Comment on FR Doc # 2026-08929
Jarod LSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter supports reducing the firearm record retention period, arguing that 20 years is excessive compared to the national average time-to-crime. They propose a 10-year retention period for 4473 forms and a maximum of 20 years for A&D history to reduce the burden on FFLs and protect customer privacy.
I agree that the ATF should reduce the time period in which records need to be retained but feel that even 20 years is too long. According to 2024 statistics from the ATF, the National Time-To-Crime average is just over 7 years. I see no reason that FFLs should need to maintain records for nearly three times the national average length of time that they would be required - especially as the needs and efficacy for 20-year traces diminishes year-over-year. To ease the burden on FFLs across the country, 4473s should only be retained for 10 years, and to compromise A&D history should be kept for 20 years at the absolute maximum. Beyond this 20 year period, I see no point why these records should be retained in any facility - FFL or government. Beyond 20 years, as traces become unlikely and harder to fulfill, all records should be destroyed to protect the PII of customers and to prevent a de-facto registry from being built.