The 4473 is not for background checks, the form predated the background check system. Information on the form is used for the background check, but that's not the purpose of the form. The form establishes a chain of custody for a particular firearm by it's serial number. The serial number is recorded by the manufacturer when it's sold to the wholesaler, the wholesaler when it's sold to the dealer, and the dealer when it's sold to an individual.
As stated above, the 4473 has to be kept for a minimum of twenty years by the FFL holder or when he goes out of business, then it has to be sent to the ATF for filing.
Here's the reason it's a system of registration: ANY time the BATFE approaches the FFL holder and requests access to his form 4473's he is required to give them access. That essentially means that all the information on who bought a particular firearm is available to the government. If a firearm is found at a crime scene the ATF goes to the manufacturer with the serial number, they name the wholesaler it was sold to who then names the dealer it was sold to and an agent shows up at his doorstep demanding to see the form 4473 to see who bought it. The dealer legally can't refuse to turn over the form.
That's a registration scheme. Sure, it's more cumbersome than having all that information in a computer database at the fingertips of the ATF, but other than an agent physically having to go to the gun dealer and demand the form 4473 it's no different, the information is still available on demand to the government. Now where that breaks down is as of right now sales between individuals aren't required to be reported to the government so the "registration" ends with the individual that first bought it from the FFL dealer. That's why the leftists are so hell bent on ending the "gun show loophole" which isn't about gun shows and isn't a loophole, what they really want to do is end sales between private individuals without going through a dealer so it can be catalogued thus effectively being registered.
I agree. The fact that the make, model and ser number are included on the 4473 means they aren't just checking to see if you are a "prohibited person" or not. If that was the case, my CCW should allow me to skip the form. As was stated, the form precedes NICS. They want your name tied to that ser number.
Rare for them to come to the door anymore, they just call or email for a “Forward Trace Request” and you had better have the information PDQ.
Or expect a “Compliance Inspection” going back to your first day of business.
It’s one way they put the screws to FFL’s, you cannot make a living while being “Inspected” and they may take as long as they like.