BATFE Revises Policies on Firearms "Transfers"

[imschur]

Thursday, June 03, 2010

In a recent ruling regarding the “transfer” of firearms, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATFE) has reversed policies that have been in place for more than 40 years.

In the ruling, BATFE declared that a temporary shipment of a firearm by a federal firearms licensee to a non-employee for business reasons (such as a manufacturer's shipment to a gun writer or engineering consultant for a technical evaluation), will now be considered a “transfer” and require completion of a Form 4473 and background check.

This reverses a ruling issued in 1969, right after the passage of the Gun Control Act, although BATFE provided no explanation of the need for the change. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, BATFE hasn’t been able to name a single case in which a gun temporarily shipped under the old rule has been used in crime.

The short-term impact may be limited, because many major manufacturers already require firearms sent to non-employees to go through the transfer process. But manufacturers who didn’t follow that practice will now have to ship guns to licensed dealers to complete these “transfers.”

Furthermore, the ruling only applies to temporary shipments by federal firearms licensees to carry out those licensees' business operations. Given that limitation, the new ruling won't affect private individuals who ship guns to themselves when traveling to shoot or hunt, or who ship firearms to a manufacturer or gunsmith for repair or customization.

However, this new ruling may have broader implications for future issues. For example, some have suggested that although the ruling doesn’t relate directly to rental of guns for use on commercial shooting ranges, its reasoning might require rentals to be treated as “transfers” subject to record keeping and background check requirements.

Please rest assured that NRA-ILA is seeking clarification of the scope of this new ruling. If necessary, we will consider appropriate action to reverse any adverse impact on law-abiding gun owners.

[98Z5V]

Another step in the maze - this stuff only pertains to business transfers - manufacturers shipping firearms to businesses that will sell those firearms to an individual (or manufacturer-to-distributor, then "transfer" again from distributor-to-vendor).  Complicating the process, IMHO.  They don't want any "gaps" in the paperwork, from manufacturer all the way down to the final "real transfer."  Paper trail, almost like a "chain of custody" document for eviddence...  IMHO...

It's hard to tell what the "interpretation" will be on this when it comes to shipping a broken or defective firearm BACK to the manufacturer - think it will require another "transfer" just to get your stuff worked on?  Ridiculous...  >:(

[imschur]

As I said on another forum, I believe this is a testing of the waters for changing rules unchecked by congress and without vote or public consensus. Basically testing back door gun control

[survivalshop]

Na, its because gun writers are terrorists &  ATF just wants to know what guns they have.

The back door control ,conspiracy theory makes some possable sense . Gun shows next ?

Sounds more like was said above , closing a loop hole ( for now ).

[imschur]

Its because of Massad Ayoob. They think he "Must Be a Terrorist" with a name like that  <laughs>

[SWshooter]

Yes, I hear they are thinking of offering him a job at homeland security with all the other devout muslims now working there, thanks to our " I'm not a Muslim" president.