IG, EG Associates Increase Knowledge of Firearms Sales Regulations at FBI-Hosted Retailer Event

A top priority for the Exchange is ensuring public safety and compliance with federal and state firearm laws and regulations during firearms sales transactions.

From left, Paul Martinez, Exchange Assistant Inspector General III; Arnell Turner, Senior Industry Operations Investigator for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Sheldon Richburg, Exchange Firearm Program Specialist at the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Retailer Day event in San Antonio.

As part of the organization’s efforts to ensure proper firearm oversight and policy compliance, two headquarters associates, Sheldon Richburg/Executive Group-Firearm Program Specialist and Paul Martinez/Inspector General-Assistant Inspector General III, were invited to attend a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Retailer Day event hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Service Division in San Antonio, Texas.

The collaborative event provided specialized training on several aspects of firearms retail operations, including industry best practice and compliance requirements with firearm laws, such as the Gun Control Act (GCA) and the National Firearms Act (NFA). Agencies in attendance included the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

The training was designed to inform industry leaders about regulatory standards to help ensure public safety through strict regulations adherence. The event included a presentation by NSSF on Operation Secure Store, “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy,” and information on suicide prevention.

The Exchange shares NSSF’s focus on the prevention of “straw purchases.” A straw purchase occurs when an actual firearm buyer who would not pass a background check uses another person to make the purchase. If a customer does not pass a background check, the Exchange automatically denies the sale and the transaction is terminated. Exchange firearm associates are trained to identify straw purchase behaviors and know when it is appropriate to terminate a firearm sale.

Armel Turner, ATF-Senior Industry Operations Investigator, provided regulatory support and guidance to industry members. Turner also reviewed valuable training on how to pass a firearm compliance inspection; proper completion of the ATF Form 4473 (a six-page Firearms Transaction Record that must be completed during every firearm sale); and specific state and local regulations.

During the presentation, attendees also learned emerging firearms trends and the top compliance violations discovered during ATF compliance inspections. Exchange program specialists and IG staff analyze inspection reports for trends and areas of opportunity. EG publishes helpful monthly firearms messages and top inspection findings based on the data in the MD portal.

Eric Moore, FBI-NICS Liaison Specialist, explained the NICS background process and described recent and future enhancements. NICS is a national background check that was created by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Law) of 1993. It is Exchange policy and best practice to conduct a NICS background check on every customer before the sale of a firearm to ensure they are not prohibited from obtaining a firearm. Exchange firearm associates record results of the background check ATF Form 4473 and archived records as required by law.

If there are questions regarding the policy change, associates are encouraged to contact one of the Exchange’s firearm program specialists (Oliver Westphal, westphalo@aafes.com, or Sheldon Richburg, richburgs@aafes.com) for guidance.

The knowledge and information gained during the event is critical to maintain the level of oversight required for a firearms program. Continual partnerships between EG and IG establishes a cohesive relationship to ensure public safety and compliance remain a top priority.