They are using the 4473 to access the data as it comes through to make the background check and then store it in a database. Just because they don’t get the actual paperwork right now doesn’t matter.
Also the last time I filled out a 4473 it was done on a Dedicated Tablet not paper.
That was at Sportsmans Warehouse
I CAN GUARANTEE IT’S BEING PUT INTO A DATABASE.
The key word in your answer was ‘dedicated tablet.’ I’d just say that it is very likely only supposed to be (4473 information) kept on that dedicated tablet and that NCICs/ATF retention wrt to highly specific gun ownership data isn’t to be stored when running the NCICs check. In effect the tablet just replaces the forms 4473 that are held at the gun seller until they close, etc. But they are still probably retaining the data against the 1986 Firearms Owners Protection Act. IMO, ATF is very high up on that list of Chevron Doctrine violators.