is because a guy at the range yesterday said that one of the good reasons he had for buying a black powder revolver was that there was no registration. Now I know that Va does not have any registration, but I also know somehow guns are traced back to owners... so I assumed info was kept by the FFL. I just was unsure how much. black powder firearms are not considered "firearms" by the feds nor VA for the purpose of selling or possession. However VA state law does consider black powder firearms as weapons under the concealed weapons law, so you need a CHP to conceal one. In places without gun registration (VA is such a place) guns are traced to owners if the firearm is recovered in a crime. The manufacturer is contacted, who then tells LE what distributor the gun went to, then the dist. says what dealer, then the dealer looks up who they sold it to. Then they go from there. If the original owner kept records or otherwise remembers who they sold it to, be it an individual or a dealer, they go from there, etc. until they reach the end of the chain, which depends on how many times the gun changed hands. |
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Quoted:
.... If the original owner kept records or otherwise remembers who they sold it to, be it an individual or a dealer, they go from there, etc. until they reach the end of the chain... which is the current owner, or the last owner to have/remember info about the buyer. Good to keep records if you worry about unwanted knocks on the door. But if you don't remember you'll have more interest in you, and may become a suspect in some crime. But forgetting or losing purchaser info isn't a crime in and of itself. Years ago I had a brief encounter with the police, and I had a pistol on me. They wanted to know where the gun came from. I let him know it was a private out of state sale, and the FFL it transfered thru. This was very early in the morning (2am?). I never knew what he did with that info? No dogs were hurt in that encounter ... 
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Quoted:
Reason I am asking is because a guy at the range yesterday said that one of the good reasons he had for buying a black powder revolver was that there was no registration. Now I know that Va does not have any registration, but I also know somehow guns are traced back to owners... so I assumed info was kept by the FFL. I just was unsure how much. All your friend has to do is buy a gun in a private sale, there is no registration or background checks required for them. |