At a Glance: Federal Firearms Licensees must file ATF Form 3310.4 when they sell two or more handguns to the same unlicensed person within five consecutive business days. Border-state FFLs in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas must also file ATF Form 3310.12 for qualifying semi-automatic rifle sales. FastBound automates both reports to keep FFLs audit-ready.
Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 923(g)(3), and 27 CFR § 478.126a, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must report any disposition of two or more pistols or revolvers to the same unlicensed person within five consecutive business days. The requirement is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and is designed to flag straw purchase patterns and prevent illegal firearms trafficking.
mportant exception: the ATF confirms that a multiple sale report is not required for the return of firearms to the same individual, such as a pawn redemption, consignment, or repair. Failure to file required multiple sale reports is among the violations frequently cited during ATF compliance inspections. Violations are evaluated based on willfulness and the surrounding facts, and outcomes can range from warning letters to license revocation.
ATF Form 3310.4
The “Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers” is required when a firearm dealer sells or otherwise disposes of two or more handguns to the same unlicensed individual in a single transaction or across any five consecutive business days. The report helps law enforcement identify patterns that may indicate a straw purchaser.
ATF Form 3310.12
Form 3310.12 applies only when a Type 01 dealer, Type 02 pawnbroker, Type 07 manufacturer, or Type 08 importer located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas sells two or more semi-automatic rifles that meet all of the following conditions: capable of accepting a detachable magazine, caliber greater than .22 (including .223/5.56), and sold to the same unlicensed person within five consecutive business days. See FastBound’s guide on Form 3310.12 for Type 07 and Type 08 FFLs for the details on which Type 07 and Type 08 FFLs are subject to the requirement.
Information Required on Multiple Handgun Forms
ATF Form 3310.4 requires detailed information on the buyer, the firearms, the sale, and the FFL:
- 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 qualifying handgun sale
- FFL Dealer Information: name, license number, business name, and address
The Application Process: Steps for an FFL
Per 27 CFR § 478.126a, FFLs follow these steps for multiple handgun sales:
- Identify the qualifying disposition (sale of two or more pistols or revolvers to the same unlicensed person within five consecutive business days)
- Complete ATF Form 3310.4 in triplicate
- Process the buyer through a NICS background check and complete ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) for each firearm
- Send Copy 1 to the ATF National Tracing Center by email, fax, or mail no later than the close of business on the day the multiple sale or other disposition occurs
- Send Copy 2 to the Chief Local Law Enforcement Official (CLEO) in the jurisdiction where the sale took place
- Attach Copy 3 to the corresponding ATF Form 4473 per 27 CFR § 478.126a and the ATF Form 3310.4 instructions, and retain in licensee records for a period of not less than 5 years per 27 CFR § 478.129
For a walkthrough inside FastBound, see the FAQs on creating, filling out, and transmitting a multiple sale report.
Maintaining ATF Compliance
- Regular Training and Updates: Stay informed about ATF regulations and updates from the ATF
- Record-Keeping: Attach Copy 3 of Form 3310.4 to the corresponding Form 4473 as required by 27 CFR § 478.126a and the ATF Form 3310.4 instructions. Retain it for not less than 5 years per 27 CFR § 478.129.
- Compliance Inspections: Prepare for ATF inspections by identifying any discrepancies early.
- Reporting Deadlines: Submit reports not later than the close of business on the day the multiple sale or other disposition occurs.
Proposed ATF Changes Affecting Multiple Sale Reporting
In April 2026, the ATF announced a New Era of Reform package consisting of 34 proposed and final regulatory notices, organized into five groups (Repeal, Modernize, Reduce Burden, Clarify, and Align). One rule in the Modernize Group directly affects multiple sale reporting.
The Modernize Group proposes a defined retention period for several record types, including a five-year retention period for ATF Form 3310.4 (Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers). The proposal is in Notice of Proposed Rulemaking status and is not yet final. Until ATF publishes a final rule, the existing retention requirements under 27 CFR § 478.129 remain in effect. For a breakdown of all 34 proposed and final rules and how they affect FFLs, see FastBound’s ATF Changes overview. FFLs can monitor or comment on proposed rules through the Federal Register.
FastBound: Compliant Multiple Sale Reporting
FastBound’s electronic A&D software keeps you compliant with regular updates so you can focus on running your business.
FastBound integrates with NICS background check systems, maintains records of all acquisitions and dispositions of handguns ready for ATF inspections, and supports ongoing compliance with ATF regulations. The platform also supports rules-based configuration by item type so it applies the right thresholds for your state and FFL type.
We spent hundreds of hours working with the team at FFLGuard and a 43-year veteran of the ATF (Assistant Director of Field & Industry Operations) so 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
Per the ATF Form 3310.12 instructions, the rifle must be semi-automatic, capable of accepting a detachable magazine, and chambered for a caliber greater than .22 (including .223/5.56). The requirement applies only to Type 01, 02, 07, and 08 FFLs located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas.
No. Under 27 CFR § 478.126a and confirmed ATF guidance, a multiple sale report is not required for the return of firearms to the same individual, such as a pawn redemption, consignment, or repair.
Send Copy 1 to the ATF National Tracing Center by email (MultipleHandgunSalesForms@atf.gov), fax (1-877-283-0288), or mail. Send Copy 2 to the designated state police or local law enforcement agency where the sale took place. Attach Copy 3 to the corresponding ATF Form 4473.
27 CFR § 478.126a requires submission “not later than the close of business on the day that the multiple sale or other disposition occurs.”
No. ATF Form 4473 is the Firearms Transaction Record that documents the transaction. The background check itself runs through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or a state Point-of-Contact agency. NICS reviews records of adjudicated prohibitions submitted by state and federal agencies.