What is an A&D book and do I legally need one?

An A&D book — Acquisition and Disposition record — is a federal requirement for all FFL holders. It must log every firearm that enters your inventory (acquisition) and every firearm that leaves (disposition), regardless of how. ATF requires this record to be...

Can I keep my A&D book digitally instead of on paper?

Yes. ATF allows electronic A&D records as long as they meet specific requirements — including the ability to produce a printed copy on demand during an inspection. Not all software meets these requirements, so confirm that any system you use explicitly states it...

What happens during an ATF inspection of my gun shop?

An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will arrive — sometimes unannounced — and request your A&D book, 4473s, and physical inventory for cross-referencing. They will check that every firearm in your possession has an acquisition entry, every sold firearm has...

How long do I have to keep 4473 forms?

ATF requires FFLs to retain completed 4473s for 20 years. When an FFL goes out of business, all 4473s and A&D records must be submitted to the ATF National Tracing Center. Digital storage makes long-term retention easier and protects records against physical loss...