ATF proposes fixed retention periods for certain firearm records

ATF proposed replacing indefinite retention of specified FFL acquisition-and-disposition records and National Tracing Center records with a fixed period, considering either 20 or 30 years. It also proposed shorter retention for forms used in certain private-party transfers or voluntary firearm-handler checks. No record should be destroyed based on this proposal alone; it is not a final retention rule. Comments closed August 4, 2026.

Source: Federal Register / ATF