ATF Form 4473 Middle Name Question
Posted by AssistBorn1128@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I purchased a gun today and had an issue with my middle name. It is not on my license. I put my middle name on form 4473 and was told that I couldn't have the gun until I brought in my birth certificate or social security card with my middle name. We argued a bit and I told him I didn't want to lie on a federal form. He told me I should have just left it blank and that it's just for their records. Did he tell me to lie on a federal form or does it not matter?
NUTBAG6969@reddit
You were right not to lie on the 4473, and it was ridiculous/wrong for the FFL to say you should have just left the middle name box blank. It’s a federal crime to intentionally put wrong or incomplete information on a 4473, and your middle name is needed for a proper background check.
The FFL is required to verify your identity and current residence with a government issued photo ID prior to doing the background check. If you have recently moved, or your full legal name isn’t on your ID, the FFL can use additional “government issued documents” to meet the verification requirements.
AssistBorn1128@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I understand verifying it with my birth certificate. The issue I had was omitting it. When I renew my license, I'm definitely adding my middle name.
SniperSRSRecon@reddit
you can also use car registration too, a lot of people don't know that.
Nyancide@reddit
you can also maybe bring in a title for vehicle, if you had that in the car
VegasOldPerv@reddit
Go to an FFL with at least 2 brain cells.
You lied on a state form when you got a drivers license, why does a "federal" form make that big of a difference to you?
AssistBorn1128@reddit (OP)
It isn't required on a driverse license, at least in my state. But if I leave it out on form 4473, I have to answer that I have no middle name.
VegasOldPerv@reddit
Every state I've lived in requires your full legal name.
wildraft1@reddit
Guess you haven't lived in OP's state then, huh?
Username7239@reddit
I've lived in MA and for my entire life not everybody has their whole legal name on their ID. This started becoming a requirement/the norm in the past 5 or so years.
I sell guns in MA and it's a frequent thing that gets some people worked up. Our Licenses To Carry don't even have our full legal name every time.
ryukasagi@reddit
I work at an FFL, our general rule is that if you provide more info on your 4473 than hour id, that's fine, less info would need a correction
Unicorn187@reddit
You have to put your full legal name. You should have it on your license or ID too. It doesn't matter if you use it or not, it's your legal name.
AssistBorn1128@reddit (OP)
When I get my license renewed, I'm adding my middle name. It isn't required where I am and I thought it didn't matter. Lol, I did not see this coming
DonutLord88@reddit
Yes it matters. Most states you present your birth certificate to get a real ID but can in some opt for middle initial or none on the ID. You are asked for your full legal name on a 4473. Most FFLs will let you use any government issued document as a supplement for address or middle name. Always put your full legal name on these.
minusmartin@reddit
Always just copy exactly what is on your license to avoid these things.
I never use my middle name on anything, but I did when I got my license so now I do that and have never had an issue.
DickMonkeys@reddit
Your FFL is stupid.