Form 4473: Handgun vs. Long Gun — What Changes on the Form

Form 4473 applies to every over-the-counter firearm transfer at a licensed dealer. But the type of firearm being transferred changes how certain fields are completed. Understanding these differences is essential for avoiding errors that show up during ATF audits.

Question 24 — Firearm Type

Section A, Question 24 asks the dealer to identify the type of firearm being transferred. The categories are: handgun, long gun (rifle or shotgun), other firearm, and framed/receiver. Each box carries compliance implications beyond just the label.

For handguns, you must also complete the caliber/gauge field and confirm the buyer is at least 21 years old. For long guns, the minimum age is 18 — but out-of-state buyers trigger additional requirements that don't apply to handguns.

Age Requirements by Firearm Type

The minimum age for a handgun transfer is 21. For long guns, it's 18. This affects Question 21a, where the buyer certifies their eligibility. If the buyer's date of birth on the form would make them under 21 for a handgun transfer, the form cannot proceed. A buyer who is 19 can legally purchase a long gun but not a handgun from a licensed dealer.

Out-of-State Buyers

For long gun transfers, an out-of-state buyer is eligible as long as the transfer complies with the laws of both the dealer's state and the buyer's home state. For handguns, the buyer must be a resident of the state where the dealer is located. Out-of-state buyers cannot purchase handguns directly from an FFL in another state — the transfer must go through an FFL in their home state.

This distinction affects Question 26b, where residency is verified, and Question 21i, which asks about state residency for handgun transfers specifically.

Multiple Sales Reporting

ATF Form 3310.4 is required when the same buyer purchases two or more handguns from the same dealer within five consecutive business days. This requirement does not apply to long gun purchases. Dealers need to track handgun sales specifically to catch these triggers — long gun volume doesn't count toward the 3310.4 threshold.

NFA Items

Short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns are long guns by design but are regulated as NFA items. On the Form 4473, the appropriate long gun category should be checked in addition to checking "other firearm" in some circumstances. The specific rules for NFA items on the 4473 depend on whether the item is being transferred by a licensed dealer or a private party through a dealer.

What to Check Every Time

Before any transfer, confirm that Question 24 matches the actual firearm, that the buyer's age is appropriate for the firearm type, and that out-of-state buyer rules are followed correctly for long guns. For handguns, confirm state residency. For any transfer where the buyer is under 21, confirm they are purchasing a long gun and not a handgun.