If you've ever bought a gun from a dealer, you've filled out ATF Form 4473. It's the federally mandated paperwork that every licensed FFL dealer must complete for every retail firearm transfer. Here's what it is, what it asks, and what happens to it.
What Is Form 4473?
The ATF Form 4473 — officially the "Firearms Transaction Record" — is a federal document completed at the point of sale between a licensed FFL dealer and a buyer. It collects your personal information, records the firearm being transferred, and certifies your eligibility to own a firearm under federal law.
What Does It Ask?
- Your full legal name, address, date of birth, and government ID information
- Whether you are the actual transferee (not a straw purchaser buying for someone else)
- Citizenship and residency status
- Whether you have been convicted of a felony, domestic violence offense, or other disqualifying offense
- Whether you are under indictment, adjudicated as a mental defective, or subject to certain court orders
- Whether you are an unlawful user of controlled substances
- The firearm's make, model, caliber, and serial number
What Happens After You Sign?
The dealer retains the completed Form 4473 in their records for a minimum of 20 years (and indefinitely for active dealers). It is not submitted to the ATF at the time of sale, but the ATF can inspect dealer records during compliance inspections. If a dealer goes out of business, all records are forwarded to the ATF's Out-of-Business Records Center.
The NICS Background Check
After you sign the Form 4473, the dealer contacts the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to run a background check. The check typically returns one of three results:
- Proceed: Transfer can complete immediately
- Delay: The FBI needs up to 3 business days to complete the check. After 3 days, if no response, the dealer may proceed at their discretion
- Deny: Transfer is prohibited. You may appeal through the NICS Section
Lying on Form 4473 Is a Federal Crime
Submitting false information on Form 4473 is a federal felony (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6)) punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This includes lying about your identity, your criminal history, or whether you're buying for yourself or someone else (a "straw purchase").
When you buy through Trigger Transfers and pick up at your local FFL, you'll complete a Form 4473 at the receiving dealer. It's a few minutes of paperwork — and the last step between you and your new firearm.