ATF plans on-line gun inspection data

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. agency that checks on licensed gun dealers is introducing an electronic form expected to make inspections easier and prevent errors, officials say.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it conducts about 11,000 inspections of licensed gun dealers a year and finds thousands of violators, often for very minor problems.

Acting ATF Director Michael Sullivan, who announced the change at an Upper Marlboro, Md., gun shop, said the most common cause of violations are illegible and incomplete answers and correcting that has long been an industry priority, The Washington Post reported.

Under the new plan, gun buyers and dealers instead of filling out the required ATF paperwork by hand will be able to complete an on-line electronic version of the document known as Form 4473.

Officials, who call it a fail-safe operation, emphasized, however, that the use of the new software is voluntary, the Post said.