New ATF Records-keeping Regs

[Hagler]

It sure sounds like a good thing. Is it?:

http://www.downrange.tv/artman2/publish ... /299.shtml

"Yesterday, another big story concerned the BATF and that paper trail the agency has long required of firearms dealers. The paper trail may finally be drying up. The BATF released a finding that basically says it will no longer be necessary to seek a variance from the Director of Industry Operations to keep a computerized logbook of all firearms transactions. Previously, FFL holders had to seek permission to use modern computerized bookkeeping standards.

That obligation added what businesses felt was unnecessary paperwork and simultaneously created the likelihood of entry errors and the resultant AFT citations for those errors. Additionally, the paper records were not above being manipulated by less-than-honest individuals.

Citing "advances in technology and the dramatic decrease in the cost of computers," the BATF recognized that "many businesses rely upon computers to maintain records of their inventory, sales, customer lists, and other business information. " Records on firearms, provided they meet BATF specifications (including an "audit trail" and an inability to modify original records at a later date), may now be kept electronically, simplifying the entire bookkeeping and tracking process. In the decision, the BATF cited the advances in electronic technology that made the option of electronic books "affordable and practical" for both large and small businesses. The inability of small businesses to afford the technology was a long-time argument used by BATF against the electronic processes.

In a very brief summation, the data may be kept electronically provided the following conditions are met:

- All data entered into the system must be recorded into the database and not capable of editing without generating an audit trail. Software must retain any corrections of errors as an entirely new entry, without modifying the original entry.

- The system must have "reliable memory backup".

- Systems must meet requirements for recording pertinent information.

- The system must allow queries by serial number, acquisition date, and name of the manufacturer or importer. Commonly recognized trade names may be used when recording the manufacturer/importer in the firearm description.

- The FFL must periodically print all records from the system. That may be semiannually (at least), upon ATF officer's request, when the database is purged, or when the license is terminated. Printouts must be maintained until the "next printout is prepared."

- The FFL may download the required acquisition and disposition records to portable storage devices such as Compact Discs (CDs), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), and USB Flash Drives, instead of conducting the periodic printout of those records, provided that the FFL presents the records in a printed format at ATF's request.

- The computer printouts must contain firearms in inventory as well as all firearms transferred during the period covered, sequentially by date of acquisition.

- The system must record both the manufacturer and the importer.

- Printouts can include antique firearms, but no other merchandise.

- The system must be independent of paper - you can't use an electronic system in conjunction with a paper system to supply required info.

- All required records including acquisition and disposition records, must remain at the licensed premises.

- The name and FFL number (if licensee) or name and address (if non-licensee) of the supplier/consigner and the purchaser/transferee must be included in the computer data. An ATF Form 4473 transaction number may be used in lieu of the address for recording the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee if the Forms 4473 are filed numerically.

- Upon termination of a license, the FFL must provide an American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text file (in conformity with industry standards) and a file description, in addition to printouts of all records, to the ATF Out-of-Business Records Center. The printout and ASCII text file must contain the information as prescribed by regulation.

As you might expect, the reception from the industry has been positive. "NSSF would like to congratulate ATF, and in particular the leadership of Acting Director Sullivan, on helping to reduce the paperwork burden on industry," said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. "We look forward to continuing to work with ATF on other ways to utilize technology to aid America's firearms manufacturers and retailers to reduce their paperwork burden while continuing to permit ATF to protect public safety."

Jim Shepherd

http://www.shootingwire.com

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com
"

Shawn

[Old Ironsights]

No.

Next step: All Records mus be kept in an online ATF Record Keeping System.

Just watch.