Why were the regulations amended to specify who is responsible for reporting the theft or loss of a firearm in transit?

The regulations have been amended to enhance the reporting of firearms lost and stolen in transit. ATF has identified numerous occasions during the crime gun tracing process where a federal firearms licensee's (FFL) records indicate the firearm being traced has been shipped to another FFL, but the transferee/receiving FFL advises the firearm was never received; yet no theft or loss report has been filed with ATF. The absence of a theft/loss report to ATF in these circumstances adversely impacts the ability of ATF and local law enforcement to trace and investigate crime guns.

Last Reviewed July 16, 2020