The Trace and USA TODAY are investigating how the ATF inspects gun dealers and manufacturers.
This interactive database consists of detailed inspection reports of gun industry businesses that were inspected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives between 2015 and 2017. It includes only businesses that were cited for violations.
If you're new to the project, read the investigation and data methodology to learn more.
Heath, Ralph Gerald
Metal Werk
Warning letterThis gun dealer was cited for 9 violations. The inspection resulted in a 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.
Address
1051 Bronwood Highway
Dawson, GA 39842
Terrell County
License
Number | 1-58-273-01-8F-01678 |
Type | Dealer in firearms |
Expiry | Jun 1, 2021 |
Inspection Timeline
Compliance inspections are conducted by one or more ATF officers. After the lead investigator submits a recommendation, one or more ATF supervisors will review the inspection and either concur with or adjust the recommendation.
This page contains information about a single inspection conducted between 2015 and 2017. The ATF may have inspected this licensee before and/or after the inspection detailed here.
Officers spent a total of 39 hours conducting this inspection. 87 days passed between the assignment and the final review. The licensee received a final outcome of warning letter.
Hover over underlined text to see definitions of common terms.
Conduct compliance inspection in accordance with current guidelines. *** Please check for possible hidden ownership.
A total of 9 violations were cited during the inspection, none of which were repeat violations. The following 5 violations warran Administrative Action according to ATF O 5370.1 B: #1. Licensee failed to execute an ATF Form 4473 prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee in redacted instance. This violation involved the transfer of redacted The licensee explained that he was unaware that an ATF Form 4473 must be completed redacted A background check the transferee was completed by redacted This violation warrants a Warning Conference according to ATF O 5370.1B. #2. Licensee failed to conduct the required NICS background check prior to completing the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee in redacted instance. According to the licensee, the transferee is the Investigator redacted of the licensee and is a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Investigator redacted conducted a background check on the transferee during the inspection and found no prohibiting information. This violation warrants a Warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B #3. Licensee failed to complete and submit ATF Form 3310.4 in redacted instances when required. This instance involved redacted handguns and the licensee completed corrective actions during the inspection by submitting the Multiple Sale Form. This violation warrants a Warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B. #4. Licensee failed to create and maintain a complete and record of Acquisition & Disposition in redacted instances. redacted in inventory at the time of inspection had no acquisition entry in the A&D record redacted was transferred during the inspection period without recording the acquisition & disposition entries in the A&D record The licensee explained that he did not know he was required to record A&D entries redacted in the A&D record. This violation warrants a Warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B. #6. Licensee failed to obtain complete and accurate information from the transferee in Section A of 4 ATF Forms 4473. These redacted instances represent 10% of the forms completed during the inspection period. This violation warrants a Warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B. This was the licensee's third compliance inspection, and the licensee has not previously been cited for any violations. According to ATF O 5370.1B, a Warning Conference is warranted for Violation #1. Based on the considerations noted above, Investigator redacted alternatively recommends the issuance of a Warning Letter only, with no recall inspection.
A total of 9 violations were cited during the inspection, none of which were repeat violations. The following 5 violations warrant Administrative Action according to ATF O 5370.1B: #1. Licensee failed to execute an ATF Form 4473 prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee in redacted instance. This violation involved the transfer of redacted The licensee explained that he was unaware that an ATF Form 4473 must be completed redacted A background check of the transferee was completed by the redacted This violation warrants a Warning Conference according to ATF O 5370.1B. #2. Licensee failed to conduct the required NICS background check prior to completing the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee in redacted instance. According to the licensee, the transferee is the redacted of the licensee and is a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Investigator redacted conducted a background check on the transferee during the inspection and found no prohibiting information. This violation warrants a Warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B #3. Licensee failed to complete and submit ATF Form 3310.4 in redacted instances when required. This instance involved redacted handguns and the licensee completed corrective actions during the inspection by submitting the Multiple Sale Form. This violation warrants a warning Letter according to ATF O 5370.1B. I have reviewed the inspection report and the recommendation of the IOI. This is the third inspection for the FFL and this was the first inspection where the FFL was cited for any violations. The FFL was cooperative and open to learning from this inspection to correct the violations from happening again. Based on the inspection results and the recommendation of the IOI, I concur with the alternate recommendation for Viols ; WL Only and No Recall Inspection.
DIO concurs with recommendation of a WL Only and no Recall Investigation
Violations
If an inspection uncovers regulatory violations, the licensee receives a report outlining these violations. This section lists the violations found in the inspection, as well as a general description of each offense. More details on the nature of the licensee's specific violations may be found in the report PDF.
This licensee was cited for 9 violations.
Citation | Description | |
---|---|---|
478.124(a) | Failure to record the transfer of a firearm on a Form 4473. 🔗 | |
478.102(a)(1) | Failure to contact NICS before completing a firearm transfer. 🔗 | |
478.126a | Failure to report the sale of two or more pistols or revolvers to an individual during five consecutive business days. 🔗 | |
478.125(e) | Failure by a dealer to properly maintain a record of the receipt and disposition of firearms. 🔗 | |
478.124(c)(3)(iv) | Failure to record the date NICS was contacted and the NICS response on Form 4473. 🔗 | |
478.124(c)(1) | Failure to obtain a Form 4473 showing the transferee's name, sex, address, date and place of birth, and other required information. 🔗 | |
478.21(a) | Failure to provide all of the information called for in required forms. 🔗 | |
478.131(a)(2) | Failure to retain a copy of a purchaser's permit or license for a background check-exempt transaction. 🔗 | |
478.124(c)(5) | Failure of the licensee to sign or date a Form 4473. 🔗 |
Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. About the data »