How does the system actually work?

[Nooblet]

I'm curious to how this all works...

So you purchase a firearm. You fill out the 4473 form and then they do the NICS check on you. You pass, make your purchase, and get a reciept. What happens then? Does your name go into a big database with the serial numbers of the firearms you have purchased? Who is allowed access to this information? If the police run a routine background check on you, what if any firearm information comes up?

 

[Hawaiian]

It differs from state to state. Some require registration, some don't.

 

[Jdude]

Supposedly they don't keep the serial numbers or names in a huge database, but there have been several instances showing evidence to the contrary.

The Tiahart amendment is a law that prevents local police from doing gun trace checks. That is using the serial number of a gun to back track and find out who the last known owner was. When the police run a routine background check, depending on the state, information may or may not show up.

We can answer your question better if you give your state.

 

[Nooblet]

Illinois

 

[Boats]

During the "DC Sniper" case, Maryland authorities knew where to visit local AR-15 owners.

 

[cbrgator]

How did the authorities know it was an AR?

 

[legaleagle_45]

Ok... The feds keep a record of all firearms from the original manufacturer. They know which firearms are shipped to which FFL.

Now, the police find a specific gun. They have the serial # and can thereby discover which FFL received it from the original manufacturer. They then go to the FFL and look at his records. Those records will disclose who the FFL sold the specific firearm to.

A quasi national registration system.

 

[evan price]

NICS records do not list a serial number, just pistol or long gun.

The FFL's bound book lists the disposition of each firearm and the 4473's are kept on file for a long time, and can be inspected by BATFE during the FFL inspection.

 

[GregGry]

How did the authorities know it was an AR?

They knew from the recovered bullets, and the brass that was found.

 

[kingpin008]

During the "DC Sniper" case, Maryland authorities knew where to visit local AR-15 owners.

Got a cite for this? I'm a Marylander, and followed the case very closely, since much of it happened pretty much in my back yard. I've never heard of police checking up on or "visiting" civilian AR owners.

 

[highorder]

2 Days before they caught the DC sniper pair, the "news" told all of us that an AK-74 (complete with pictures) was the culprit.

Yeah.

 

[MAKster]

No brass was found from the Washington area sniper because Malvo was shooting out of a closed car trunk. Also, the AK-74 story was told by a nut who claimed to be a witness but was only looking for attention and was discredited within hours.

 

[stevelyn]

No brass was found from the Washington area sniper because Malvo was shooting out of a closed car trunk. Also, the AK-74 story was told by a nut who claimed to be a witness but was only looking for attention and was discredited within hours.

Yup. All they had were bullet fragments.

They could have been looking for a T/C Encore for all they knew.

"Assault weapon" was what the media and LE pulled out of their arse for public consumption.

 

[Jeff White]

Nooblet,

In Illinois the FFL holder calls the instant check line and gives your identifying information and if it's a long gun or handgun you are buying. No serial number or make and model goes to the state police. They run a records check and then approve or disapprove the sale.

There is no gun registration in Illinois and there is no database of who owns what.

When the police do a routine records check nothing about gun ownership is returned. You can check to see if an Illinois resident has a FOID card, but you have to specifically ask for that check, it's not automatic. (there is a a block you can check on the IWIN software that was in use when I retired to get a FOID check along with the other information on your MDC, but you have to check that block each time you run someone). All a FOID check gets the officer is if the person has a valid FOID card, when it expires, etc. There is no firearms purchase information returned to the officer with a FOID check.

The only gun registration in Illinois is the federal registration scheme known as the 4473. It's kept at the dealer and they have to start a trace from the factory and then contact the dealer to get the information.

HTH
Jeff

 

[Nooblet]

Awesome answer Mr. White. I appreciate your help.

 

[Sunray]

"...Maryland authorities knew where to visit local AR-15 owners..." That was the ATF providing info to the FBI about what shops had sold a .223 rifle, not just AR's. Said shops provided the names of people who had purchased a .223. Those 4473 forms are defacto firearms registration. Laws made by ATF regulation.

 

[Spot77]

Got a cite for this? I'm a Marylander, and followed the case very closely, since much of it happened pretty much in my back yard. I've never heard of police checking up on or "visiting" civilian AR owners.

Yup. I believe it was here or TFL......give me a few minutes....it happened to a well respected member here (and I'd call him a friend.)

Here's one link...not the one I was looking for yet, but still relevant:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138904

Ah...here's another:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134951


ok...last one. I promise. I didn't read all the way through, but it's along the same lines of the other threads:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135575

The accuracy of the info has been verified many times over.

Sorry for the threadjack.