Inspection Reports by Outcome

The majority of firearms licensees inspected by the ATF receive no penalty. When inspectors do identify violations, they can issue a variety of penalties ranging from a mailed warning letter to revocation of the license. Read on for definitions and data on each of these inspection outcomes.

Revocation/denial of renewal

A final disposition of revocation/denial of renewal means that ATF officials concluded the dealer must lose its license. This requires a determination that the licensee wilfully violated regulations or is otherwise ineligible to remain in business. The licensee will either have their license revoked after a specified period of time, or be unable to renew their license once it expires.

In this database, 56 licensees, or 3 percent of the total, received a final outcome of revocation/denial of renewal.

Proprietor City State Violations
Emmaus PA 1
Clark, Daniel Lee
Anything Pawn
Radcliff KY 13
Mavf, LLC
111 Gun Shop
Louisville KY 12
SCFS Enterprises LLC
Sharky's Firearms
Apache Junction AZ 17
West Monroe LA 0
Settlement

When a licensee is found to have committed violations that meet the threshold for revocation, an ATF director of industry operations can negotiate a settlement instead, such as a temporary suspension or a fine.

In this database, 6 licensees, or 0.3 percent of the total, received a final outcome of settlement.

Proprietor City State Violations
717 Enterprise, LLC
717 Supply / Alpha Arms
Phoenix AZ 9
Traverse City MI 16
Oleg, LLC
Zero Hour Arms
Easton MA 17
Sarasota FL 7
Thurman, Isaac R.
Berts Hunting Supplies
Hudson FL 14
Warning conference

A warning conference is held when a licensee has significant or repeat violations. During the conference, an area supervisor offers the licensee specific guidance on how to achieve compliance.

In this database, 83 licensees, or 4 percent of the total, received a final outcome of warning conference.

Proprietor City State Violations
Franklin Park IL 7
Westerville OH 7
Philadelphia PA 2
Van Buren AR 14
Little Rock AR 9
Warning letter

A warning letter is the least severe action the ATF can take against a licensee with compliance issues. The letter advises the licensee to comply with regulations.

In this database, 1,774 licensees, or 92 percent of the total, received a final outcome of warning letter.

Proprietor City State Violations
Yoakum TX 8
Herb's Trading Company, LLC
Herb's Trading Company
Summerville GA 9
Advance NC 3
Roy Lynn Eicher
Hunters Den Of Ohio
Amelia OH 6
Venegas Ventures, LLC
The Gun Stash
Miami FL 6
Surrendered/out of business

Licensees may opt to voluntary surrender their license and go out of business rather than face a penalty from the ATF. This outcome can occur regardless of the severity of the penalty faced by the licensee.

In this database, 5 licensees, or 0.3 percent of the total, received a final outcome of surrendered/out of business.

Proprietor City State Violations
Bricco, Craig G
1st Class Firearms
Zion IL 12
Manteno IL 3
Clarksville TN 13
Sun Prairie WI 9
Michael Leblanc
Hunters Outpost
Prescott AZ 14
Revocation warranted

The majority of licensees whose violations merit revocation under ATF guidelines ultimately receive a lesser penalty from an ATF director of industry operations. This category includes inspections for which the report indicates that the final outcome was granted in lieu of revocation.

In this database, 82 licensees, or 4 percent of the total, were found eligible for revocation but received a lesser penalty.

Proprietor City State Violations
717 Enterprise, LLC
717 Supply / Alpha Arms
Phoenix AZ 9
Bumgarner, Ronnie Eugene
Ron's Gun Shop
Millers Creek NC 1
Westerville OH 7
Philadelphia PA 2
Little Rock AR 9

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. About the data »