In VA, the only thing that gets transmitted to the State Police for the background check is name, birth date, place of birth, ss#, height, weight, and type of gun (pistol, rifle, shotgun)
No model or serial number info.
Form 4473 is retained by the FFL until they close their business.
The ATF can and has come in a copied forms, but not in mass quantities necessary for a registry.
Almost accurate.
ATF DOES find excuses to copy FFL records, much more convenient now that most dealers with significant sales volume use computerized records.
ATF examiners carry flash drives for this purpose.