What is the form 4473?
Asked by: Diana Haag | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (39 votes)
A ATF Form 4473, or Firearms Transaction Record, is a mandatory federal form used when buying a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) in the U.S.; it collects buyer information, firearm details, and ensures the buyer isn't a prohibited person, acting as a key record for firearm tracing and preventing illegal transfers, as detailed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
What does a 4473 check for?
Form 4473 contains the purchaser's name, address, date of birth, government-issued photo ID, National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check transaction number, and a short affidavit stating that the purchaser is eligible to purchase firearms under federal law.
What questions are asked on the 4473?
"4473 questions" refer to the questions on the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), a federal form required for most firearm purchases from a licensed dealer, asking biographical details and disqualifying factors like felony convictions, domestic violence, or fugitive status to ensure the buyer is legally eligible to own a gun. Key questions cover identity, residency, citizenship, and past legal issues, including being the actual buyer (not a "straw purchase") and any prohibitions under federal law.
What would make you fail a background check for a gun?
You can fail a gun background check (NICS) due to felony or certain misdemeanor convictions (especially domestic violence), being a fugitive, unlawful user of controlled substances, adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, illegal alien status, dishonorable military discharge, or being subject to certain restraining orders, with denials also occurring from clerical errors or similar names.
What are common Form 4473 mistakes?
Common ATF Form 4473 mistakes involve incomplete buyer/firearm info, misinterpreting gift purchases (Q11a), lying about drug use (Q11e) despite state laws, illegible handwriting, missing signatures/dates, and FFL errors like incorrect serial numbers or failing to record NICS details, all leading to violations. Buyers often mistakenly think state marijuana laws supersede federal law, and incorrectly answer the "actual buyer" question when purchasing a gift, while FFLs struggle with proper documentation and NICS recording.
ATF Form 4473 | Purchasing a Firearm
What is the question 21b on the 4473?
On the revised ATF Form 4473 (August 2023 update), Question 21b asks: "Do you intend to purchase or acquire any firearm listed on this form... for sale or other disposition to any person described in questions 21(c)-(m) or to a person described in question 21.n.1 who does not fall within a nonimmigrant exception?". It's a key question to identify potential "straw purchasers" who buy guns for prohibited persons, essentially asking if you're buying for someone else who might be legally barred from owning one.
What are the questions they ask you when you buy a gun?
You'll have to complete Form 4473, which includes 16 questions relating to your background, drug use, and criminal history. The gun store will then contact NICS online or by phone and supply your answers, and your Social Security number.
What is the hardest background check to pass?
The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist.
How far back does a background check go for a firearm?
A gun background check, via the FBI's NICS system, generally looks back about five years for disqualifying issues like recent drug use or addiction, but certain severe offenses (felonies, domestic violence restraining orders, etc.) are permanent prohibitions, meaning they will always disqualify you regardless of time passed, while a full fingerprint check through IAFIS can go back as far as the record exists, pulling all associated criminal history.
What causes a red flag on a background check?
Red flags on a background check are inconsistencies or negative findings like criminal history (especially violent or financial crimes), employment/education discrepancies (lying about degrees or dates), poor credit, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media that raise concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role. Major red flags include criminal records, dishonesty, financial irresponsibility (for financial roles), and substance abuse issues.
What disqualifies you from owning a gun in the US?
In the U.S., you're disqualified from owning a gun if you're a convicted felon, fugitive, unlawful drug user, dishonorably discharged from the military, subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders, or have been adjudicated as mentally defective or involuntarily committed to a mental institution, with state laws adding more restrictions like misdemeanor stalking or hate crime convictions.
What is the 26 pistol rule?
The "26 pistol rule" refers to an old ATF guideline where an AR-style pistol over 26 inches in overall length (OAL) wasn't considered a concealable "Any Other Weapon" (AOW), allowing vertical foregrips without NFA registration; however, this loophole was closed by ATF regulations (2023R-08F) making braced pistols with OAL under 26 inches AOWs, but courts have since blocked enforcement, leaving the legality of braced firearms in flux and generally requiring NFA registration or modification to avoid being classified as an SBR if under 26 inches.
How many guns can you put on a 4473?
Before the licensee completes the transfer of the first firearm, the transferee decides to acquire an additional firearm. The second firearm may be recorded on the same Form 4473. The acquisition of the two firearms is considered a single transaction.
What triggers a denied NICS check?
A NICS check is denied (triggers a "deny" result) when the buyer matches records for federal prohibitions like felony convictions, domestic violence, unlawful drug use, being a fugitive, dishonorable military discharge, illegal alien status, or certain mental health adjudications; however, denials can also stem from mistaken identity, clerical errors, or unresolved charges that require more review, sometimes falsely flagging someone as prohibited.
How many people have been prosecuted for lying on Form 4473?
By 2019, the numbers hadnt improved much. Federal prosecutors recieved 478 referrals for lying on Form 4473 and filed 298 cases – out of approximately 27 million background checks that year. If you lie on Form 4473, your odds of federal prosecution are statistically microscopic – less than one hundredth of one percent.
What do they look for in a background check when buying a gun?
Buying a gun in the U.S. requires a federal background check through the FBI's NICS system for sales by licensed dealers, involving filling out ATF Form 4473 to verify you're not a prohibited person (like a felon or subject to domestic violence orders), but private sales often bypass these checks unless state law requires them. The dealer submits your info for a "proceed," "denied," or "delayed" decision, ensuring compliance before the firearm transfers.
What can cause you to fail a background check for a gun?
You can fail a gun background check (NICS) due to felony or certain misdemeanor convictions (especially domestic violence), being a fugitive, unlawful user of controlled substances, adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, illegal alien status, dishonorable military discharge, or being subject to certain restraining orders, with denials also occurring from clerical errors or similar names.
How long does a 4473 last?
Changed “Such Forms 4473 must be retained.” To “Such Forms 4473 must be retained until discontinuance of business or licensed activity. Paper forms over 20 years of age may be stored at a separate warehouse, which is considered part of the business premises subject to inspection.
What would make you not pass a background check?
You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.
What looks bad on a background check?
Job-related criminal records are red flags because they reflect the relationship between the candidate's past behavior and the performance expected on the job. For instance, recent convictions for writing bad checks or theft are red flags for candidates applying for accounting positions.
How do I tell if I will pass a background check?
To know if you can pass a background check, honestly review your criminal record, driving history, credit, and employment/education details for major discrepancies or disqualifying offenses (like fraud for finance jobs), then proactively order your own check through a service like Checkr or GoodHire to see what employers see and prepare explanations for red flags like old misdemeanors.
What is the biggest red flag to hear when being interviewed?
The biggest red flags in an interview involve toxic culture indicators like an interviewer badmouthing former employees, being rude or disrespectful (distracted, interrupting, condescending), or showing a lack of transparency about the role or company, often signaled by vague answers, high turnover, or pressure to accept quickly; these suggest a poor environment where you won't be valued or supported.
What is the first thing you do after purchasing a firearm?
Obtain, and actually read, your owner's manual and learn how to operate your firearm safely. If you've purchased a gun and don't know how it works, don't use it or handle it much, especially don't load it, until you obtain the manual and proper instruction to learn how.
What is a good reason to get a gun?
TAKING PRIDE IN GUN OWNERSHIP
Owning a gun today is not just about protection. It can also be enjoyed for hunting and competition shooting. If your firearm is only intended to be used for recreational purposes, that doesn't mean that you should skip the proper safety training and procedures.
What are the 5 gun rules?
The 5 fundamental gun safety rules emphasize treating every firearm as loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed safely, keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, knowing your target and what's beyond it, and using proper safety and storage, with variations focusing on handling, target identification, and maintenance, all aiming to prevent accidents.