Multiple wheelgun purchase worry...

[TPAshooter7.62]

Hi:
I haven't been to my FFL dealer in so long, I didn't realize the number of revolvers I had accumulated in my trades. However, this is the first time I will be subjected to this: apparently, there is a multiple firearm form that needs to be filled out and sent back to ATF to indicate I have taken possession of more than on handgun in a five day period. In my opinion, this is like inviting the IRS to audit you. I do not like flagging the ATF for any reason, let alone have them come to my house and question me for the five or so 41 magnum revolvers I accumulated. Is this a reason to fear or are my worries unfounded? Luckily I live in Florida where unless I'm a crook, laws here are reasonable for responsible gun owners. Thanks. TPA.

 

[Dan in MI]

That has been on the books for years and generally the customer never even knows it was filled out.

It's design was for the guy that buys a box of cheap 25's and dumps them to those that couldn't buy a gun.

 

[wwb]

If said handguns were acquired in private purchases/trades, I see no reason whatsoever to inform the %$*# gummint.

 

[resident]

If they show up unexpectedly without a warrant, tell them to make an appointment for another day, or to call your lawyer. Buying more than one handgun is not illegal and does not make you a criminal.

(Ain't nothing going to happen. They don't care if you buy a few handguns on the same day. They worry about you doing that ten days in a row.) :wink:

 

[mattsbox99]

I've had several of those instances and never garnered a wink from the ATF. Don't worry unless you have something to hide.

 

[rich642z]

BATFE came to my house 2 weeks ago because,I bought at an auction that had 10 1917 Colt Revolvers in .45acps. They had called me and ask me why. I told them that I bid on the box and seaching after I paid $300.00 dollars for it,it had all 1917 parts for the revolvers. I did get a letter from the owners that were at the auction and showed it to the atfe agent. And I do have a C&R license and showed that I put the revolvers on my books. And I told them that these would stay in my family until no one in my family tree exist in the distant future. So agent said it kind of scared him about the ten revolvers and he didnt mean no harm just the orders came from the commanders in DC to check me out.



















b

 

[SteelShooter]

Agree with mattsbox99, do multiple transfers all the time over several years. Before I leave with my latest plunder, fill out the form for my next visit, so the background check can be run and ready for the next haul.

Have stayed away from obtaining an FFL, as that does open you up to additional scrutiny and record keeping, plus inspections from the ATF.

 

[mjoinercpd]

I hope this doesn't get me kicked out of the forum, but I am going to put two cents in about the ATF. As an entitiy, I don't like much that they do. However, having to deal with them regularly as a LE officer, they are generally normal guys most of us would have a beer with. They spend a lot of times in larger areas assisting LE in fixing "problems". Problems in my area aren't CCW holders or middle aged guys like us buying Rugers. They have helped my local dept. address a major issue we have with 17 year old gang bangers and a lot of firearms. Our record recently was 15 shootings in 14 days. Luckily, mostly they just hit houses and not each other. Most agents are regular guys like us and just wanting to get to retirement without screwing with the law abiding public at all. As a side note, if you have never seen a young agent's face when he thinks there are photos of him getting very happy on moonshine one night (no tax stamps) at a very large NorthEast Tennessee racing event, it will remind you they are human.

 

[mindustrial]

An agent told me they check the multiple gun purchase forms for profilling. Example: female buying multiple semi-autos (glocks). Looking for a girlfreind buying guns for her boyfreinds gang.... etc. He cited a specific example.

They usually don't investigate hunting revolvers of small quantity, but a case of J frame .38's would get their attention.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Yeah, thats my understanding of it all. I feel bad for the agents (many of whom are pro-RKBA) who have to take all the in-person flak for the nonsense done by higher-ups in the agency and the Justice Dept. in general.

 

[mattsbox99]

My experience with more than a few of them is that they are very anti gun.

 

[Texas Jack Black]

I held a FFL years ago I gave it up in disgust. I have never met an agent that was not anti gun.and most seemed to relish in the fact they had so much power.


T J B

 

[tek4260]

I have bought as many as 20 handguns at a time and was told there would be a form mailed to the ATF and the sheriffs dept. Never heard a peep.

 

[Axehandle]

Asked my dealer about the multiples a few years ago... He just laughed and said that my name had gone in many times. That said, if the ATF has a "list" I'm sure I've been on it for 30 years...

 

[stantheman86]

Don't sweat it, I have bought 3-5 different Ruger and/or S&W revolvers at a time during transfers from my dealer. I win them on GunBroker, wait until they all arrive at my dealer and then transfer them. Never had a problem, I've been doing it for years. If the ATF ever came to my house, I would tell them I'm a collector, no problem. I don't think I will habe a problem.

Like was said, the ATF isn't worried about guys like us buying Ruger and S&W .38 and .357 revolvers from the same small town dealer. Think about how many people buy several handguns at a time every day all over the country. I have seen guys at gun shows buying 3 or 4 guns from the same dealer.

Also +1 on the above, the ATF is looking for a person buying 20 Raven Arms .380's or 50 Hi-Points. I read a story about some guy driving all over Texas buying 20-30 cheap handguns at a time from dealers, and this guy eventually got popped by the ATF. He was selling them illegally, obviously.

The ATF knows the difference between a collector buying a few revolvers and a meth head's girlfriend buying guns for him to arm his gang. Collectors don't tend to buy Glock 17's 10 a time.

 

[resident]

BATFE came to my house 2 weeks ago because,I bought at an auction that had 10 1917 Colt Revolvers in .45acps. ...agent said it kind of scared him about the ten revolvers and ...orders came from the commanders in DC to check me out.

Oooooooohhh....Yeeeaaaahhhhh.. YOU"RE a DANGER with all those 1917 revolvers that all the criminals lust after! They are such HIGH-CAPACITY favorites of drug-dealers and gang-bangers! :roll:



















b[/quote]

 

[stantheman86]

Even my dealer, who's been selling guns for decades says the ATF isn't worried about revolvers too much, not even when guys like me buy them 4-5 at a time. They'll just figure it's a collector, since gang bangers aren't looking for .38 Special 4" revolvers much these days The things that set off the ATF's red flag sensors are people buying "unusual quantities of modern semi-auto firearms in one transaction" is what one dealer told me. For example, I don't think any reputable dealer would sell you 20 SKS's and 10 Glocks. That's not normal collecting activity. Now, if the dealer just took in a collection of WWII era pistols like PPK's, P38's, etc. and a bunch of S&W revolvers, and you bought all 30 of them, it would look like collecting activity because they're all older guns and it's different stuff.

The one member above said the ATF came to see him because he bought 10 1917 revolvers, that's only because they probably have some SOP that says they must check out anyone who buys multiples of the exact same type of gun.

Even the ATF realizes if someone's gonna "straw buy" a bunch of guns they're not gonna go for revolvers. I don't think the Crips and Bloods are rolling around the streets of LA armed with Colt Police Postives and Ruger Blackhawks :lol: