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What is the definition of "DROS" and how does it apply? |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 29 November 1999 16:00 |
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The DROS is the "Dealers Record of Sale" form that must be filled out each time a firearm is purchased. The DROS form completed for handgun transfers contains information about both the firearm buyer and the firearm itself (make, model, serial number, etc.). This information is used by the Department of Justice to run the criminal and mental history background check on the buyer and to register the handgun. Handgun registrations are actually done and maintained by the Department of Justice, but local law enforcement agencies have access to them 24 hours a day. The DROS form completed for rifle and shotgun transfers contains no information about these firearms and they are not registered. The "DROS fee" collected by the firearms dealer is sent to the Department of Justice along with the DROS form to pay for the Department's cost of conducting the criminal and mental history background check. By state law, the department is not allowed to charge any more than its actual costs. It is expressly prohibited from making a profit on the DROS fee. The firearms dealer is required to keep a copy of this DROS form on file for three years during which time virtually any law enforcement agency or officer can have access to it. There is, however, a prohibition against law enforcement retaining any information from the dealer's file copy. It should be noted, though, that federal law requires dealers to keep the Federal Form 4473 on file for twenty years. This 4473 form, which is completed by all firearms buyers, contains specific information about both the purchaser and the rifle, pistol, or shotgun purchased. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 10:44 |
