All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) should take immediate notice of the April 14, 2011, letter that Ruger has issued regarding the recording of Ruger serial numbers in your Acquisition and Disposition books. Effective immediately, all dealers MUST include the ”-” that exists in the serial number of Ruger firearms.
As many dealer are aware, Ruger uses a two or three digit prefix, followed by a dash, and then a five digit number. EX: 123-45678. Previously, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) requested that the ”-” not be included in the barcode, as it affected the ATF’s tracing program, known as Access 2000.
Apparently last year, Ruger received a letter from ATF Headquarters informing them that ATF considers the ”-” to be part of the serial number and MUST be included in a FFL’s A&D books. As such, Ruger has taken corrective action by including the dash in their barcodes and informed their dealers to include the dash in their A&D books. Ruger has further advised that if you have a compliance inspection, where the Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) raises concern over your existing A&D entries and/or the barcode on the Ruger firearm case, to show a copy of Ruger’s letter to the IOI. If that is not sufficient, you shou;d respectfully request that your IOI contact Ruger with any issues.
Published by Joshua Prince, Esq.
With our 2nd Amendment rights being attacked at both the Federal and State level, and the ATF (Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) trying to close down FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) for minor infractions while making FFLs the scapegoat when the ATF's records are inaccurate, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am one of only a handful of attorneys across the US that practices in the niche area of law known as firearms law. I decided to concentrate my legal practice on firearms law not only because I am a shooter and firearms enthusiast, but also to ensure that our inalienable Right to Keep and Bear Arms is never encroached upon.
I handle cases at the Federal and State level for both FFLs and individuals. At the federal and state levels for individuals, I actively defend the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 21 of the PA Constitution, as well as, help individuals with:
- License to Carry Firearms Denials;
- Challenges to Erroneous PICS Denials;
- Relief from Firearms Disabilities;
- Estate Planning Advice;
- Gun/NFA Trusts; and
- 42 USC 1983 Actions for Deprivation of Civil Rights
At both the state and federal levels, I represent FFLs and SOTs throughout Pennsylvania and the US regarding:
- ATF Compliance Inspections;
- Warning Letters and Hearings;
- FFL Revocations;
- Corporate Structure Advice
- Indoor/Outdoor Range Implementation; and
- Forfeiture Proceedings
In following my love for firearms and firearms law, I have taught several Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on Firearms in Estates and Trusts and Firearms Law 101 for several Bar Associations, including Berks, Cumberland, and Dauphin Counties. I also planned and taught several Firearms in Estates CLE classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI).
While at Widener Law School, I was a member of the Widener Law Journal. I wrote an article on the Inaccuracy of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). I also had an article published on Fee Disputes in Workers Compensation cases in the Widener Law Journal, Volume 18, No. 2.
You can often find me posting on several internet forums, including Subguns, Uzitalk, AR15, and PAFOA. I also hold PA Firearms Law classes for local ranges to inform the public on the firearm laws of the Commonwealth.
Following in my father's footsteps, I am also a Board member for the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL).
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