BREAKING: The ATF Makes Changes To NICS Check Form 4473

Published on November 21, 2016
Duration: 3:55

The ATF has updated Form 4473, the NICS background check form, effective January 16, 2017. The most significant change addresses marijuana legalization, clarifying that unlawful use or addiction to marijuana, regardless of state law, prohibits firearm purchase. The form also includes updated questions regarding sex and clarifies that questions 10A and 10B must be answered.

Quick Summary

Effective January 16, 2017, ATF Form 4473 has been updated to address marijuana legalization. The form clarifies that unlawful marijuana use is prohibited under federal law for firearm purchases, regardless of state laws. It also updates the 'gender' question to 'sex' and stresses the importance of answering all questions, including 10A and 10B.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Form 4473 Changes
  2. 00:30ATF Form 4473 Update Details
  3. 01:01Effective Date of New Form
  4. 01:23Marijuana Legalization and Form 4473
  5. 01:41New Marijuana Question Wording
  6. 01:57Federal Law Warning on Marijuana
  7. 02:13Impact of Medical Marijuana Cards
  8. 02:41Other Form 4473 Changes
  9. 02:52Gender to Sex Question Change
  10. 03:07NFA Items and Form 4473
  11. 03:11Clarification on Questions 10A and 10B
  12. 03:21Conclusion and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key changes to ATF Form 4473 effective January 16, 2017?

The primary change addresses marijuana legalization, clarifying that unlawful marijuana use is prohibited under federal law for firearm purchases, regardless of state laws. The form also updates the 'gender' question to 'sex' and emphasizes that questions 10A and 10B must be answered.

Does state legalization of marijuana affect federal firearm purchase eligibility?

No, the ATF's updated Form 4473 explicitly states that marijuana use remains unlawful under federal law. Therefore, even if marijuana is legalized or decriminalized in your state, you cannot legally purchase a firearm if you are an unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana.

What is the ATF Form 4473 and why is it important?

Form 4473, the Firearms Transaction Record, is a mandatory document for all firearm purchases from licensed dealers in the U.S. It is used for the NICS background check to ensure purchasers are legally eligible to own a firearm.

What does the updated Form 4473 say about marijuana and firearm purchases?

The updated form includes a warning stating that the use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under federal law. This means individuals who are unlawful users of or addicted to marijuana cannot legally purchase firearms, irrespective of state-level marijuana laws.

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