TexasCHLforum.com

srothstein wrote:The trace is done all the time.
Sorry, AEA, but having received ATF traces while at the TABC (and telling them we have no record of the disposition), I really don't think they use the NICS data. I do believe it is kept longer than the law allows (overnight system backups mean it gets kept indefinitely) but I don't see them using it yet.

OK, thanks Steve. That clears me up a bit.

Beiruty wrote:The FFL dealer will keep the sales record and the federal form that your filled and signed when you bought your firearm (or did a transfer) for a long time like 10 yrs. From Serial Number, they can query local dealer and find the original owner. Very easy.

I have often wondered how this can be accomplished.........

I do not think it can be................stay with me for a few seconds........

How many FFL's (both storefronts and private ones) in the DFW Metroplex? How would a LE Agency (even BATFE) do a query of all the FFL's records in DFW Metroplex looking for a particular serial numbered gun?

Which leads me to my final thought.......
There is already a electronic database of gun serial numbers that are purchased and sold thru the call in check from FFL's when transferring a firearm.

This is not supposed to be in existence, but you can bet your bottom dollar that it is and that my friend is how they trace a serial number back to the purchaser. Not by forms in various FFL's files, but by the information that the FFL gives during the call in for eligibility check that is recorded into the "non-existent" Database.

Bottom line is, CHL's that do not go thru the call in phase do not have their guns in the database (YET........).

Once the time period comes (be it 10 years or whatever) and/or the FFL retires or closes shop and no longer is licensed, He/She has to send in all the 4473's (and bound book of transactions) He/She has accumulated. These are then checked and entered manually into the database if not already there by Federal Employees.

This is my take on it.......
Feel free to correct me. Or if you would like to comment further on the Database that "does not exist".