February 24, 1994






              OPEN LETTER TO ALL NEW YORK FIREARMS LICENSEES:


I.   Implementation of the Brady Law:  Beginning on February 28, 1994, the Brady
Law imposes a 5-day waiting period on the sale of handguns in states that do not
already require a prior background check.  ATF has determined that New York has a
permit or license system that subjects handgun purchasers to a prior background check. 
Therefore, sales made in compliance with the existing licensing check system in New
York will not be subject to the Federal waiting period procedure.  If the sale is made to
a handgun permit holder, the license and/or "purchase coupon" must have been issued
or reissued within 5 years of the date of purchase.  Regulations require that you
maintain a copy of both the license and the purchase coupon to demonstrate that a sale
was made under the state system.

II. Reporting multiple sales of handguns.  The new law also requires you to report to
ATF and to the State Police the disposition of 2 or more handguns within 5 consecutive
business days to a nonlicensee.  The regulations require that the reports are to be made
on ATF Form 3310.4, Report of Multiple Sale or Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers,
and sent no later than the close of business on the day the multiple sale or other
disposition occurs.  In reporting to the State authorities, send copy 2 of the 11/92 edition
of the form or copy 3 of the 1/94 edition to the New York State Police, Central Records,
State Campus, Building 22, Albany, New York 12226-0013.  The report to ATF must be
sent on copy 1 of the 11/92 edition or copies 1 and 2 of the 1/94 edition.

For further information, contact your local ATF office or the Firearms and Explosives   
Division at (202) 927-8300.  





                               John W. Magaw
                                 Director