Alaskan ATF Agents Copying Bound Books from Gun stores

[Bruenor]

BATFE is at it again...

http://www.examiner.com/article/alaska- ... e-with-atf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the owner of the Great Northern Guns store in Anchorage, Alaska, stated that his refusal to turn over to the ATF his 'Bound Book' has picked up political support from the state's elected officials in Washington.

Frank Taiazza of Great Northern Guns indicated that he had received nearly a dozen calls today from local, state, and national officials who expressed the desire to investigate why the ATF would request that he turn over the 'Bound Book' containing sales records, names, addresses, and personal information, including photo I.D.s and background checks, of all citizens who had purchased guns in his store since 2007.

Taiazza refused to honor the request of the ATF to turn over the book, citing his legal rights and the firearms owner protection law which clearly states that no government agency has the authority to take the entire record of gun sales transactions, which would amount to a back door attempt at registering gun owners in a national database.

The law allows the ATF to access only the specific records it needs during an ongoing criminal investigation of a customer, or in an attempt to trace a specific firearm in a criminal investigation, or in an on site inspection of the store's records. Never before has the agency asked to take the book off the premises to make copies of the entire written database of customer transactions.

[synack2]

I know when I didn't renew my C&R I had to turn in my book of records. At first I just let it expire and forgot all about mailing it in, and I had moved. About 6 months later they found me and I got a certified letter demanding it. I promptly mailed it in. Are regular FFL's required to turn in their records if they don't or can't renew as well?

[Morne]

I know when I didn't renew my C&R I had to turn in my book of records. At first I just let it expire and forgot all about mailing it in, and I had moved. About 6 months later they found me and I got a certified letter demanding it. I promptly mailed it in. Are regular FFL's required to turn in their records if they don't or can't renew as well?

Could you please post a copy of the letter demanding it? Not doubting you, just I was under the impression that C&R's didn't have to turn over the bound book.

[jabeatty]

The ATF has specifically ruled that 03 FFLs do NOT have to send in their records, as they're not "in the business" of buying and selling firearms. The regs all reference "end of business" operations...

Of course, you can't expect the Bat-boyz to know their own regs.

[HILLTOP]

Yes, If your business closes, you must turn in your bound book, and all of your 4473 forms.

[synack2]

The ATF has specifically ruled that 03 FFLs do NOT have to send in their records, as they're not "in the business" of buying and selling firearms. The regs all reference "end of business" operations...

Of course, you can't expect the Bat-boyz to know their own regs.

Is that a newer reg. Because I am pretty sure when I filled out everything is said that I had to keep a record and turn it in if I didn't renew. Its been expired now for a long time though so them may have changed it since I got mine.

[jabeatty]

From page 7 of the August, 2004 FFL Newsletter:

Licensed collectors are not required to turn in their acquisition / disposition records if their license is
not renewed or they discontinue their collecting activity. The GCA requires the delivery of required
records to the Government within 30 days after a firearms “business” is discontinued. A license as a
collector of curios or relics does not authorize any business with respect to firearms. This is in contrast
to firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers who are licensed to engage in a firearms business.
Therefore, the records required to be kept by licensed collectors under the law and regulations
are not business records and are not required to be turned in to ATF when collector’s licenses.

[synack2]

I was Misinformed then. The ATF did want my records, but they seemed more ticked that I had moved and not informed them of my new address if I remember right. Anyway the letter was a "This is a Warning this time, but..." if I remember right. I just sent in my little spiral notebook page that had a total of 9 transactions on it.