Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09157

Thank you for accepting comments on this proposed rule change. I'm an FFL in Connecticut, and I'm generally open to ideas that loosen restrictions on firearms. However, this proposed rule change brings up a lot of safety concerns. Primarily, I worry about straw purchases. When I complete a 4473 with somebody "in-person" I am better able to confirm their identity and confirm that the person buying the gun is the person paying for the gun, and that they are buying it for themselves, and not for somebody else. If documentation is allowed to be provided electronically, this will open the door to a far easier ability for criminals to make a straw purchase. Sending a gun directly to somebody through the mail (or FedEx / UPS) makes it significantly easier for people who are not FFL's (for example, individuals who sell on GunBroker.com) to just send a gun to somebody. Additionally, it is well known that packages are consistently stolen when delivery is attempted to a residence. Even if something has to be signed for, we have had deliveries that arrive to our shop where the drivers just drop the packages off (without signature). As a dealer, I've complained about this when it has occurred. However, human error, and the "human factor" of a driver just not wanting to come back at a later point is a real-world concern that should not be ignored. Stolen packages will become "stolen guns" at a rate significantly higher than what currently occurs. (I'm assuming the rate is nominal for FFL's at this current time. I've been in business for 12 years and have never had a package stolen. However, if packages are delivered to homes, instead of to a dealer, that number will absolutely go up.) These considerations are the more obvious concerns, but when a dealer has a face-to-face with a client, we can better ascertain if the client should not receive a firearm than if we are just sending the firearm through the mail. We have turned down purchases before, recognizing that a purchase was likely nefarious. This occurs because we are able to judge body language, intonation, nervousness, and characteristics that are visible in-person... that would not be present with an online transaction. Of additional note, while I'm writing this as an FFL dealer, it is worth saying that we have a large online presence, and a very small storefront. If this new rule goes through- I will surely sell more online guns. We do a lot of online business now. If I'm able to sell guns to folks in a different part of our State, who may not want to drive to us, but would like to buy a gun from us if it was shipped... this new rule would increase my business in that area. It would increase it a lot! However, it would be far easier for a criminally-minded individual to sneak a purchase by, and I'm really hoping that the ATF does not issue this ruling and keeps firearms transactions as a face-to-face mandatory transfer. Thank you for your time and consideration. Darin Reisler, Owner, The Tactical Boutique in West Hartford, Connecticut.