BATF director apologizes for mishandling issuance of new forms

On February 19, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms implemented its new Form 4473, which is required of customers before a gun sale can be completed. However, very few dealers received the new form by the February 19 deadline because the Bureau’s printing contractor failed to have the forms ready for shipping. The mistake sent dealers scrambling to get the new form. When the mistake was realized, the Bureau was forced to fax the form to many dealers, post the new form on its web site, and in some instances, personally deliver them to dealers. Business for many dealers ground to a halt until they could obtain the new form.

"It was a real dilemma for our members," said TGDA Executive Director, Scott Pospisil. "We sent emergency notices to our dealer members and had to go all over the state to acquire the forms."

The Bureau quickly acknowledged its mistake, and issued an apology to the industry. "Had everything gone as planned, forms would have been distributed in ample time, and the change over would have been successful," said BATF Director, Bradley Buckles, in an open letter to all licensed dealers. " It was our responsibility to have forms in your hands, or to provide for reasonable alternatives, but we did not do that in all cases."

Compounding the problem was the Bureau’s unwillingness to distribute the few forms it had on hand. In most cases, Bureau personnel would distribute no more than a hundred forms to any one dealer.

TGDA President, Bill Carter, informed Director Buckles of the damage in Texas stating, "At this time, there is no way to estimate our losses in sales and goodwill, but I fear they are substantial."