Q: We have received some purchased suppressors with physical dashes in the serial number. We recorded them in our A&D Log & Inventory with the dash however on our NFA Registry with ATF they are missing the dash. I tried to do some research on dashes within serial numbers and found the below on http://www.atf.gov. Are we correct in recording with the dash or is ATF/NFA correct in recording without the dash? If we are correct, should we contact ATF/NFA and have the registry adjusted? Any help or insight on dashes within serial numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thank You ________________________________ Are licensed dealers required to record the dash in a serial number (if applicable)? Does participation in Access 2000 Online with the ATF National Tracing Center (NTC) have any bearing on that? Yes, licensed dealers are required to record the hyphen in a serial number, if applicable. Licensed dealers must record the acquisition of each firearm, including the serial number of each firearm. Certain firearms manufactured both within the United States (U.S.) and outside of the U.S. contain serial numbers with special characters, such as hyphens. These special characters contained within serial numbers have been designated by the manufacturer as part of their serial number scheme and are considered part of the serial number. Symbols, numbers, and/or letters found in firearm serial numbers often identify model designations and date of manufacture and may include other coded manufacturer data and are often very important to a successful trace of a crime gun https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/docs/0924-webinar-firearms-accountability-questions-and-answerspdf/download
View the answer to this and thousands of other questions in our client-only Support Center.
View Answer