Resources
FFL glossary.
Running a federally licensed firearms business means living in a world of acronyms: 4473, A&D, NICS, NFA, SOT. This glossary breaks down the terms that matter, in plain language, so a new home-based FFL and a seasoned multi-store operator can both find what they need fast. It is educational, not legal advice. For anything specific to your license, confirm with the ATF or a qualified compliance advisor.
FFL Licensing and Types
FFL (Federal Firearms License)
A license issued by the ATF that allows a person or business to engage in the business of manufacturing, importing, or dealing in firearms. Anyone in the firearms business needs the right type of FFL.
FFL Type 01, Dealer
The most common license. Covers dealing in firearms at a fixed premises, including gun stores and many gunsmiths. A Type 01 can buy, sell, and transfer most common firearms.
FFL Type 02, Pawnbroker
A dealer license for pawnbrokers who take firearms in pawn or trade as part of their business.
FFL Type 03, Collector of Curios and Relics
A license for private collectors to acquire curio and relic firearms across state lines for a personal collection. It is not a license to deal in firearms as a business.
FFL Type 06, Manufacturer of Ammunition
Allows the manufacture of ammunition (but not firearms) for sale or distribution.
FFL Type 07, Manufacturer of Firearms and Ammunition
Allows the manufacture of firearms and ammunition, and also covers dealing. A common license for makers who also sell.
FFL Type 08, Importer of Firearms and Ammunition
Allows importing firearms and ammunition into the United States.
FFL Types 09, 10, and 11, Destructive Devices
Licenses for dealing in (09), manufacturing (10), and importing (11) destructive devices, a specially regulated category.
Home-Based FFL
An FFL operated from a residence rather than a commercial storefront, common for transfer-focused and part-time dealers. The same ATF rules apply as for a storefront.
Responsible Person (RP)
An individual with the power to direct the management and policies of an FFL, such as an owner or officer, who must be listed on the license application and background-checked.
SOT (Special Occupational Taxpayer)
An FFL that has paid the special occupational tax to deal in, manufacture, or import NFA items. Class 1 imports, Class 2 manufactures, and Class 3 deals in NFA firearms.
ATF Forms
Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record)
The form a buyer completes for a firearm transfer from an FFL. It records the buyer's information and eligibility and must be retained by the dealer.
E4473
The electronic version of the 4473, completed and stored digitally. Trident 1 runs the E4473 inside the point of sale through FastBound.
Form 3310.4 (Multiple Sale of Handguns)
A report an FFL files when it sells two or more handguns to the same person within five consecutive business days.
Form 3310.12 (Multiple Sale of Rifles)
A report required in the southwest border states when an FFL sells two or more certain semiautomatic rifles to the same person within five consecutive business days.
NFA Forms 1, 3, 4, and 5
The forms used to make and transfer NFA items. Form 1 applies to making an NFA firearm, Form 3 to transfers between qualified FFLs and SOTs, Form 4 to transfers to a non-licensee, and Form 5 to certain tax-exempt transfers.
Recordkeeping and Compliance
Bound Book (A&D, Acquisition and Disposition Record)
The official record every FFL must keep of firearms acquired and disposed of. Historically a paper book, it can now be kept electronically. Trident 1 keeps it electronically and exceeds ATF Ruling 2016-1.
Acquisition
The entry made in the bound book when a firearm comes into an FFL's inventory.
Disposition
The entry made in the bound book when a firearm leaves an FFL's inventory.
ATF Ruling 2016-1
The ATF ruling that sets the conditions under which an FFL may keep its acquisition and disposition records electronically rather than on paper.
eForms
The ATF's electronic filing system for many firearms forms, used to submit applications and reports online.
Variance
Written ATF approval to keep records or conduct certain operations in a way that differs from the standard regulation, such as an alternate bound-book format.
ATF Inspection
A compliance inspection in which the ATF reviews an FFL's records and operations. Clean, current records are what get a dealer through one smoothly.
Revocation
The ATF's withdrawal of an FFL, typically after serious or repeated violations. Avoiding it is the reason compliance matters.
Background Checks
NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System)
The FBI system that FFLs use to check whether a buyer is eligible to receive a firearm. A check returns proceed, delay, or denied.
Brady Act
The 1993 law that established the national background-check requirement for firearm transfers by FFLs, leading to NICS.
POC (Point of Contact) State
A state that runs its own background checks through a state agency instead of, or alongside, the FBI's NICS.
Multi-State Background Check
Background-check handling that accounts for the differing rules of the state where a transfer occurs. Trident 1 supports multi-state checks through FastBound.
NFA and Regulated Items
NFA (National Firearms Act)
The 1934 law that regulates a special class of firearms and devices, requiring registration and a tax for transfers.
Tax Stamp
Proof that the tax on making or transferring an NFA item has been paid, required before the item changes hands.
SBR and SBS (Short-Barreled Rifle and Shotgun)
Rifles and shotguns with barrels or overall lengths below set limits, regulated under the NFA.
Suppressor
A device that reduces the sound of a firearm, regulated as an NFA item.
Machine Gun
A firearm that fires more than one round per trigger pull, heavily regulated under the NFA.
AOW (Any Other Weapon)
A catch-all NFA category for certain concealable or unconventional weapons that do not fit the other classes.
Destructive Device (DD)
An NFA category covering items like certain large-bore weapons and explosive devices.
Laws, Agencies, and Operations
ATF
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the federal agency that licenses and regulates FFLs.
GCA (Gun Control Act of 1968)
The foundational federal law governing the firearms industry, including FFL licensing and the rules for transfers and records.
FFL eZ Check
The ATF's online tool for verifying the validity of another dealer's FFL before a transfer.
Curios and Relics (C&R)
Firearms of special interest to collectors because of age or historical significance, handled under specific rules.
FFL Transfer
Moving a firearm through an FFL from a seller to a buyer, including the background check and paperwork. A core service for many home-based and storefront dealers.
Consignment
Selling a firearm on behalf of its owner through an FFL, with the dealer handling the transfer and compliance.
ITAR and EAR
The federal export-control regimes that can apply to firearms, parts, and technical data leaving the United States.
2A-Friendly Payments
Payment processing built to serve lawful firearms businesses, rather than processors that drop firearms merchants over what they sell.
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