ATF inspection/4473 forms

[clrems77]

Ive never been audited by ATF before, but was hoping someone who has been can answer. I was told during my first ATF meeting, that if someone makes a simple mistake on the 4473 form they can draw a line through it, initial and write the correction above or next to the original.

I spoke to a friend who is also a FFL and was recently audited by ATF. They dinged him for EVERY little mistake on the 4473 and was told the forms need to be mistake free. Things he was dinged for were the above mentioned correction, different color ink used by seller/purchaser, leaving the middle name box blank when no middle name was present and a few other minor details. They also threatened to handcuff him and take him away to jail for not following the rules printed on the forms.

Just for reference, my friend is a very stand up guy with a great job and too much to lose to be trying to pull a fast one on the ATF/DOJ.

Does this sound like a normal ATF visit or could it have been the agents were just having a bad day?

[Josh3239]

It seems most peoples experiences will be different to some degree. I can tell you I've worked for a store that moves more guns than most stores and single line through, initial next to it, and write the correct one is SOP. We did a good amount of auditing and had a great relationship with the ATF. That said, there are good ATF auditors and bad ones. Sounds like you buddy got the ATF auditor from h*ll, the guy who's goal is to shut down a gun store.

[voodoomedman]

It seems most peoples experiences will be different to some degree. I can tell you I've worked for a store that moves more guns than most stores and single line through, initial next to it, and write the correct one is SOP. We did a good amount of auditing and had a great relationship with the ATF. That said, there are good ATF auditors and bad ones. Sounds like you buddy got the ATF auditor from h*ll, the guy who's goal is to shut down a gun store.

I'm going to say this. Just because an ATF rep says something doesn't mean it's legal. The guys auditing are called something like "Industry Operations Investigators" they are not LEO actually. Can't cuff you. If they suspected something they'd have to call in for an actual agent to hook and book. Sounds like your buddy got a Barney Fife type.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[clrems77]

Thanks guys. This eases my worries!!!

[Condorguns]

I have been audited many times. I find ATF to be much ease to deal with than DOJ. I have never been dinged for minor errors with a line and initial correction. If they have a lot of errors I will have them redo it. Never leave a box blank. They hate empty boxes.

[kemasa]

As said, it really depends on the IOI. Not all IOI are created equal. One FFL that I know was told he did a military transfer incorrectly, even though the instructions are on the 4473. The FFL needs to stand up for their rights, although not always when the IOI is there.