SHORT ANSWER: Usually NO (except NFA items)
FEDERAL LEVEL
- NO federal gun registration in the United States
- The government does NOT maintain a database of gun owners
- Form 4473 stays with the FFL dealer (not sent to government)
- Only NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, etc.) are federally registered
STATE LEVEL VARIES
STATES WITH NO REGISTRATION
- Kentucky (where we're located) - NO registration required
- Most states have no registration requirements
- You can buy, own, and carry without registering
STATES WITH REGISTRATION
- California: Handgun registration
- Connecticut: "Assault weapons" registration
- Hawaii: All firearms registration
- New York: "Assault weapons" registration
- A few others with specific requirements
WHAT IS TRACKED
- Form 4473: Stays with the FFL dealer that transferred the firearm to you
- NICS check: Records the check, not the gun
- NFA items: Suppressors, SBRs federally registered
- Concealed carry permits: Some states track these
COMMON MYTHS
- "ATF keeps records of all gun sales" - FALSE
- "NICS creates a gun registry" - FALSE
- "All guns are registered somewhere" - FALSE
IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE
- Check that state's laws
- Some states require registration of guns brought in
- California and Hawaii have strict requirements
- Most states have no additional requirements
NFA ITEMS ARE DIFFERENT
- Suppressors, SBRs, machine guns ARE registered
- ATF Form 4 creates federal registration
- No $200 tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, or AOWs as of January 1, 2026 (machine guns and destructive devices still require it)
- These are tracked by serial number
BOTTOM LINE
- In Kentucky: No registration needed
- Regular firearms: No government database
- Only special NFA items are registered
- Check your state laws if you move
Questions about your state? We cannot provide legal advice, but we can answer shipping questions for your state through the contact form at www.thegundock.com/live/contact.php.