ATF visited me,Has this happened to you ?Happy Ending!!

Without the paperwork,wouldn't you then be opening yourself up for having to provide a COMPLETE inventory?
f.t.

Unless you hold a FFL of some kind there is no requirement to keep an inventory.

As for multiple purchases, the local ATF office must have had a fit when the Darnell collection was sold off. The guy had something like four THOUSAND guns that were auctioned over more than a year. Many of them were milsurps and many were bought by "the usual suspects" in the Nevada milsurp world in large numbers. I know that multiple handgun purchases are what usually trip the alarms, but I am surprised that more folk did not get a visit after that sell-off.
 
Shucks, i am in fine company!! My FFL has held over 20 guns at a time for me while I was in the Sandbox in Iraq. I made a pickup this last Christmas and went back to Kandahar and got an email saying I forgot to get the model 396, told him it would wait until I go on my next R&R!!
 
Even as a LEO myself, I would have told them go fly a kite or bring better bait for your next fishing expedition.

I, as have others, have been waaaaay less than impressed when dealing with them in a professional capacity.

Funny how they expect you to accommodate them at the drop of a hat, but when you request an expedited trace for something serious, they take their own sweet time.

They are not people I will give an easy time to. They are shady. You would be surprised how much stuff they do (like drug work) that isn't even the purvey of their agency.
 
I'm ok with a visit like that, as long as common sense prevails and ends the witch hunt when he see you are clearly a collector.
Did he ask to see your pressure cookers? Sorry, couldn't resist.
 
Well, the tone makes the music. And I think if they ask nice why not tell them what's going on. If you start bitching, they start bitching. For what? Not all feds are bad. Sure they are bad people everywhere, in all ranks and positions. But they are also alot of good people out there. Didn't see the need for a lawyer here either.
 
Unless you hold a FFL of some kind there is no requirement to keep an inventory.

I understand that. However,if an agent "requests" one and you refuse,I would think that he could cause a lot of problems for you if he were so inclined.
f.t.
 
I agree with cmort on this one. No matter how polite, professional, or interested in firearms, ATF agent(s) would not be let into my home without a warrant and my attorney present. No way, no how. And with no 3rd party at a sit down, it comes down to anything said (or not) is your word against a Fed's. That's what is known as a stacked deck.

Paranoia? Nope. It's just that the government's track record of honesty and square dealing isn't too stellar.
 
Heck, I had dealings with the ATF, state police and the local police about a month ago. They were actually in a LGS where I do business and the owner called and asked if I could come up to the store to talk to them. They wanted to know why I had sold a S&W model 66 to a man (a friend of mine) when I wasn't the owner of said revolver and had no business having or selling it. In front of all these federal, state and local LEOs, I politely asked the owner of the LGS to go back about six more months in his books and they would see that I actually bought the gun from them and then decided to sell it roughly six months later (about eight months ago). Several jaws dropped when they discovered the LGS had actually bought the gun from a person that was evidently in "unlawful possession" of the gun when he sold it to them. I forgave them all and, being the smart#% I am, asked if I could be reimbursed for the gas I used to drive up there.

About two years ago, a knock came to my front door which literally made my Doberman and Rottweiler go bonkers (not many people knock on doors up here). When I opened the door, two very well dressed people were standing there (a man and woman) and I first suspected they were members of a well known traveling religious sect. They identified themselves as agents with the ATF and asked if they could ask a few questions. While still outside, I agreed and they asked why I had bought three guns some time ago within a five day period. I then politely asked if they had (A) some type of warrant to be on my property, (B) a complaint to be asking me such questions and (C) if I had broken any laws? When they answered no to all three questions, I told them my dogs were really getting upset and asked them to leave, which they immediately did. I never heard anything more about it.
 
What is so ridiculous about multiple gun forms is that it is only filed by the dealer if you purchase within 5 business days.

It only applies to handguns so feel free to purchases as many AR's or AK's, shotguns as needed As they are not dangerous.:rolleyes:

If it's handguns, buy one from one dealer, go across the street and buy from another etc and then there are no multiple forms??

It the FFL still keeps a paper bound book, he has to "remember" or he may get gigged at his audit which may happen 4 years later. Maybe the new computer ledgers make it easier, I do not know.

Makes perfect Govt sense:rolleyes:
 
I am not bragging but just want to be informative. I have bought at least 200-300 guns a year for the last 3 years so I had to appear on their radar! I am surprised it took this long. I have nothing to hide so I welcomed his visit. These guys put their lives on the line and get killed in illegal gun trafficing
situations and other things that they do , I want them to know that there are honest citizen gun enthusiasts out there.Dont be defensive and think the worst. They have a job to do and we should support them.

Haris,
2-300 a year? Wow! :cool: Can I see your safe? ;) Seriously, I had a visit from ATF about 15 years ago when getting my C&R 03 license. It was somewhat common here, in the state you fled :cool:, years ago. I never hear of visits for issuance of C&R licenses anymore. The agent knew my BIL sheriff and the "visit" lasted less than 5 minutes. Haven't had anyone interested in my gun collection since.
 
Not the ATF but,got a visit from a game warden for the first time.It was last year,one of my sons had picked up a used Redfield at a gunshow to go on his 7mm.It ended up being the mounts but at the time we didn't know that...so he's blastin away chasin bullet holes.

This is at our range in the woods behind the house.Apparently one of the "new" neighbors didn't care for the racket and called us in.

When he arrived he's shaking his head......it's my 2nd cousin.Apologizes,and says he REALLY didn't want to come over but,orders are orders.He asks what's up and told the above story about the new scope.So we started yapping about what's new and I showed him a AAA Walnut stock we'd just finished and put on a '68 #700 Rem,.243.....and along with boy's new Redfield,I'd snagged a mint '69,3x9 Weaver bought at the same GS,and was in the process of mounting on the Rem.

He had a bite to eat,and talked to wifey for a good while.All in all,glad he came over.Think he'll come back?Haha.
 
I have known about the multiple purchase form for a long time. Rule3 brings up one point about purchases from different stores within a weeks period. One I've thought of is buying a gun one day and placing a second gun on layaway, at same store, same day. Assuming you pick up the second gun at least 6 business days later the second form should not apply. So what's the point? You can feel free to disagree if you want but I never put my SS # on a 4473. All it does is give them another way to correlate purchase info on you. How many guns can you buy or trade before they hound you to get an FFL?
 
I guess I need to be enlightened. I'm glad that haris1 and frizzman had good experiences, but I don't understand why federal agents are visiting people who buy guns lawfully, just because they buy more, and more frequently, than the average joe. Pardon my ignorance, but that sounds really intrusive to me. Can someone help me out here?

Andy

There's no reason for it. It's just policy.

John
 
You always have two ways you can go with ATF:

1. The easy way.
This is the way Haris went.
They will probably never bother him again.
They will see the FUTURE multiple sale reports on Haris, and if they check his file, they'll see the agent's report stating Haris is a legit collector and ignore them.

Haris made "points" with this visit.



2. The Hard Way.
You can order them off your property and tell them to come back with a warrant.
MAYBE they just wanted to ask what you did with a Colt Python you bought new ten years ago that turned up in a triple murder in New York City. You could have told them you traded it to Joe's gun shop about nine years ago while seated at your kitchen table with them.
Now, you can tell them that while you look at your carpet wearing bracelets. :D

Maybe it won't be that bad.
Maybe they won't ever come back.
But somewhere there is a file cabinet with a file in it that has your name on it, and a BIG red flag. There is probably a note which says "Bears further scrutiny".
In southern vernacular: "They gone be watchin' you!". :eek:


When you have two choices, the easy way is usually the best way if it is not illegal or immoral. ;)


That agent left Haris with the knowledge that all the gunowners he checks won't be criminals or fanatics.


My opinion only.
Do what you feel the need to do. :cool:
 
You always have two ways you can go with ATF:

1. The easy way.
This is the way Haris went.
They will probably never bother him again.
They will see the FUTURE multiple sale reports on Haris, and if they check his file, they'll see the agent's report stating Haris is a legit collector and ignore them.

Haris made "points" with this visit.



2. The Hard Way.
You can order them off your property and tell them to come back with a warrant.
MAYBE they just wanted to ask what you did with a Colt Python you bought new ten years ago that turned up in a triple murder in New York City. You could have told them you traded it to Joe's gun shop about nine years ago while seated at your kitchen table with them.
Now, you can tell them that while you look at your carpet wearing bracelets. :D

Maybe it won't be that bad.
Maybe they won't ever come back.
But somewhere there is a file cabinet with a file in it that has your name on it, and a BIG red flag. There is probably a note which says "Bears further scrutiny".
In southern vernacular: "They gone be watchin' you!". :eek:


When you have two choices, the easy way is usually the best way if it is not illegal or immoral. ;)


That agent left Haris with the knowledge that all the gunowners he checks won't be criminals or fanatics.


My opinion only.
Do what you feel the need to do. :cool:

I agree with your assessment.

BUT, they are NOT your friend.

Even so, one can try to maintain a "friendly" relationship with them.
 
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