When conducting a background check in Virginia the only information provided concerning the firearm is the type – rifle, pistol, shotgun, revolver. Nothing more. No manufacturer, caliber, or serial number.
If an unlicensed individual acquires two or more pistols or revolvers during five consecutive business days the dealer submits a Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers to the ATF and the State Police. This report includes Type firearm, serial number, manufacturer, model, importer, and caliber. It also includes the name, address sex, ethnicity, race, type of identification and ID number, birth date, and place of birth.
The ATF 4473 contains all this information and is retained by the dealer until he goes out of business. The 4473s are then sent to the ATC.
Occasionally the dealer will receive a call from ATF asking that a copy of the 4473 be sent to them. ATF provides firearm description and serial number and an estimated date the firearm was transferred. One can assume these are traces of stolen firearms or firearms found at a crime scene. Who knows.
Assume: Ass-u-me