That Time the ATF Knocked, Five Years After a Legal Sale

Drew McDermott
Aug 25
3 min read

The Backstory: A Legal Sale at First

A few years ago, a customer purchased an Auto-Ordnance Thompson from MDRF Enterprises. Everything was by the book: ATF Form 4473 completed, identification verified, and the firearm transferred through our Federal Firearms License (FFL). The buyer was a World War II enthusiast who had admired the Thompson for years.

About a year later, he decided to sell it privately. He sold the Thompson to someone he knew from his neighborhood barber shop. The buyer seemed trustworthy, shared his WWII interest, and lived locally. They agreed on a cash price. No paperwork. No background check. No licensed transfer.

A Federal Firearms License (FFL) allows licensed dealers to legally transfer, sell, or consign firearms while complying with all ATF background checks and paperwork requirements. The original sale went through our FFL. The second one did not.

As a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, MDRF Enterprises follows strict ATF requirements for transfers, sales, and consignments. The first sale went through our FFL. The second one did not.

When Things Fall Apart

At first, the new owner kept the Thompson as a display piece. But life unraveled. He lost his job, fell into addiction, and began trading off his possessions. The Thompson was one of the first things to go.

Eventually, the gun surfaced at a crime scene. It wasn’t used in the crime, but it was present. That was enough for federal agents to initiate a firearm trace request.

A firearm trace request is an official inquiry by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to identify the history of a gun found at a crime scene. Traces typically begin with the original sale and follow the chain of custody through licensed dealers and private owners.

“Selling a gun legally doesn’t erase your name from the story. The trace can still lead back to you.”

What Happens During a Trace

A firearm trace request is an official inquiry by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to identify the history of a gun found at a crime scene. Traces start with the original FFL sale and follow the chain of custody.

In this case, the serial number matched our records. We pulled the Form 4473, confirmed the buyer’s information, and submitted the paperwork as required. For us, the process ended there.

For our customer, it didn’t.

Why Private Gun Sales Come Back to Haunt You

The ATF showed up at his door. He had no paperwork to prove he no longer owned the Thompson. He wasn’t charged, but he was questioned, documented, and shaken.

Under Missouri law, private firearm sales are legal. But when you sell without a background check or transfer record, your name stays tied to that gun. If it’s ever misused, stolen, or linked to a crime, the ATF will still come knocking.

The Risks of Private Sales:

No background check means you could be seen as responsible.
No transfer record leaves you exposed to legal or civil risk.
The original seller can be investigated or flagged.
Ignorance of federal law is not a defense.

What I Tell Every Gun Owner Now

If you want to sell a firearm, use a licensed dealer. We log every transfer, run background checks, and give you legal protection a private sale cannot provide. Without that documentation, your name stays attached in every traceable database.

The person you trust today could be in trouble tomorrow. If that gun turns up in the wrong place, you may still be the one the ATF contacts.

If You’re Not Sure What to Do with a Firearm

Whether you inherited a gun, are downsizing a collection, or need to remove firearms from an estate, MDRF Enterprises can help. We handle legal firearm transfers in Missouri and provide discreet, compliant service throughout the Saint Louis area.

👉 Learn more about selling or transferring firearms legally.

We’ve also answered more of these questions in our Estate Firearm FAQ for Professionals, including key guidance for attorneys, fiduciaries, and liquidators who want to avoid costly compliance mistakes.