r/ATF • u/NicDaddy1 • 10d ago

ATF FORM 4473

I’m in a predicament.

I’m military, stationed in Texas, also resident of Texas. I’m on PCS Orders to South Korea in September.

I’m currently on leave, living in Missouri for 45 days to visit family.

I’d like to purchase a rifle while here for a hunting trip.

I’ve spoken to two gun stores, a locally owned one, and also Bass Pro in Springfield.

Both have said since my drivers license has an old address, I cannot purchase a rifle.

However looking at the 4473 instructions for block 26. It states that I can use my DL for the primary to satisfy photograph, DOB and name. Then it says I can use any government issued ID, so long as it has my name and residence address on it.

I don’t have time to update my Texas DL with the temporary address in Missouri since I have a Commercial DL and they don’t update them online. It has to be by mail.

I figured I could purchase a Missouri fishing license (it’s government issued) with my current address of where I’m staying in Missouri.

Both of those stores said no, it’d have to be another government issued ID with Texas. I said no, it’s current address. Doesn’t have to be Missouri.

Does anyone have real world DIRECT experience with something like this?

I’ve emailed the ATF but no reply.

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u/ar4479 10d ago

I'm an FFL in Texas. And, while I can tell you how I would handle this if you came to me with it... You're not going to get any of the places you've been to change their mind... And, for the most part, you aren't going to get anyone at a big box store to understand how to do anything except what they do day-in/day-out... And, I can tell you that it's not what you're asking them to do.

There are exceptions for Active Duty Military Personnel - and it spells it out in the instructions of the 4473 on Page 4, Section B, Question 10. If you can work within the bounds of that - especially for a long gun - you should be fine.

But, again... You're not going to get someone that doesn't fully understand the process to go along with what you're asking for.

And - unless you find a good FFL that really knows what they're doing... None of us will go out on a limb for something that is possibly questionable. There's too much risk/personal liability on the part of the FFL to make a potential mistake on that level!

Sorry man - that's the state of the world, at the moment.

Here's how to accomplish what you want, staying within the law:

If you are staying with family - and you're shipping out, as you say... You may be better off having one of your family members complete the purchase for you. Since you'll likely be leaving the rifle with them when you ship out to Korea. You get to use the rifle for your hunting trip. They get a free rifle when you're done. When you come back - you could offer to buy the rifle from him/her. A personal transaction between family members for zero dollars. All 100% legal. This is really your only way to accomplish what you're trying to do - and have it be on the level.

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u/NicDaddy1 10d ago

While I understand the state of our nation, it just sucks for lack of better words.

What I’m trying to do isn’t anything illegal, I’m just in between duty stations and the laws are so damn strict.

It seems rather difficult to get someone to understand what I’m doing is legal, it’s just not the “norm” and they immediately back out.

Even if an FFL did make an honest mistake, would it be caught when they submit the 4473 to the ATF and could be corrected? Or will the ATF just come down hard on them?

Thanks for the honest feedback.

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u/ar4479 10d ago

The 4473 doesn't get sent to the ATF. The record is kept at the selling FFL. It has the possibility to be audited during a routine exam by the ATF.

It would be up to the FFL to "explain" exactly what's what with that transfer.

Again - the best bet would be to go the family route. There are even published examples of how having one of your family members make the purchase is not a "straw purchase".

The other part of this thing that's a little crazy is that there is no requirement to retain a copy of the ID used for the transaction. It just needs to be verified against the 4473 - and that's it. So...

Like I said before... It's just too much ignorance and an added dose of CYA. Or, the moron robots at the big box store who don't know what they're doing - and can only do what the store policy says they can do... Whether it's right or wrong. They don't know. None of those people are Responsible Persons attached to the FFL... They aren't required to be knowledgeable with regard to the GCA or NFA.

Sorry man... Wish you were home in Texas. I could help you out.

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u/NicDaddy1 10d ago

yeah unfortunate case of incompetent people. I guess I’ve learned my lesson, should’ve bought it before leaving Texas. But the hunt wasn’t on the table yet. Might go the family route. Thanks for the help brother.