Revising Firearms Transaction Record, “Form 4473”

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 27 CFR Part 478 [Docket No. ATF-2026-0001; ATF 2025R-01P] RIN 1140-AA82 ( printed page 25432) AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is proposing to amend Department of Justice (“Department”) regulations governing ATF Form 5300.9, Firearms Transaction Record, (“Form 4473”). Specifically, ATF proposes streamlining identity and residence verification requirements and documents; doubling the performance timeframe for transactions under Form 4473 following a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) check; permitting electronic forms and notice, auto-populating, and attached copies; addressing private party transfers and firearms handler checks; incorporating ATF rulings and other guidance; further aligning regulations with statutory text; and making minor technical revisions. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) August 6, 2026. Commenters should be aware that the federal e-rulemaking portal comment system will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1140-AA82, by either of the following methods&…