Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must report any sales of multiple handguns to the same purchaser within five consecutive business days. This requirement is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and is designed to prevent illegal firearms trafficking.
Every year, the ATF releases a list of top FFL violations and the consequences of them. “Failure to report multiple sales” is at the top of the list. Because of the rise in firearm trafficking, law enforcement and the ATF set strict requirements for how firearms dealers should report these types of sales. Failure to report these transactions can result in hefty fines, FFL license revocations, and in severe cases, prison.
ATF Form 3310.4
This form, the “Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers,” is required for firearm dealers when engaging in a transaction. It aids law enforcement in identifying patterns that may suggest handguns are being purchased for illicit activities.
ATF Form 3310.12
Less common are multiple sale transactions of semi-automatic rifles (long guns) in border states (California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico), which have specific reporting requirements under the ATF Form 3310.12.
Information Required on Multiple Handgun Forms
ATF Form 3310.4 requires detailed information to ensure thorough oversight and tracking:
- Buyer Information: full name, date of birth, and the purchaser’s identification card or number
- Firearm Details: serial number, type (pistol or revolver), caliber/gauge, manufacturer name and model
- Sale Information: date of the firearm transaction
- FFL Dealer Information: name, license number, business name and address
The Application Process: Steps for an FFL
To ensure compliance with ATF regulations when engaging in multiple handgun sales, FFLs must follow specific steps:
- Identify the handgun purchase as a multiple sale
- Complete ATF Form 3310.4
- Conduct a background check – ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) should be attached to the multiple handgun report
- Send a copy of the form to the ATF Tracing Center and the local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO).
- Maintain a bound book of all completed forms and records
- Regularly monitor and update sales records – track inventory, note any changes in firearm status, etc
Maintaining ATF Compliance
- Regular Training and Updates: Staying informed about the latest ATF regulations and processes for handling firearm purchases.
- Record-Keeping: Maintaining updated acquisition and disposition (A&D) records.
- Compliance Inspections: Prepare for ATF inspections by identifying any discrepancies or areas of improvement before they become compliance issues.
- Adhering to Reporting Deadlines: Report multiple sales within a certain time period. Delays can lead to violations and severe penalties.
FastBound: Compliant Multiple Sale Reporting
FastBound understands that your business is your top priority. Our electronic A&D software keeps you compliant with regular updates and many features, so you can focus on the core tasks that keep your business running.
We automate and simplify state background check systems, maintain records of all acquisitions and dispositions of handguns so they’re ready for ATF inspections, and help you stay compliant with ATF regulations.
We spent hundreds of hours working with the team at FFLGuard, and a 43-year veteran of ATF, Assistant Director of Field & Industry Operations, Assistant Director of Field & Industry Operations, to ensure you don’t become a statistic.
With the most compliant Multiple Sale Reports available, FastBound won’t let anything slip through the cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
FFLs are required to report semi-automatic rifles, rifles with a caliber greater than .22, and rifles with the ability to accept detachable magazines.
States have their own online systems for conducting background checks through the NICS or licensed dealers. The background investigation gathers the potential buyer’s personal information, criminal history records, mental health records, etc. This process helps ensure that no prohibited person is able to purchase firearms.
FFLs can send the online application form to the ATF Tracing Center by fax, by email, or by mail. A copy is also sent to the local law enforcement agency or state police department where the sale took place. The third copy is attached to ATF Form 4473.
Licensed dealers must report multiple sales in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. However, all licensees are obligated to submit ATF Form 3310.12 when they sell at least two firearms to an unlicensed person during any consecutive five-business day period.