Your statement has some false information. Most FFL's only use NICS when required (in Texas when the customer does not have a CHL/LTC). I realize some places like Academy will go through NICS anyway but you have the choice to buy there or not. NICS does not get any firearm info, they get your personal info and what type of firearm it is (handgun, long gun, other etc.). The only time the ATF gets the 4473 info is when a multiple handgun/long gun report needs to be filed, when the FFL goes out of business (all the forms are sent in) or during audits. Normally during the audits the ATF only takes info for people they suspect are buying illegally.LSUTiger wrote:Every time you fill out a 4473, both the ATF and FBI (NICS) are involved in the process and I always suspected they were collecting data permanently. Sure they aren't supposed to be keeping track of it but they do. They aren't just going to throw it away. They know who has guns and a who doesn't.
To summarize, normally the ATF does not get your info. Do not buy from places that run NICS if you do not have to and do not give the FFL a reason to fill out a multiple report and you will minimize what info the government gets. Do a web search for the ATF multiple hand gun and long gun reports and see what all is sent in.