Women are arming themselves — millions of females now have carry permits and female gun ownership is up 77% since 2005. What factors should women consider when choosing a handgun for self-defense? What are good choices for a lady’s defensive handgun, suitable for concealed carry? Is a self-loading pistol better than a revolver? In this article we include two videos focusing on handgun options for females. The videos cover six key factors: function, size, weight, ergonomics, reliability, and concealability.
Classic Swiss Precision — the Sig P239
The single-stack Sig P239 is an ultra-reliable, compact pistol with a grip suitable for smaller female hands. Weighing 25 oz. in 9mm, it is slightly heavier than polymer-framed handguns, but that may be a good thing. During my handgun training days, this Editor found most women shot the Sig P239 better than Glocks, with more control over recoil. This is a hammer-fired pistol with decocker but no separate safety. There are many other good handgun options for concealed carry — some smaller, thinner and lighter, but the Sig P239 provides a good benchmark for reliability and accuracy. Shown is the .40 S&W model. We prefer the 9mm Luger version. Photo Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.
Choosing a Self-Defense Handgun — Ladies Explain the Options
Not Just a Guy Thing — Half of New Gun Buyers Are Women
According to the Wall Street Journal, over the past two years, “Close to half of all new U.S. gun buyers since the beginning of 2019 have been women.” And the percentage of female gun owners overall has increased dramatically. Here’s an interesting statistic — according to an NSSF survey, the percentage of gun owners who are female has increased dramatically. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has documented a 77% rise in female gun ownership since 2005, just 16 years ago.
And now nearly one-quarter of American gun owners are female. According to statistics from the NRA, around 23% of women in the U.S. own guns currently, when just 13% did in 2005.
The vast majority of first-time female gun buyers acquire a handgun for defensive purposes. However, the statistics also show that many new female gun owners are also getting involved in sport shooting and/or competitive shooting. An interesting TWAW survey shows that 76% of female gun owners are over 45 years of age, and most are married or in a serious relationship.
NRA News host Cam Edwards has interviewed Celia Bigelow, who has written about the rise of gun ownership among ladies on the Townhall.com website. Follow Cam’s interview in this YouTube video:
Americans are buying guns in record numbers again. With rising crime levels in America’s big cities and the recent wave of Smash and Grab attacks at shopping malls, Americans are concerned about their security. And so they are arming themselves.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has noted that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) processed 687,788 background checks during the week leading up to and including Black Friday. The FBI recorded 187,585 NICS checks on Black Friday 2021 alone, ranking it among the Top 10 Highest Days for NICS checks. NOTE: The NICS checks numbers are unadjusted, representing raw data from the FBI, and are inclusive of all background checks related to firearms.
Predicting a massive buying surge, the NSSF worked with firearm retailers to spread out special sales offers to customers throughout the week leading up to Black Friday. The extended sales period was intended to push out purchases over multiple days, so that the FBI NICS system was not overwhelmed on Black Friday, resulting in longer-than-normal wait times.
2021 May Be the Second Highest Year for Gun Sales Ever
“This figure of over 687,000 background checks [in one week] is truly remarkable,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “This year has already been shaping up to be the second strongest year for firearm sales on record, second only to 2020’s record-breaking number of 21 million background checks for a firearm sale. We anticipate, based on annual data, that firearm sales will rise during the final month of the year coinciding with hunting seasons and holiday sales. This figure, though, underscores the appetite for lawful firearm ownership in America and the resilience of the firearm and ammunition industry to meet that demand.”
Below are the totals for each day of unadjusted FBI NICS background checks from November 20, 2021 though Black Friday 2021 on November 26, 2021:
Fast and Furious — FBI Processes 2.2 NICS Checks Per Second
On Black Friday 2021, the FBI NICS Background Check system processed 187,585 gun purchase checks, one of the highest daily totals ever (though not a record). In fact, so many Americans lined up to purchase firearms on Black Friday 2021 that the FBI was processing 2.2 background checks every second, triple the typical NICS daily rate.
Midsouth Shooters is running a great Black Friday sale this year. If you need an electronic scale/dispenser, grab the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite for just $179.99, the lowest price you’ll find anywhere. And if you need .224 caliber bullets for varmint work or training, Midsouth is now offering FIVE Thousand 55gr bullets for just $399.99 — that works out to just $8.00 per 100, an amazing deal. There are many other great bargains at Midsouth currently. NOTE: It appears these deals are good through Monday.
MidwayUSA — Cyber Week Sale
MidwayUSA offers FREE SHIPPING for orders over $49 with Code CYBERFS4921.
There are scores of bargains offered through MidwayUSA’s Cyber Week Sale (8 Days of Savings). There are new deals every day through 11/29/2021. You’ll find deep discounts on optics, reloading equipment, hunting gear and factory ammo on MidwayUSA’s Cyber Week Sale Page. NOTE you get FREE Shipping for orders over $49 with Code CYBERFS4921. Here are some of the best Black Friday Deals:
Cutting Edge Bullets — 20% Off All Bullets
At Cutting Edge Bullets you can get 20% off of your entire order with code BLK2021 at checkout. This Sale ends Sunday, November 28th at midnight. Get this deal by ordering direct from Cuttingedgebullets.com.
Bass Pro & Cabela’s — Black Friday CyberWeek Sale
Hundreds of products are on sale right now at Bass Pro and Cabela’s. Hunters will find bargains on camo gear, packs, boots, trail cams and more. In addition a variety of optics are deeply discounted, including Vortex and Cabela’s house brand binoculars and spotting scopes. One great deal we noted is the Savage Axis XP rifle with Weaver 3-9x40mm scope. This camo-stocked hunting rig is just $249.97 after applicable $75 Savage Rebate. Yes that includes the scope! That’s a steal for a capable deer rifle.
Brownells Black Rifle Friday Sale and Giveaway
Brownells’ Black Rifle Friday Page has great deals on uppers, lowers, AR components, magazines, and optics. Sale prices are good through 11/28/2021. The Grand Finale of the Black Rifle Friday will be on Monday, November 29th, with additional special deals and exclusives. And you can also enter to win one of four (4) $1,000 Brownells gift cards. Go to the Brownells Grand Giveaway Entry Page.
Academy Sports — $400 Off Cannon 43-Gun Safe Today Only!
This could be the best deal on a large gun safe we’ve seen all year. This Cannon 43-gun safe (with 30 min fire rating) normally retails for $999.99. Today only, Black Friday (11/26/21), this big safe is just $599.99 — a $400.00 savings. This is an incredible deal — 40% off retail for ONE DAY ONLY. NOTE: There is also a $20 off $200 discount with Code EM10TS3JKE that might apply (no guarantees on that).
Today, November 25th, is Thanksgiving. That means a large percentage of Americans will be on the road to visit relatives. We know many of our readers have concealed carry permits or will otherwise be traveling with firearms. When crossing into different states with guns in a vehicle, you need to be mindful of all state and local laws and restrictions.
Five Worst States for Traveling with Firearms
This article appears in the Cheaper Than Dirt Shooter’s Log.
The U.S. is a patchwork of confusing and cumbersome laws that change the rules of what you can carry, where you can carry, and whether you can possess the firearm, ammunition of magazine at without running afoul of the local laws. Now, if every state was like Vermont, law abiding gun owners could freely travel with their firearms with no worries. Unfortunately, many states have a history of being hostile to traveling gun owners.
The federal “Firearms Owner Protection Act” allows travel through any state as long as the firearm is unloaded, in a locked case, and not easily accessible to the passengers. However, that is not to say that certain states that are less friendly to firearms have not created their own laws that would snare unsuspecting otherwise law-abiding firearm owners. This led us to name the Top 5 States to Avoid while traveling with a firearm this holiday season.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut does not have any gun reciprocity agreements with other states. This means nonresidents are not allowed to carry handguns in Connecticut under a permit issued by another state.
HAWAII
Every person arriving into the state who brings a firearm of any description, usable or not, shall register the firearm within three days of the arrival of the person or the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county where the person will reside, where their business is, or the person’s place of sojourn. GET Hawaii Firearms INFO HERE.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts imposes harsh penalties on the mere possession and transport of firearms without a license to carry. Prospective travelers are urged to contact the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau at (617) 660-4780 or contact the State Police. GET Massachusetts Firearms INFO HERE.
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the country. Your firearm must be unloaded, in a locked container, and not accessible in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that anyone traveling within the state is deemed to be aware of these regulations and will be held strictly accountable for violations. If you’re traveling through New Jersey, the N.J. State Police website provides information regarding transporting firearms within state lines. GET New Jersey Firearms INFO HERE.
NEW YORK
Use extreme caution when traveling through New York state with firearms. New York’s general approach is to make the possession of handguns and so-called “assault weapons” illegal. A number of localities, including Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Suffolk County, and Yonkers, impose their own requirements on the possession, registration, and transport of firearms. Possession of a handgun within New York City requires a New York City handgun license or a special permit from the city Police Commissioner. This license validates a state license within the city. Even New York state licenses are generally not valid within New York City unless a specific exemption applies. Possession of a shotgun or rifle within New York City requires a permit, which is available to non-residents, and a certificate of registration.
More Scary States for Gun Owners
Here are six other jurisdictions (five states and DC) where you need to be wary when traveling. California, for example, treats all handguns in vehicles as “loaded” if there is ammunition loaded into an attached magazine. It’s wise, when in California, to have handguns unloaded in a LOCKED case, with all ammunition or magazines in a separate section of the vehicle. These states (and DC) all have laws that can trap unsuspecting gun-owners. Be wary.
California
Delaware
Dist. of Columbia
Illinois
Maryland
Rhode Island
Many gun gear makers and online vendors are offering great bargains right now through “Pre-Black Friday” promotions. Popular online stores are offering big discounts on a large inventory selection — in some cases, everything in stock is discounted 10%, 15%, even 25%.
Traditionally, a host of major sales commence on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. However, some major Black Friday Week promotions that are already underway today, November 24th, 2021. You’ll find super deals on firearms, reloading tools, optics, shooting accessories, and more. Most of the offers shown below are active right now, or start on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. We will release another Sale Spotlight tomorrow for deals that begin on Black Friday.
EuroOptic Black Friday/Cyber Week Savings — Major Discounts
EuroOptic is offering special Cyber Week savings on scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and laser rangefinders from major brands including Schmidt & Bender, SIG Sauer, Crimson Trace, Eotech and more. In addition, you’ll find discounts on Vortex, Leupold, and other brands. And not just optics are on sale — there are Cyber Week discounts on Kimber pistols, Timney triggers, Garmin gear, and SilencerCo suppressors. CLICK HERE to see ALL the EuroOptic deals.
Primary Arms Pre-Black Friday Sale
Save on AR lowers, uppers, optics, triggers, .22 LR AR conversion kits, cleaning kits, backpacks and more. Primary Arms has discounted nearly all Aero Precision products. Plus Primary Arms has complete Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 rimfire AR clones for $379.99 — that’s $70 off the regular price.
Palmetto State Armory — Pre-Black Friday Sales
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has already kicked off a major Black Friday week sale. If you are shopping for an AR lower, upper, or magazines, this is the first place to look. PSA also has very attractive pricing on handguns for carry or competition.
Precision Reloading — Bullets, Brass, Presses, and Dies on Sale
Precision Reloading has discounted Hornady bullets, Redding dies, RCBS presses, RCBS ChargeMaster Lites, RCBS priming tools, Redding presses, Lyman tools, Starline brass, and more. This is a great opportunity to get a good press and quality dies for your next gun project.
Creedmoor Sports — Pre-Black Friday Savings on Many Products
Creedmoor Sports is running a big Thanksgiving Week Sale with significant savings on dozens of popular items including signature Creedmoor Sports shooting coats, shooting mats, carts, rifle cases, scope stands, and much more. There are also big discounts on Sightron and Hi-Lux optics, electronic hearing protection, reloading tools, and other hardware. CLICK HERE to see all products on sale now.
Walmart — Hewlett Packard Core i3 Windows Laptop, $279.00
⏺ GREAT price for HP laptop with Windows 10 and very fast SSD
Here is a killer pre-Black Friday deal at Walmart. Get a fine Hewlett Packard (HP) 15.6″ Laptop computer with Windows 10 software for just $279.00! This HP features a fast Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of super-fast SSD storage, plus FREE Windows 11 upgrade. With this device you can can monitor a shot-marker, record match results, and access load data at the range. NOTE: If you prefer a faster processor, Walmart also offers a similar HP laptop for $379.00 with Intel i5 processor, Windows 11, and 8GB RAM/250GB SSD.
Sportsman’s Warehouse — Early Access Black Friday Sale
Sportsman’s Warehouse is running an “Early Access” Sale with major discounts on firearms, hunting gear, outdoor clothing, and optics. You’ll find great deals on scopes, rangefinder, and binoculars from Vortex, Nikon, Crimson Trace, Leupold, SIG Sauer and other top brands. You can save up to $500 on Crimson Trace scopes. If you want even bigger savings, CLICK HERE for a preview of the featured Black Friday sale items starting 11/26/2021.
Longshot — Big Cyber Days Savings on LR Target Cameras
Longshot makes the best long range target cameras on the market. These offer great image quality and unrivaled range. In addition, Longshot offers a cool system that works with spotting scopes, allowing you to video-record your strings and even score shots. Right now you can save $100.00 on the superb Longshot LR-3 UHD system with 2-mile range. Save up to $250.00 on multi-camera systems.
Big Shot Tumblers — FREE Shipping through December 5, 2021
Forum member F-Class John offers the superb, high-capacity Big Shot Tumblers in two high-capacity sizes, BST-40 and BST-60. These Big Shot Tumblers put lesser machines to shame. If you regularly tumble large quantities of cases, you should definitely get a Big Shot Tumbler. These start at $380 for the 40-lb capacity BST-40 model. Now through 12/5/2021, you can get FREE SHIPPING on your orders. Use coupon Code BIGSHIP during check-out.
As part of the Black Friday/Cyber Week marketing hoopla, Daniel Defense and Baretta are running big contests, with a combined $50,000 in prizes.
$20,000 in Prizes with Daniel Defense Thanksgiveaway
Daniel Defense, in collaboration with other brands, is running a big Thanksgiveaway Weekend contest with $20,000 in total prizes. The $20K number was chosen because Daniel Defense is “celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year”. There will be four big prize packages given away at the end of this holiday weekend. To enter the $20,000 “Thanksgiveaway Weekend” contest, visit: DanielDefense.com/Sweepstakes.
The promotion includes four packages totaling over $20,000 in prizes featuring products from Daniel Defense, Trijicon, Fort Scott Munitions, Premier Body Armor and training provided by Warrior Poet Society. Enter beginning Black Friday, November 26, at 12:00AM EST, and ending Cyber Monday, November 29, at 11:59PM EST, with no purchase necessary.
Beretta Experience — $30,000 in Prizes Including Trip to Italy
The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), in partnership with Beretta, Galco, Leupold, Pelican, Primary Arms, and Remington, has launched the Beretta Experience Giveaway. This contest offers $30,000 in prizes — guns and gear plus a trip to Italy. Entry deadline is Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
“Beretta is excited to announce that we are teaming up with USCCA, merging 500 years of firearms development with a future million membership organization” said Nicoloa Lorenzi of Beretta. Founded in 1526, Beretta is the oldest firearms manufacturer in the world. Beretta will welcome the winner and one guest to visit its headquarters, with an exclusive tour of the Beretta Museum in Gardone Val Trompia, Italy. Built in 1880, the Beretta Museum hosts over 1,500 firearms products.
Here are the prizes the Contest Winner will get:
From USCCA: Elite USCCA Membership (1 Year)
2-Day Travel & Hotel for Winner + Guest to Italy
TOTAL MSRP: $10,504
From Galco: Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $3,000
From Leupold: Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $3,000
From Pelican: Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $3,000
From Beretta: Beretta Headquarters Visit
Exclusive personal tour of the Beretta Museum
Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $5,000
From Primary Arms: Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $3,000
From Remington: Gift Card/Product
TOTAL MSRP: $3,000
The Beretta Experience Giveaway winner will be awarded a one-year elite membership to the U.S Concealed Carry Association. The organization offers online training and education and works with firearms experts to provide new and improved training courses.
CLICK HERE for official giveaway rules and more information.
MidwayUSA’s Cyber Week Sale runs November 22, 2021 through Monday, November 29, 2021.
MidwayUSA’s big Cyber Week Sale kicks off today November 22nd and runs through Monday, November 29, 2021. There are deep discounts on popular shooting, hunting, and outdoor products. You’ll find really great deals on select shooting gear, ammunition, optics, hunting clothing and more from brands like Vortex, Sightron, RCBS, Browning, MidwayUSA, Magpul, and IMI just to name a few. Select products will also be eligible for FREE shipping.
New products go on sale every day during the Cyber Week promo.
Here are some of the specials available today 11/22/21:
“2021 has been a crazy year for product availability. Delayed shipments and high demand have caused some products to be really hard to find,” said Jeff Larkin, VP of Marketing. “Our team has worked really hard to get some really great stuff at fantastic Cyber Week prices. This could be our best promotion yet!”
Cyber Week Sweepstakes — Win Primers, Ammo, Electronic Scale/Dispenser and More
In connection with the 2021 Cyber Week Sale, MidwayUSA is running a big Cyber Week Sweepstakes. Visit MidwayUSA.com/sweepstakes for your chance to win 10,000 CCI Primers, RCBS Rebel Master, RCBS MatchMaster Scale/Dispenser (worth $900), RCBS Rebel Press, Caldwell Lead Sled, 240 rds Hornady Hunting Ammo, AR-STONER EV2 Upper, YETI LoadOut GoBox, and more. Total prize value is $4,310.70!
Report by NRA-ILA
In recent weeks, Americans have rightly become concerned over a somewhat obscure ATF recordkeeping regulation that has a profound impact on gun rights. If gun control advocates get their way in changing this federal regulation for the worse, altering how ATF maintains these records… American gun owners would find themselves subject to what amounts to a backdoor gun registry.
The type of electronically searchable database the ATF is seeking to develop would amount to a partial firearm registry. Firearm registries facilitate firearm confiscation.
Federal law requires those who purchase a firearm at a Federal Firearms Licensee (gun dealer or FFL) to fill out a form 4473. This record of the firearm transfer is then stored by the dealer on their premises. This creates a system whereby if a gun is found at a crime scene ATF can trace the firearm to the last retail purchase. However, since the records are stored with each FFL, the system is decentralized in a manner that protects against government abuse of gun owner data.
Gun dealers are required to maintain 4473s for 20 years. When a dealer goes out of business they must send their last 20 years of records to ATF’s National Tracing Center to facilitate firearm traces. Some of ATF’s materials appear to deliberately omit the 20-year requirement, seemingly in the hopes that FFLs will send all of their records to the National Tracing Center, regardless of age.
Under this system, over a million out-of-business dealer records are sent to ATF each month. Records obtained by gun rights advocates show that in 2021 ATF processed a staggering 54.7 million of these records.
ATF proposed rule 2021R-05 would make this record-keeping requirement more burdensome for FFLs and diminish gun owner privacy. Under the proposed rule, FFLs would be required to maintain 4473s indefinitely and relinquish all such data to ATF upon going out of business. NRA-ILA is opposed to this rule change.
The type of electronically searchable database the ATF is seeking to develop would amount to a partial firearm registry. And as all gun rights supporters and gun control advocates know, firearm registries facilitate firearm confiscation.
This understanding was at the heart of the debate over the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the development of the current recordkeeping system. In 1985, Sen. James McClure (R-Idaho) explained, “The central compromise of the Gun Control Act of 1968 — the sine qua non for the entry of the Federal Government into any form of firearms regulation was this: Records concerning gun ownership would be maintained by dealers, not by the Federal Government and not by State and local governments.”
—————–
The National Tracing Center could take another step towards a firearm registry if anti-gun lawmakers criminalize the private transfer of firearms — sometimes referred to as universal background check legislation. By funneling more firearm transfers through FFLs, lawmakers would create additional opportunities for recordkeeping on firearms and gun owners that could end up in the National Tracing Center database.
Gun owners have every reason to jealously guard information pertaining to firearm transfers. NRA-ILA will continue to work to help ensure gun owner privacy and to keep gun owners apprised of the ongoing attempts to cobble together a backdoor firearm registry.
Thanksgiving is just one week away. What better way to celebrate the Thanksgiving season than to practice your marksmanship shooting some bearded gobblers (of the paper variety). Here’s our custom Turkey Target, ready for family fun. This special Turkey Bullseye Target was created by our friend and Forum member Pascal (aka “DesertFrog”). CLICK HERE for FREE Turkey Target.
If you prefer color targets, here’s another turkey target, courtesy of the NRA. Hone your skills on a trio of turkeys. The target features three red bullseyes, centered on the gobblers. You can print the target in black and white, but they look best in color. Click the image below to download a FREE printable PDF file.
Get a Full Set of Animal Targets
For your convenience, we’ve packaged the Turkey Target along with five (5) other varmint/animal-themed targets. These are all offered in .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format for easy printing.
The popular Talladega 600 Match is running this week (November 15-21, 2021) at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama. Our friend Paula Crenshaw is at Talladega this week, shooting the match both as an individual and as a member of a Women’s Team. Paula says there are quite a few lady shooters at the event. Here are some images from the match. Paula, who holds the Distinguished Badge, is a member of the CMP Board of Directors.
The 4-member women’s team included Paula Crenshaw, Meredith Grant, Ashley Kennedy-Foster, and Jeannie Redicker. Ashley and Jeannie are in the photo above shooting prone. This foursome finished 4th in the team match.
Notably, in the Congressional 30 match, five women made the top 30: Haley Robinson (4th); Paula Crenshaw (15th); Ashley Kennedy-Foster (24th); Jeannie Redicker (26th); and Rachael Miller-Lansdown (29th). The Congressional 30 Overall Winner was James Fox while the High Junior was Anton Van Hoven.
The Talladega 600 includes a wide variety of popular CMP Matches:
BENCHREST GARAND MATCH
RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP 101/M16 MATCH
PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP 101/M9 MATCH
GARAND/SPRINGFIELD/VINTAGE/MODMIL MATCH
CONGRESSIONAL 30
RIFLE EIC MATCH
4-MAN TEAM MATCH
CARBINE MATCH
RIMFIRE SPORTER BENCHREST MATCH
HIGH POWER DIXIE DOUBLE MATCH
VINTAGE SNIPER TEAM MATCH
RIMFIRE SPORTER MATCH
M1A MATCH
CMP MATCH PISTOL 2700
CMP AS-ISSUED 1911 PISTOL MATCH
MILITARY & POLICE PISTOL MATCH
CMP .22 RIMFIRE PISTOL EIC MATCH
EIC PISTOL MATCH
Additional events include versions of prestigious National Trophy Matches, such as the Congressional 30 (with the same Course of Fire as the President’s 100 Match) and the Dixie Double High Power Match (mirrored off of the Hearst Doubles Match).
Electronic Targets Speed Up Matches at Talladega
Kongsberg target systems are used at the Talladega Marksmanship Park. Each firing point of the 500-acre facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art KTS electronic target and scoring monitor. This speeds up relays and eliminates the need for competitors to do pit duty to pull and mark targets. Located beside the shooter on the firing line, each monitor allows the competitor to see his/her shot location and score immediately.
According to the Wall Street Journal, over the past two years, “Close to half of all new U.S. gun buyers since the beginning of 2019 have been women.” And the percentage of female gun owners overall has increased dramatically. Here’s an interesting statistic — according to an NSSF survey, the percentage of gun owners who are female has increased dramatically. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has documented a 77% rise in female gun ownership since 2005, just 16 years ago.
Federal law requires those who purchase a firearm at a Federal Firearms Licensee (gun dealer or FFL) to fill out a form 4473. This record of the firearm transfer is then stored by the dealer on their premises. This creates a system whereby if a gun is found at a crime scene ATF can trace the firearm to the last retail purchase. However, since the records are stored with each FFL, the system is decentralized in a manner that protects against government abuse of gun owner data.
