New 4473 Released By BATFE

A new Form 4473 released by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) in early December includes a variety of changes on the portion completed by the FFL. It has been expanded to seven pages, rather than the previous version’s six. There are only three modifications to the fields completed by the transferee, however.

Prospective owners filling out the form will discover question 10 now asks if you live within the city limits of the municipality listed in your mailing address. BATFE explains on its FAQ, For example, if a transferee lists their residence city/state as Phoenix, Arizona but they actually reside outside of the city, they will answer ‘no’ to this item.

In addition, two questions have been added to Section A. Question 21b inquires, Do you intend to purchase or acquire any firearm listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) or ammunition, for sale of other disposition to any person described in questions 21(c)-(m) or to a person described in question 21.n.1 who does not fall within a nonimmigrant exception?

The follow-up line, 21c, is also new. Do you intend to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) or ammunition in furtherance of any felony or other offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, a Federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense?

Perhaps the most noteworthy change appears on the FFL’s side of the new 4473, at the top of the form. They must now use the letters "PMF" when recording the transfer or acceptance of privately made firearms. The BATFE announcement explains, Any firearm, received by a FFL, that was privately made (not manufactured by another licensee) must now be recorded on the ATF Form 4473. ‘Privately Made Firearm (PMF)’ has been added to item 1, Section A. It now reads: ‘Manufacturer and Importer, if any or Privately made firearm (PMF) (If the manufacturer and importer are both different, include both).’

Despite the fact the previous 4473 version was only published in May 2020, BATFE is encouraging FFLs to download the new form, in its entirety, from its website and begin use immediately. The bureau’s distribution center, however, won’t have hard copies available for order until Feb. 1.