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ATF Compliance Inspection – What Do I Need to Know

Written by Orchid

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April 02, 2015

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Each year, the ATF releases its fiscal year inspection results. The findings are the result of Industry Operations Investigators’ field work. This advisory answers five key questions related to the inspection process as follows:

  1. What is an ATF Inspection (otherwise known as an ATF Compliance Inspection)?
  2. What Happens During an ATF Dealer Inspection or ATF Manufacturer Inspection?
  3. What are the Top ATF Compliance Inspection Violations?
  4. What Happens After an ATF Compliance Inspection?
  5. How Do I Pass an ATF Dealer Inspection or ATF Manufacturing Inspection?


1. WHAT IS AN ATF COMPLIANCE INSPECTION (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN FFL COMPLIANCE INSPECTION)?
In February of 2013, the ATF’s Public Affairs Division issued a fact sheet titled “FFL Compliance Inspections.” That fact sheet read, in summary:

  •  “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), pursuant to the Gun Control Act (GCA) and the Federal firearms regulations, is responsible for licensing persons engaging in a firearms business.
  • With certain exceptions, the GCA allows ATF to conduct one warrantless, annual compliance inspection of a federal firearms licensee (FFL).
  • The purpose of the inspection program is to educate the licensee about regulatory responsibilities and to evaluate the level of compliance.
  • Compliance inspections also serve to protect the public in that they promote voluntary internal controls to prevent and detect diversion of firearms from lawful commerce to the illegal market.”

The ATF’s 2014 FFL Inspection Results can be found in more detail by here.

2. WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ATF DEALER INSPECTION OR ATF MANUFACTURER INSPECTION?
“During inspections, ATF Industry Operations Investigators’ (IOIs) review records, inventory, and the licensee’s conduct of business. To assist in meeting and maintaining compliance, investigators also provide instructional and educational materials about the requirements of the law and regulations and best business practices.”

One of the major steps in the inspection is what is called a Book to Physical or “Bi-Directional Serial Number Inventory.” During this audit step, the ATF performs a tracing of serialized assets found at your facility to the Book of Acquisition and Disposition (or Bound Book). Likewise, the test is performed in the reverse direction – Serial Numbers found in the Bound Book are traced back to the physical asset. Both steps are performed to ensure that the records properly match the serialized firearms under the control of the company. To learn more about conducting a leading Bi-Directional Serial Number Inventory in advance of an ATF Inspection, read the following whitepaper called Serialized Inventory Analysis for the Firearms Industry – Ten Steps That Will Make a Difference Today.

3. WHAT ARE THE TOP ATF COMPLIANCE INSPECTION VIOLATIONS?
“Compliance failures, which constitute violations of law and regulation, commonly disclosed during the inspection process include:

  • failure to verify purchaser eligibility; inability to account for firearms received and disposed
  • failure to ensure firearms traceability due to improper recordation of firearms receipt and disposition
  • failure to properly document firearms transfers; and failure to report multiple sales of handguns.”

We recently published a more exhaustive list of the Top 10 ATF Violations for Firearm Dealers and the Top 10 ATF Violations for Firearm Manufacturers. They are conveniently located in the ATF’s 2014 FFL Inspection Results and the Appendix of the 2014 Firearms Compliance Guide.

4. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER AN ATF INSPECTION?
“When violations of the law and regulations are disclosed during an inspection, a Report of Violations is issued to the licensee that outlines the discrepancy and the requirements for corrective action. ATF also works to gain cooperation and compliance from FFLs by issuing warning letters and holding warning conferences. Despite these remedial actions, on rare occasions ATF encounters a licensee who fails to comply with the law and regulations and demonstrates a lack of commitment to improving his or her business practices. In such cases where willfulness is demonstrated, ATF’s obligation to protect public safety may require revocation of the federal firearms license.

ATF investigators assist licensees in developing corrective actions when violations are identified and encourage licensees to constructively engage in the remediation process. In this way, ATF attempts to bring licensees into compliance before it becomes necessary to take administrative action against the licensee. When an ATF inspection results in a warning conference or potential revocation, the licensee is provided an opportunity to develop a written plan that details the steps taken to correct the problems identified and measures implemented to ensure future compliance.”

5. HOW DO I PASS AN ATF DEALER INSPECTION OR ATF MANUFACTURING INSPECTION?
There is no full-proof, secret answer to ensuring that you will pass your Dealer Inspection or Manufacturing Inspection with zero violations. But there are many things you can do to decrease the likelihood of receiving a violation. The most obvious answers are: (1) know the regulations; and (2) comply with them.

The following are a few recommended steps for minimizing your FFL inspection risk.

  • Get educated on the latest in ATF Firearms Compliance. There are only a few very detailed programs available for firearm retailer compliance education and even less for firearm manufacturing compliance education. One of the most thorough programs available is called the Firearms Compliance UniversityTM. The University is available on-line and offline and is designed for every employee of every FFL in the United States. Most ATF inspection violations can be prevented with education and strong internal controls.
  • Hire an expert to help you implement good business processes. For example, Orchid Advisors has audited over 80,000,000 electronic A&D records from Firearm Dealers, Firearm Manufacturers and Firearm Importers.
  • Practice your inspections before the big day. Orchid Advisors’ ATF Consultants have been involved with ATF inspections and mock ATF inspections for years. In fact, our staff has collectively performed Mock FFL Compliance Inspections and Bi-Directional Serial Number Inventories of well over a million serialized firearms.

ATF Compliance Inspection

This photo shows your seasoned team just after completing another mock inspection of a major firearms manufacturer.

If you wish to learn more about ATF Regulations or ATF Inspection Readiness or scheduling an Orchid Advisors Mock ATF Inspection, contact us today.

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