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Timestamp: 2017-01-24 14:32:26
Document Index: 650660432

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 478', 'art 478', '§ 478', '§ 478', '§ 478', '§ 478', '§ 478', '§ 478', 'art 478', 'art 478', 'art 478', '§ 478', 'art 478', 'art 478']

Atf Ruling 2008 2 | Bureau Of Alcohol
BrowseInterestsBiography & MemoirBusiness & LeadershipFiction & LiteraturePolitics & EconomyHealth & WellnessSociety & CultureHappiness & Self-HelpMystery, Thriller & CrimeHistoryYoung AdultBrowse byBooksAudiobooksArticlesSheet MusicBrowse allUploadSign inJoin18 U.S.C. 923(g)(1)(A): RECORDS REQUIRED FOR FIREARMS LICENSEES 27 CFR PART 478, SUBPART H: RECORDS 27 CFR 478.22, 478.121, 478.122, 478.123, 478.125(e): LICENSEE ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION RECORDS, ALTERNATE METHODS OR PROCEDURES Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 478.121, 478.122, 478.123, and 478.125(e), Subpart H. ATF Rul. 2008-2 The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has received inquiries from members of the firearms industry about maintaining their required acquisition and disposition dealer’s records in computerized form rather than paper form. Section 923(g)(1)(A) states that each licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, and licensed dealer shall maintain such records of importation, production, shipment, receipt, sale, or other disposition of firearms at his place of business and in such form as the Attorney General may by regulations prescribe. The pertinent regulations involved in this ruling implementing section 923(g) are in 27 CFR Part 478, Subpart H. The regulations in this subpart specify general guidance regarding the records that must be maintained under this subpart (§ 478.121). Section 478.121 sets forth the general recordkeeping requirements for all licensees. This section requires that records be maintained on licensed premises in the manner and for the length of time prescribed in the regulations. Section 478.122 sets forth recordkeeping requirements for licensed importers. Section 478.122(a) requires that importers, within 15 days of the date of importation or other acquisition, record the type, model, caliber or gauge, manufacturer, country of manufacture, and the serial number of each firearm imported or otherwise acquired, and the date the importation or other acquisition was made. Section 478.122(b) requires that licensed importers record the disposition of firearms to other licensees showing the quantity, type, manufacturer, country of manufacture, caliber or gauge, model, serial number, the name and license number to whom the firearm is transferred, and the date of the transfer. Section 478.122(b) also provides that the information must be entered in “the proper record book” not later than the seventh day following the date of the transaction and specifies the format to be used for the record. Section 478.122(c) gives the Director of Industry Operations the discretion to authorize alternate records when it is shown that such records will accurately and readily disclose the information required by the regulations. Finally, § 478.122(d) provides that licensed importers must maintain separate records of dispositions of firearms to nonlicensees, and that such records shall be maintained in the form and manner prescribed by §§ 478.124 and 478.125 (dealer records). Section 478.123 sets forth recordkeeping requirements for licensed manufacturers. Section 478.123(a) requires that licensed manufacturers record the type, model, caliber or gauge, and serial number of each complete firearm manufactured or otherwise acquired, and the
the name of the licensee to whom transferred. This section further states that the acquisition of a firearm shall. type. type. and the date of the transaction. be recorded not later than the close of the next day following the date of the acquisition. the regulations require the dealer to obtain and complete ATF Form 4473. For disposition records. The disposition record must show the date of the disposition.123(c) gives the Director of Industry Operations discretion to authorize alternate records when it is shown by the licensed manufacturer that such records will accurately and readily disclose the information required by the regulations. serial number. Section 478.123(b) requires that manufacturers record the disposition of firearms to other licensees showing the quantity.124 and 478. separate from other commercial records. model. the name and address of the transferee. size or gauge.125 (dealer records). manufacturer. the regulation requires that the disposition of a firearm be recorded not later than 7 days following the date of the transaction. the model. This section requires that licensed dealers record each receipt and disposition of firearms and states that the record shall be maintained in bound form under the format specified. Regulations at 27 CFR 478. the specifically prescribed method or procedure and that the
. Section 478. until the transaction is recorded.123(d) requires that licensed manufacturers maintain separate records of dispositions of firearms to nonlicensees in the format specified by §§ 478. caliber. except as provided in paragraph (g) (relating to delaying entry of curio or relic firearms into the acquisition record in specified circumstances). and the format used must be as specified in § 478. if the transferee is a licensee. In addition. § 478. Alternatively. the name and license number of the transferee. or. the name and address or the name and license number of the person from whom received.123(b) further provides that the information shall be recorded in “the proper record book” not later than the seventh day following the date of the transaction. Section 478.-2-
date the manufacture or acquisition was made. This section further provides that the information must be recorded not later than the seventh day following the date of manufacture or acquisition.22 allow for the approval and use of an alternate method or procedure in lieu of a method or procedure specifically prescribed in Part 478. the regulation requires that the record include the date of receipt. (2) The alternate method or procedure is within the purpose of. and the caliber or gauge of the firearm. and consistent with the effect intended by. and to retain the form separately from the dealer's Form 4473 file until the transaction is recorded. serial number.125(e) sets forth recordkeeping requirements for acquisition and disposition records maintained by licensed dealers. the commercial record of the transaction must be retained. the name of the manufacturer and importer (if any). the regulations permit the dealer to record the serial number of the Form 4473. When the disposition is made to a nonlicensee. Section 478. When the disposition is made to a licensee. Finally.122. ATF may approve an alternate method or procedure when it is found that— (1) Good cause is shown for the use of the alternate method or procedure. if the licensed dealer serially numbers the Forms 4473 and files them numerically.
with certain conditions. ATF routinely approves requests to utilize computerized records.123. This facilitates better accountability of product overall. In addition.122. The software system must retain any correction of errors as an entirely new entry. Creating and maintaining records in a computer database. customer lists. in computerized form. 478. 478.125(e). This utilization of computers has allowed companies to automate inventories. rather than paper form. finding that the use of such records is substantially equivalent to methods of record keeping set forth in the regulations in 27 CFR Part 478. All data entered into the computer system must be recorded into the database and cannot be capable of being edited or modified at a later date without generating an audit trail.121. The system may allow for entries in a notes column to explain any correction. utilizing technology such as bar codes or RFID (radio frequency identification) chips. ATF has determined that acquisition and disposition records required by 27 CFR Part 478. without deleting or modifying the original entry. Even the smallest home-based business utilizes computers to record and maintain business information. Subpart H. With advances in technology and the dramatic decrease in the cost of computers. reducing the potential of everyday accounting errors. Additionally. maintaining records via computer generally saves time and money in bookkeeping and auditing expenses. and 478. and other business information. Over the years. satisfy the standard of permanency and are substantially equivalent to paper records if they meet the following criteria: 1.
. Several firearms industry members have asked whether computerized records may be maintained without obtaining written approval from ATF if they contain all the required information specified in the regulations and are maintained in a permanent form. and §§ 478. The system must have a reliable daily memory backup capability to protect the data from accidental deletion or other system failure. and (3) The alternate method or procedure will not be contrary to any provision of law and will not result in an increase in cost to the Government or hinder the effective administration of part 478. ATF has seen a significant increase in the number of requests from firearms licensees for authorization to utilize computerized records rather than paper records of acquisition and distribution. sales.
alternate method or procedure is substantially equivalent to that specifically prescribed method or procedure. industry members have questioned whether computer records in combination with paper records may be maintained if they are permanent and contain all the information required by the regulations. makes it easier to ensure accuracy of records and makes it less likely that records will be lost or misplaced. many businesses rely upon computers to maintain records of their inventory. Subpart H.
The FFL may download the required acquisition and disposition records to portable storage devices such as Compact Discs (CDs).
10. Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs). acquisition date.
8.-4-
7. and when the license is terminated
4. The system must record both the manufacturer and the importer of foreign-made firearms. Printouts may include antique firearms. 11. The system must allow queries by serial number. provided that the FFL presents the records in a printed format at ATF’s request.
Printouts must be retained until the next printout is prepared. sequentially by date of acquisition. The system cannot rely upon invoices or other paper/manual systems to provide any of the required information. and USB Flash Drives. but cannot include other merchandise. The printouts must be limited to only the information required and specified by regulation. Specifically. and name of the manufacturer or importer. ATF recognizes that printed records take up space and are not as easy to search as records maintained in a digital format.
9. when the database is purged. The computer printouts must contain firearms in inventory as well as all firearms transferred during the period covered. upon request of an ATF officer. However. Commonly recognized trade names may be used when recording the manufacturer/importer in the firearm description. The name and FFL number (if licensee) or name and address (if non-licensee) of the supplier/consigner and the purchaser/transferee must be included in the computer data. instead of conducting the periodic printout of those records. The FFL must periodically print all records from the system. the records must be printed: (a) (b) (c) (d) at least semiannually.
5. antique firearms must be identified as “ANT” in the “firearm type” column.
. An ATF Form 4473 transaction number may be used in lieu of the address for recording the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee if the Forms 4473 are filed numerically. 6.
As indicated above. licensed manufacturers. 923(g)(1)(A) and 27 CFR 478. which allowed a FFL who had an approved variance to use computerized acquisition and disposition records to periodically download the required records to portable storage devices instead of printing out such records. ATF finds that the use of computer records properly containing all the required information should not hinder the effective administration of the Federal firearms laws or regulations – use of such records generally makes it easier for ATF to conduct inventories of firearms on hand and to audit required records. and ASCII text file (and file description) of the A&D records. reliable record that will accurately indicate acquisitions and dispositions of firearms. and licensed dealers may use computers to create and maintain acquisition and disposition records required by 18 U.C.S. Finally.
All required records including acquisition and disposition records. costefficient means of maintaining business records.
. as the use of computers is accepted throughout the business community as a reliable.122. is consistent with the effect intended by the requirements of Subpart H. Subpart H. 478. Accordingly. Subpart H. in addition to printouts of all records. All records must be forwarded to the ATF Out-of-Business Records Center in accordance with 27 CFR 478. the FFL must provide an American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) text file (in conformity with industry standards) and a file description. 478. West Virginia 25405 ATF Rul.123. Upon termination of a license. 2007-4. Held. ATF finds that good cause exists for authorizing the use of a computers and portable storage devices to create and maintain the records required by 27 CFR Part 478. and all ATF Forms 4473. ATF also finds that the use of a computer to maintain required records.-5-
12. must remain at the licensed premises.121.125(e). licensed importers. FFLs must provide complete printouts and an ASCII text file (and file description) of A/D records and all ATF Forms 4473 to the ATF Out-of-Business Records Center upon discontinuance of business. as it will result in a permanent.127. ATF concludes that the requirements for approval of an alternate method or procedure in accordance with 27 CFR 478.
13. The records should be submitted to the following location: ATF Out of Business Records Center 244 Needy Road Martinsburg. is superseded by this ruling. if the system meets the above stated criteria.22 are met. including complete printouts. to the ATF Out-of-Business Records Center. contingent upon the requirements outlined above. and 478. The printout and ASCII text file must contain the information as prescribed by regulation.
22. licensees who wish to use computers to create and maintain their acquisition and disposition firearms records in accordance with the requirements set forth in this ruling are not required to obtain advance approval in accordance with 27 CFR 478.-6-
Held further. 2007-4.
Date approved: August 25. 2007. is hereby superseded. Sullivan Acting Director
. Held further. ATF Rul. the FFL will be required to provide periodic paper printouts of such records at the request of the Director. 2008 Michael J. approved June 26. Industry Operations. if administrative difficulties arise through the use of portable storage media instead of printouts.
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