Letter to the AmmoLand Editor
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- In reading Andy Massimilian’s letter, dated August 26, 2019, concerning Universal Background Checks and the Federal Registry they would create, I am surprised that no one is concerned about the current “firearms registry” that already exists (in a form).
When a gun sale is handled at an FFL, the ATF Form 4473 we all fill out is then maintained (BATF requirement) by the FFL for “not less than 20 years.”
If the FFL goes out of business, the forms must be transferred to the BATF for their keeping. I wonder how many FFL’s actually take the time and effort to “clean out” their records when they have exceeded 20 years.
Law enforcement uses these records when a gun is recovered at a crime scene. They go first to the manufacturer with the model and serial number to find out which dealer received the gun. Then, an inquiry with the dealer reveals who they sold the gun to.
This method was used by authorities to discover the origin of a handgun, sold to an American farmer in 1985 (who died many years ago), disappeared, and now is responsible for use in 9 murders in Jamaica.
Of course, the ultimate movie scene that is more reality than fiction is from the original “Red Dawn” where the invaders send a person to the local gun store to get the records and then all arrest the gun owners and confiscate their guns (a liberal Socialist-Democrat dream).
Our nation already has a gun registry, mandated at the Federal level.
I’m not an editorial writer, but I do not see the regular writers addressing this concern.
Thanks – Steve
