This year at SHOT Show University (SSU), the premier educational event for the firearms retailer, NSSF will be a hosting a number of educational tracks to meet the needs of all retailers, no matter their experience or market focus. There are four tracks scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13. The tracks include: ATF Compliance, Retail Operations, Range Operations, and Marketing. Attendees of SSU can jump from one track to another, allowing them the ability to attend the classes of most importance.
The ATF Compliance seminars are hosted by two former Deputy Assistant Directors of the ATF, Wally Nelson and Harry McCabe. During their 30 plus years with ATF, both men have conducted and overseen literally thousands of inspections of firearms retailers. Their knowledge and expertise of ATF regulations are unmatched, and they are strong supporters of the second amendment and our industry. In short, they are here to help ensure your store is in compliance and stays that way.
The first session will cover the 4473 in great detail since 80% of all ATF findings, during an inspection are from errors on the 4473 form. This seminar will feature best practice approaches to error-proofing your 4473 forms, why the information is needed on the form and if an error does occur, and the proper method for correcting it.
The Acquisition and Disposition book (A&D) is the subject of the next session. Similar to the first class, our goal is to help identify common issues, minimize mistakes, offer best practices, and provide the reasoning and logic behind the record keeping requirements of the A&D Book. Our experience has been that understanding why the information is needed and how the ATF and law enforcement use the information is a powerful tool for your compliance program.
The next session covers the ins and outs of taking inventory similar to the ATF. This critical component of your compliance regime cannot be overstated. A physical inventory of your firearms is the only way you can be certain that your record is accurate and your inventory is up-to-date. It also lets your employees know that you are checking their work and will help reduce the risk of internal theft. Learn the model that the ATF uses to ensure your inventory is correct and no firearms are missing.
As the front line of the industry, retailers play a key role in preventing straw purchases. This class will explain a number of the common scenarios that criminals employ to commit straw purchase, plus ways to deter and thwart their efforts. Help protect your store’s reputation and the industry by maximizing your efforts to reduce the chances that a firearm will get into the wrong person’s hands.
The final session of the day covers the ATF inspection process. With the influx of new FFL holders into our booming industry, a large number of the retailers we meet have never been through an ATF inspection. Our team will walk the attendees through the inspection process, provide them with the information that they need to provide the ATF during the inspection, and provide tips on how to make the inspection run as smooth as possible.
These classes are designed to help you get into compliance, stay in compliance and allow you the peace of mind to focus on serving your customer and becoming a world class retailer.
Patrick Shay is Director of Retailer Development for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.