ATF Trace Protocol?

**Tom Servo** · July 6, 2011, 04:19 PM

I got a call for a gun trace today. Nothing unusual: check the books, pull the 4473, fax it in.

I checked the books, and there was no entry under the disposition column. Then I checked the shelf, and the gun is still there. It never left the shop. The gun went from the manufacturer to a distributor, and from there it went to us, where it's been ever since.

Naturally, there's no 4473 to send in, and I called back and left a message explaining as much. It seems odd. Has anyone else had that happen?

Furthermore, why would a trace be issued in this situation?

**Spats McGee** · July 6, 2011, 04:27 PM

I've never experienced it, but one scenario comes to mind: a gun with an altered serial number recovered from a crime scene.

Eghad · July 6, 2011, 09:17 PM

Typo error.. the number got entered in wrong by one digit?

Happened to my wife when she went to renew her liscense she had a warrant for an outstanding ticket. Upon further review it was found that the drivers liscense was put in wrong by one number.

July 6, 2011, 04:19 PM	#1
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	ATF Trace Protocol? I got a call for a gun trace today. Nothing unusual: check the books, pull the 4473, fax it in. I checked the books, and there was no entry under the disposition column. Then I checked the shelf, and the gun is still there. It never left the shop. The gun went from the manufacturer to a distributor, and from there it went to us, where it's been ever since. Naturally, there's no 4473 to send in, and I called back and left a message explaining as much. It seems odd. Has anyone else had that happen? Furthermore, why would a trace be issued in this situation? __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

July 6, 2011, 04:27 PM	#2
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	I've never experienced it, but one scenario comes to mind: a gun with an altered serial number recovered from a crime scene. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

July 6, 2011, 09:17 PM	#3
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	Typo error.. the number got entered in wrong by one digit? Happened to my wife when she went to renew her liscense she had a warrant for an outstanding ticket. Upon further review it was found that the drivers liscense was put in wrong by one number. __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member