Type 03-FFA ATF Audit Questions - Only using for personal ammunition purchases

[gdw]

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere, but have done a ton of searches, and not really finding anything. This is more of a question around personal experiences.

I'm thinking about getting a Type 03 simply for the ability to make ammunition purchases SOLELY for my own personal use. I do not intend to collect, nor do I intend to sell anything I purchase.

I realize if you do this using a home address, you are subject to "not more than annual" audits.

Has anyone with a Type 03 experienced an ATF audit? What exactly are you supposed to keep in terms of records if you only purchase for personal use? Do they really perform audits on Type 03's that often? They of course can "search" your entire home, but how do you prove you are only buying for personal use and therefore there is nothing to "search for"? If ammunition is for personal use only, do they ding you for not locking it up at home?

So many questions, and just getting started here. Would love it if anyone can share experiences or point me in the right direction so I can teach myself.

Thanks.


Edited to add: Found this page with some interesting statistics. Very few Type 03 audits it looks like. Still interested in the "what and how" above though.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/compliance-inspections

[Sig so sour of ca]

I'm assuming you mean 03 c&r, correct? Not 03 FFL. 03c&r I've never personally met anyone that was every audited. It's literally a license saying your getting this for collecting. There's no problem getting ammo for your own supply.

My understanding is that if you are "audited", you set up a time and meet at the local ATF office, bringing in your bound book.

[gdw]

My understanding is that if you are "audited", you set up a time and meet at the local ATF office, bringing in your bound book.

Which for my intended use would be an empty book. Vis a vis ammunition, the regs seem to require tracking only of "armor piercing" ammunition.

[D_K]

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere, but have done a ton of searches, and not really finding anything. This is more of a question around personal experiences.

I'm thinking about getting a Type 03 simply for the ability to make ammunition purchases SOLELY for my own personal use. I do not intend to collect, nor do I intend to sell anything I purchase.

I realize if you do this using a home address, you are subject to "not more than annual" audits.

Has anyone with a Type 03 experienced an ATF audit? What exactly are you supposed to keep in terms of records if you only purchase for personal use? Do they really perform audits on Type 03's that often? They of course can "search" your entire home, but how do you prove you are only buying for personal use and therefore there is nothing to "search for"? If ammunition is for personal use only, do they ding you for not locking it up at home?

So many questions, and just getting started here. Would love it if anyone can share experiences or point me in the right direction so I can teach myself.

Thanks.


Edited to add: Found this page with some interesting statistics. Very few Type 03 audits it looks like. Still interested in the "what and how" above though.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/compliance-inspections

I've had mine for a couple of years and no audits. Now initially I too got my ffl03 and coe for ammo purchases to my door and also the 1 in 30 work around but you never know when a nice sks or other c&r might get you to buy it and this makes it a little easier

As for audits they call and schedule a time at your home or at the field office.

[cz74]

Search in the C&R forum, I saw one post from years ago describing his "audit" experience, basically schedule a meet at their field office and you bring your bound book, they cross reference, done in 5 minutes.

[Capybara]

You're not going to get audited.

[mdr110]

Federal doesn't give rat azzz about you buying ammo its a CA thing.

[mej16489]

I've never been audited in 15-ish years including an interstate move. From those who I know who have been audited; it was by appointment at a field office somewhere and they simply brought in their 'bound book' for review.

[scout II]

I was never audited in 15 years of having a C&R FFL, even after putting down on the renewal applications that I had purchased 20 or so guns and sold a few.

[sbo80]

I'm assuming you mean 03 c&r, correct? Not 03 FFL

An 03 is a type of FFL. There are 9 different types. Most people say "FFL" as shorthand for a dealer, but more accurately they specifically mean "Type 01 FFL". On my FFL Information Card it says "License Type: 03-Collector of Curios and Relics". There's other types like Type 06 Ammunition Manufacturer, Type 11 Importer of Destructive Devices, etc.
To the OP, it's a Federal license. If the ATF chooses to do an audit, they have nothing to do with "ammo purchases" since that isn't an ATF thing. OP is also doing what a lot of people do, and thinking of it as "using" your license. That's not accurate. You are licensed. CA happens to say you are exempt from certain CA laws, if you are licensed. You don't "use" your license when you buy ammo and skip the check. Rather, the ammo check doesn't apply to you, because you are exempt. The ATF certainly doesn't care. The ATF requires a license holder to keep a Bound Book, a record of all acquisitions and dispositions of C&R firearms during your time of licensure. If that is zero, then it's blank, and the audit is really easy. Do note the table in the link used. In 2020, the ATF inspected 3 people with an 03 FFL. THREE. In the entire USA. And I'd be willing to bet all 3 of those were instigated by some sort of "issue" where they were really trying to trace a firearm.

[rromeo]

With an 03 FFL, you are most likely to get audited if your name pops up during an audit of an 01 FFL that has some issues. And most of the time, they're looking to see if that dealer's dispositions are legitimate.
Otherwise, they almost forget you exist.

[SVT-40]

I've had a 03 C&R license since the 80's.

I had one audit it was in the 90's, and a non event. The auditor came out and I had my acquisitions out in my living room.

She verified the SN's in my book as I read them off the firearms.

It took about 30 min.

Having a audit isn't a "search". Auditors have no legal authority to search anywhere.

If all you are doing is buying ammo, then you would have nothing listed in your bound book.

But you would have to have a empty book to show when asked to show your records.

Now licensees are required to keep records of acquisitions and dispositions of "armor piercing ammunition".

But if you don't acquire or dispose of any there would be no records.

[gdw]

Really appreciate all of the feedback...felt like a no brainer, so applied a couple days ago for both the 03 and the COE.

[Capybara]

You will enjoy the perks and will probably go broke buying cool C&Rs and ammo to your door! It's great.