BobCole, FYI, in California a FFL dealer completes form 4473 for the feds, and a DROS (dealer record of sale) worksheet for the state. We're not on NICS here, but the system is computerized. Storefront dealers enter the DROS info on a laptop in the store and kitchen table dealers call in the DROS info on a 1-800 number.
The DROS worksheet has no make, model, serial number, caliber info on long guns. Only a box is checked to indicate it's a "long gun" being transferred, could be either a rifle or a shotgun. All the state cares about is the DROS info. Federal form 4473 stays in the FFL dealer's records.
This apparent confusion over what CA knows about what kind of guns people own comes up every now and then. Back in 1999 when CA passed the AW ban I remember telling the folks on this board that California DOJ does NOT maintain long gun info, only handgun info. The only way DOJ would know if someone bought an assault weapon or a pump shotgun is if HE told them when HE registered it - or if a FFL gave up his license and turned over his records to BATF, and IF BATF shared that info with CA DOJ.