Background checks and serial numbers

[Great-Kazoo]

Glad you brought this up. Called the CBI and discussed putting in the info (BGC) without the client being here and signing the form. Figured it would save time if I could do this and keep the client from coming twice. He said I need to wait until the form was signed and info verified (ID or other) with the guy onsite. Went on about prosecution etc. Ok got that, will do when guy comes in, no prob.

However he never said I needed the gun onsite. I always have the gun onsite and then do BGC and have form 4473 signed and info verified, but here is the question; were does it say I need to have the gun onsite to run the BGC? I know I need it to complete the transfer, I am not doubting it is there, but would like the source.

Thanks Jim,

The ffl's i deal with have said No firearm to put info on 4473 no BG call in. That has been for everyone i have dealt with. I am sure some do what they feel is necessary, however if i was an FFL the "risk" based upon multiple interpretations of the law, by 2-3 LE's in the same room, is not worth the time.

[OneGuy67]

I used to use a guy who had a home FFL business. I was a pretty frequent user of his services, with a delivery once a week or so. For the first year of using him, he would have already run my BGC prior to getting the item in (he would do so when he shipped his FFL to the seller) and when he called me to say the item was in, I could literally run right over and pick it up and leave. Then there was a change he became aware of and I needed to wait until the item actually was at his house before he could run the BGC, which delayed my getting the item by a day or so.

[Bailey Guns]

I can't find any reference to actually having the gun onsite/logged in, either. Closest I can find in the FAQ section of the ATF website talks about conducting a BGC prior to picking up a firearm (ie: customer orders custom gun...make sure the gun will be ready within 30 days of completing BGC or another will have to be completed).

I always did it that way, too. But I can't find where it says you have to.

[10mm-man]

The ffl's i deal with have said No firearm to put info on 4473 no BG call in. That has been for everyone i have dealt with. I am sure some do what they feel is necessary, however if i was an FFL the "risk" based upon multiple interpretations of the law, by 2-3 LE's in the same room, is not worth the time.

I hear ya Jim, before I got my FFL and bought guns at other places, they said I had to pick the gun out and then they would run it. Nowhere on the form (Prior to BGC) and the Insta check does it ask for a gun SN. This leads me to believe i can run a BGC but not complete a transfer until it comes back "proceed" and i have logged the gun in and out.

I however, do always have the gun in hand, logged and all paperwork completed. I follow the established set of rules, like other FFL's do it, but if I could do another way, save time and be compliant with the law, I would like to do it. You know a lot and that is why I asked for the source; you have officially lost the title of "Master know it All!"

Thanks,



EDIT: on the phone with CBI, lets see if they know.

UPDATE: OK, so CBI said; you can run the BGC with out the gun being onsite if: you know the Make, Model and SN and it is on the form 4473. The NICS # is only good for that/those guns on the form. If you do not know the Make, Model, SN you can not run it. If you get another gun in after that NICS# is assigned you need to run it again and another 4473 filled out as it is only good for that transaction. from their lips to my ear, would be nice to have written info but it makes sense.


I guess that makes you right JIM- tittle is reinstated.

[ChunkyMonkey]

You can start your BGC before your item arrives, as long as the FFL knows what you are getting.

Nevermind... Didnt read the rest of the thread.

[kidicarus13]

When the Dougherty trio did their little cross country crime spree that started in FL and ended on I-25 in Colorado, authorities very conveniently knew exactly what guns they had with them before they were caught. Things that make you go hmmm.........

FYI: <11 hours to trace the Florida shooter's firearms. From shooting to BATFE reporting.