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ATF ??

tazz1958
was wondering if ATF inspectors can come in your shop and want to look at your books right then or do they have to give you notice? thanks
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10 comments

Date Votes
  • Mk 19
    There is no notice of inspection, they can show up at anytime, but they will give a notice when doing a full audit of the books due to it being so time consuming.
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  • mark christian
    quote:Originally posted by tazz1958
    was wondering if ATF inspectors can come in your shop and want to look at your books right then or do they have to give you notice? thanks


    I see you used the word shop so this would tend to indicate that you are a Type 01 dealer. The BATFE can show up at any time during your listed business hours with no advanced warning. It would sort of defeat the purpose if they gave you a weeks warning in advance of the inspection and let you get everything squared away!
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  • andrewsw16
    Routine, they will probably contact you ahead of time just so THEY don't waste a trip. You might be on vacation or out sick. If they think you are a criminal arms trader, they will probably just drop in no-notice in hopes of catching you red handed.
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  • 41 nut
    quote:Originally posted by Mk 19
    There is no notice of inspection, they can show up at anytime, but they will give a notice when doing a full audit of the books due to it being so time consuming.


    The last part about giving notice when doing a full audit is wrong. ATF inspector showed up at my place a few weeks ago and done a full audit of the books and every gun in the shop, including parts guns and frames only. Shop is in my basement and he knocked on the door with a badge in one hand and a briefcase in the other. We spent the next 3 1/2 days going over everything and matching them up in my books. They can and will show up any time during your posted business hours to do and audit or inspection. But can only do the complete audit once every 12 months.
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  • Hog Sniper
    I just had my compliance inspection. We made an appointment to meet. Went through the books, every 4473, and every gun. No issues and smooth sailing. Very polite, and easy going. Bottom line is if you are doing what your suppossed to do you generally dont have issues.
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  • vicg1
    quote:Originally posted by 41 nut
    quote:Originally posted by Mk 19
    There is no notice of inspection, they can show up at anytime, but they will give a notice when doing a full audit of the books due to it being so time consuming.


    The last part about giving notice when doing a full audit is wrong. ATF inspector showed up at my place a few weeks ago and done a full audit of the books and every gun in the shop, including parts guns and frames only. Shop is in my basement and he knocked on the door with a badge in one hand and a briefcase in the other. We spent the next 3 1/2 days going over everything and matching them up in my books. They can and will show up any time during your posted business hours to do and audit or inspection. But can only do the complete audit once every 12 months.


    Not entirely true... if they find even one error then they can come back as often as they like during the course of the following year...
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  • Toolman286
    Yes they can. But if you prove yourself to be a legitimate & reputable dealer they won't waste their time bothering you. The first shop I worked at didn't even get a compliance check at renewal time. Where I'm working now gets notice and a polite audit. Just dot your i's & cross your t's. If in doubt, write extra in your books (legibly, with no white outs) and be able to explain it.
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  • 41 nut
    Was told by the inspector that he could be back until his investigation was finished as I had a couple problems. Which he did 3 weeks later. After insuring I had taken care of the problems he closed his investigation and said they could not come back for at least 12 months from that date.
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  • tsr1965
    They can and will, show up in any guise, any form, and at any time you are open. They might even show up as shopper's, and have two or three of them, and try to set you up for a straw purchase. They done that to a couple of shops here in upstate NY a few years back. Even after filling out the 4473 form, and signing it that every thing was true, and the NICS cehck was done, they said that the one owner had 24 hours to surrender his license or they would prosecute.

    Thad said, I had my original license for 20 years before I was audited once. Then when I was audited, it was because I demanded it, before I turned my books in, when I relinquished my license.

    The ATF agents, actually want to keep in close contact with the licensee's these days. They want you to call them and ask questions before doing a questionable transaction, or such. They seem very helpful, in general, unless you get the wrong one who is young, and trying to make a name for themselves. If you are trying to pull the proverbial wool over their eyes, and get caught, that is a situation you created for yourself. Be honest, and open, and legit, and you will have no problems.

    Best
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  • gary wray
    tazz1958.....can they come in right then...yes. Do they have to give you notice....no. I have a C&R license and several years ago had a house call from the ATF to "check your book." They same day I was doing my taxes...IRS at the table, ATF at the front door of my house! Can't make this stuff up! But the agent was super, spent most of day going through my book, and we had no problems. Keep your records right and you will do fine.
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