Unfortunately the ATF hasn’t updated their website, so I can’t link to a new example.
Some of the changes:
1) It’s yellow again.
2) They have checkboxes now for the “Yes/No” question section. This is, I think, the 2nd change related to those questions in 8 years. Back in 2001 there was only enough room to put “Y” or “N” so they changed that, and now they’ve just scrapped requiring people to write it all out. Good. One less reason to go after legit dealers.
3) Apparently abbreviating your address is now OK. I hear the new form says this explicitly. Good. I always thought it odd that the ATF couldn’t read an address that the USPS or any 3rd grader would understand.
4) New options on the type of weapon transferred. If you’re ordering up a bare receiver that can now be selected. Previously if you were planning on turning an AR-15 lower into an AR-15 pistol you had to make sure the FFL marked it as a pistol, but no more.
FFl’s are required to use the new form by November 15. So, next time you plan on buying a new gun be prepared for a new form.
But I wanna buy more guns before November 15th. Before November 4th for that matter.
Looks like the changes are mostly improvements.
Now the bad news: Even though the length of the form for the buyer hasn’t materially changed at one page of normal sized print, there are approximately three and one half pages of Notices, Instructions and Definitions in fine print. When buyer signs the form he certifies under penalty of felony perjury that he has read and understands all of the Notices, Instructions and Definitions.
Good luck. I don’t generally consider myself stupid and it took me most of a morning to read and understand the text with references to U.S. code.
The first guy I used the form with looked at the fine print, shrugged and said, “Hell. I can’t even see that. Where do I sign?”
This, apparently is the new form, although it appears that they’ve delayed the switch until January.
I’m still not quite clear on whether or not one will be legally able to build (for example) an AR pistol out of any AR lower receiver (as long as it doesn’t have a shoulder stock attached), without any additional paperwork/fees.
Oops–my attempt to post a link to the form itself didn’t seem to work–let’s try again.
so what happens in states that require pistol permits to buy pistol AR lowers?
I’m pretty sure it’s just a matter of how North Carolina (your state) defines a handgun. I’m unable to find one easily, but have gathered that it includes crossbows, which aren’t even firearms.
Using Michigan as an example, because I live here, the legislature has defined a pistol as anything that is shorter than 30″ when in a firing configuration. Consequently the 29.5″ long Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (a rifle by federal standards, and goes down as a long-gun on the 4473) requires a pistol purchase permit to transfer. Another example would be a pistol-gripped shotgun with a nice short 18.5″ barrel on it. Should be around 27-28″, not a pistol by federal standards (not a shotgun either, but I digress) but it’s a pistol by Michigan’s standards and requires the pistol purchase permit to transfer.
In short: This change shouldn’t change anything at the state permit process level anywhere.