FFL Record Retention
Reference Guide


Record
Retention Time
DEALER
Dealer’s Acquisition and Disposition Record
27 CFR 478.125(e)
20 years*
27 CFR 478.129(e)
Firearms Transaction Record - ATF Form 4473 Firearm Transfers
27 CFR 478.124
20 years*
27 CFR 478.129(b)
Firearms Transaction Record -
ATF Form 4473 NICS Check Without Transfer
27 CFR 478.124
5 years
27 CFR 478.129(b)
Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers –
ATF Form 3310.4 Attached to pertinent ATF Form 4473
27 CFR 478.126(a)
5 years
27 CFR 478.129(c)
Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report – ATF Form 3310.11
27 CFR 478.39(a)
8 years
27 CFR 478.129(c)
MANUFACTURER
Manufacture/Acquisition Records
27 CFR 478.123(a-d)
FOREVER
27 CFR 478.129(d)
Disposition Records
27 CFR 478.123(a-d)
20 years*
27 CFR 478.129(d)
IMPORTER
Importer/Acquisition Records
27 CFR 478.122(a-d)
FOREVER
27 CFR 478.129(d)
Disposition Records
27 CFR 478.122(a-d)
20 years*
27 CFR 478.129(d)
Application and Permit to Import Arms, Ammunition and Implements
of War – ATF Form 6 & Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms,
Ammunition and Implements of War – ATF Form 6A
27 CFR 478.112
20 years*
27 CFR 478.129(d)
*Although 27 CFR 478.129(e) provides that records from the acquisition, manufacture, importation, disposition and/or sale of firearms may be discarded after 20 years, ATF prefers that these records be retained. However, ATF will accept these records when submitted to the ATF out of business records center.

Note - Upon going out of business, all currently maintained records must be turned in to the ATF out of business records center. 800-788-7133.


Thank you to the NSSF for providing this information. WWW.NSSF.ORG