Armed ATF Agents Show up at Gun Owner’s Home Unannounced, to Inspect Lawfully Purchased Guns – Opinion

Remember the claim from the ATF — that no one is coming for your weapons and no one is keeping track of your weapons? Maybe they are.

According to the Gun Control Act of 1958, several sections allow ATF to unannouncely show up at your house and ask you to inspect the firearms that were just purchased. Although I was aware of the provision that allows for an unannounced inspection for NFA licensees under the 1934 National Firearms Act (ATF may show up at your door once per year for inspections of premises), the feds need a reason. A warrant signed by the judge is required. Your 4 statutory rights are still available.^ThAn NFT does not grant you the right to amend your license. Gun Control Act only applies to Federal Firearms Licensees FFLs. Inspection of records, firearms, or premises does not apply to private homes. This, however, will require a warrant.

ATF could, and probably will, still show up at firearm owners’ private homes and request to view their firearms. If this seems out of a dystopian novel or the fevered dreams of Biden nominees, you’d be wrong. This happened in Delaware according to an exclusive report by Armed American News. Law-abiding people can get flustered if men wearing badges or guns approach them with questions. You might be intimidated if more than a dozen armed men approach your home and demand to see your guns.

In Delaware, an individual had local cops and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents show up at his home recently. He’s a law abiding gun owner, not a suspected criminal. Of course, all the agents and cops were armed. ATF demanded to see the weapons. He owned multiple guns and had purchased a lot of firearms since 2020. ATF didn’t have a warrant; they just had a list of his firearm purchases, and they wanted to see the guns he purchased.

Watch it below or here on Twitter.

VIDEO: ATF conducts surprise firearm inspection at gun owner’s home without search warrant. @aarmark @eb454 @2AFDN @CCRKBArms @TheGunFeed @FloridaCarryInc #Delaware #ATF #WarOnGuns https://t.co/jw6VxN9cqO

— Lee Williams (@HT_GunWriter) July 18, 2022

I didn’t know that this process was part the Gun Control Act, but it is. For example, if you buy more than one handgun at once, your FFL must submit an ATF form. You’re then on a list, and the ATF might show up at your door with a list, asking to see your weapons. ATF might ask to see proof of your purchases for three reasons.

1. Tracking: The ATF can ask questions if your legal gun is stolen and used for a crime. It seems quite reasonable.
2. Investigating multiple gun purchases. This is exactly what Delaware did. AFT came to his house after the FFL had filed the paperwork.
3. Conducting a welfare inspection. If you thought “Red Flags” were new, they are not.

If ATF arrives at your house with the local police in tow do you need to allow them into your home? A warrant is not required. If they do have one, you will be required to give them a copy. You will need to give them proof of the weapon you own. You don’t have to show them the weapons you bought without a warrant. The warrant must also contain specificity.

The Delaware owner took the “I have nothing to hide” route and for him, it was the right route to take. The agents were respectful and didn’t demand to see more than one weapon. They didn’t demand to enter the residence, and they left, satisfied.

Bottom line, if you purchase more than one gun at a time, don’t be surprised if ATF shows up at your door.