ATF updates eForm 4473

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Thursday an updated version of eForm 4473 will now be available to federally-licensed firearms dealers.

The software program, first launched in 2008, targets mistakes on the background check form required for firearm transfers by the ATF. It cycles gun dealers through a series of prompts, digitally completing the form along the way in an effort to reduce human error.

Now, the form will include the updated language approved by the ATF last year so that it matches the paper version of Form 4473 in circulation since October.

ATF mandated the use of the new forms in January.

The newest version has more than 50 changes, including an addition of the definition for “fugitive from justice” — a term that has fueled a 16-year dispute between the ATF and the FBI and allowed the transfer of more than 2,000 guns to accused criminals.

Other changes to the form includes added warning statements for buyers in states with legalized or decriminalized marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes; clarifying buyers with initials in their legal names should indicate as such using the acronym “IO” for initial only; an option to include the name of the employee completing the background check; and added a direction indicating firearm information must be recorded even if a transfer doesn’t occur.

To view an entire list of the changes, click here.

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