Okay, what's the "bound book" look like?

[wilit]

I just got a "big packet" today in the mail. The contents included:

1 thick blue book titled "State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms" ATF 5300.5
1 thinner white book titled "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide" ATF 5300.4
1 thin brown book titled "Firearms Curios or Relics List" ATF 5300.11
1 glossy covered book titled "Safety and Security Information for Federal Firearms Licensees" ATF 3317.2
1 passport sized "pamphlet" titled "Personal Firearms Record" ATF 3312.8
1 application for "Requisition for Firearms/Explosives forms" ATF 1370.2
1 application for "An Ammended Federal Firearms License" ATF 5300.38
1 "Federal Firearms Licensee Firearms Inventory Theft/Loss Report" ATF 3310.11

I know I have to log any C&R transfers into the "bound book" but what is it? Is it supposed to come with the big packet and I just didn't get it, or am I supposed to aquire it separately?

[Librarian]

See this link from Surplus Rifle for an example.

[pogo]

LIbrarian's link has some very good information. For my latest book I simply ordered one from Brownells, it suits me fine, before that I made one out of a bound notebook.

Congrats, by the way on your new license!!!

[bobfried]

I use an Excel spreadsheet, 100% legal and much better redudancy. I keep an active copy on my computer, a backup copy on another and I back up on a USB stick once in awhile. Much more secure and safe than on a piece of paper.

[pogo]

Bobfried, do you have to get prior permission from the BATFE to use the spreadsheet, or can any C&R holder do that now?

[Fate]

Legally, you have to have a "piece of paper." That is the official "bound book."

Now many of us use that pdf from surplusrifle.com. It's great. 3-ring hole punch it and put those pages in a binder and you are good to go. No need to buy anything.

[bobfried]

No you do not need permission or anything else from ATF. As stated above you only need to have a paper copy when the audit comes. I personally print out a new copy when I do a major order.

I've talked to several ATF agents and they all have given the ok. As long as you are able to produced a "bound book" when the time comes for an audit your fine. Which means any properly set-up form with the correct and required information on it in a 3 ring binder and your good.

Again, with the redudancy I personally think keeping an Excel spreadsheet is much safer than a physical copy as that can be abused, torn, dirtied, lost, stolen, burn, thrown out and all kind of other physical problems. I even go as far as EMAILING myself a copy once in awhile, that way it sits in some random server somewhere in the US and I'll ALWAYS have access to it. I can produce a bound book on a moment notice anywhere on earth as long as I have access to a computer, internet and printer. That's more than most 03FFL can claim.

[chiefcrash]

ATF approval is required if you want to keep an electronic copy ONLY. If you keep an electronic "backup" of your paper bound book, that's fine.

What i do is keep a electronic bound book. every time something gets added to the book, just print it out and 3-hole punch it.