Firearms Compliance

Electronic Gun Log & ATF Bound Book

Flag an item as a firearm and PawnSmarts records every required field automatically — pawns, purchases, sales and transfers — in ATF Form 5300.5 format, with Form 4473 at redemption.

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A pawn shop gun log is the record a federal firearms licensee keeps of every firearm that enters or leaves the business — pawned, purchased, sold or transferred — capturing the manufacturer, serial number, model, caliber, source and receiver that the ATF Bound Book (ATF Form 5300.5 format) requires. An electronic gun log records those fields automatically as part of normal transaction entry instead of a hand-written paper book that invites error and gaps in an audit. PawnSmarts captures every required data point the moment a transaction is created; the gun log, ATF Bound Book and Form 4473 at redemption are part of the Professional plan ($129/month, or $2,995 one time).

Check one box. When an item is flagged as a gun during entry, the gun-transaction data is added to the log automatically — no separate form, no double entry, nothing to forget. The firearm appears in inventory and in the electronic log at the same time.

ATF Form 5300.5 format

The PawnSmarts gun log is structured to match ATF Form 5300.5 (Report of Firearms Transactions). Every required field is captured during normal transaction entry. The log records:

ATF compliance reminder. Shop owners are responsible for knowing the laws governing firearms recordkeeping — refer to Records Required For Firearms Licensees published by the ATF. PawnSmarts support can answer questions about the software but cannot interpret law, as that would be legal advice.

Transaction types covered

Pawns

When a gun is accepted as collateral and flagged as a firearm, PawnSmarts records all required gun-log fields automatically. The gun appears in inventory and in the log at once. View pawned guns via Reports → Pawns → check Guns.

Purchases (Buy Outright)

Firearms bought outright from individuals or dealers log the same way. Use the Buy Outright transaction and check Item Is a Gun. Dealers must have an FFL# in their client record.

Transfers & Sales

Disposal dates and receiver information are captured when a pawned gun is sold or a purchased firearm changes hands. The log tracks both the receipt side and the disposal side, including the receiver's FFL# or date of birth.

Entering a gun — step by step

A client record must exist before a gun can be entered. From client setup through entry and verification:

  1. Open the new-item screen for a new or existing client.
  2. Enter the item description (kept short to fit report columns and small labels — consistent abbreviations help).
  3. Add a category, details, model and serial number.
  4. Check Item Is a Gun. This activates the firearm-specific fields and drop-downs.
  5. Use the drop-downs to select brand, action, barrel and finish.
  6. Capture a photo of the firearm from the device camera (optional but recommended).
  7. Save. The gun is added to inventory and to the electronic gun log simultaneously.
Verifying the entry. To confirm the gun was added, open the inventory view and filter to today's records. To list all firearms, go to Reports → Inventory and check Is Firearm.

Client records for gun transactions

Licensed Firearms Dealer

On the new-client form, check Licensed Firearms Dealer. The first ID type switches from Driver's License to FFL # — enter the dealer's FFL number. Use Buy Outright to purchase guns from the dealer.

Individual Customer

Complete the same form but leave Licensed Firearms Dealer unchecked. The ID type stays Driver's License. Accuracy matters — the gun log is a legal record and data must be correct at the time of entry.

Your Shop as Dealer

To sell your own guns through the system, create a client record for your shop as a dealer with your FFL number, then sell to the shop using Buy Outright so the inventory flows through the gun log correctly.

Gun log reports

Gun Log Report

Go to Reports → Gun Log for a print-preview formatted to ATF Form 5300.5. Print on paper or save to PDF — the layout fits all required columns onto a standard sheet.

All Data Option

By default the log shows transactions since you last viewed it. Turn on All Data in settings to include every gun transaction regardless of when the log was last opened.

Inventory & Pawn Filters

Filter the inventory report to guns only by brand, action, barrel, finish, caliber, category, hold status and date ranges — turning your gun inventory into a searchable database.

Key benefits at a glance

Important disclaimer. This page describes software features only and is not legal advice. Federal and state firearms recordkeeping laws change. Always confirm your practices satisfy current requirements with the ATF, your state agency and qualified legal counsel.

Related compliance features

The gun log works alongside the rest of PawnSmarts compliance: police reporting, LEADS Online export and OFAC checks. See the overview of what pawn shop software does and your state's rules in the US licensing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pawn shop gun log?

A pawn shop gun log is the record a federal firearms licensee keeps of every firearm pawned, purchased, sold or transferred, capturing the manufacturer, serial number, model, caliber, action, source and receiver required by the ATF Bound Book in ATF Form 5300.5 format. An electronic gun log records those fields automatically during normal transaction entry rather than in a hand-written book. PawnSmarts includes the electronic gun log on the Professional plan at $129/month.

Does the PawnSmarts gun log satisfy ATF recordkeeping requirements?

The log is formatted to match ATF Form 5300.5 and captures all fields required for firearms transaction records — manufacturer, serial number, model, caliber, action, source, receiver and FFL/DOB. PawnSmarts cannot make legal representations about compliance; confirm your use satisfies current ATF requirements with qualified counsel or the ATF directly.

Which plan includes the gun log?

The electronic gun log, ATF Bound Book and Form 4473 at redemption are part of the Professional plan ($129/month, or $2,995 one time). When "Item Is a Gun" is checked during entry, the data is recorded automatically.

Can I view guns logged before the last time I opened the report?

Yes. Turn on the All Data option and the log displays all recorded transactions instead of only those added since the last viewing.

What if I forget to check "Item Is a Gun"?

The item saves to inventory but won't appear in the gun log. Edit the record, check the box and complete the firearm fields. Accuracy at the time of entry is essential — the gun log is a legal record.

How do I record a gun I'm selling from my own inventory?

Create a client record for your shop as a dealer with your FFL number, then use Buy Outright to sell the gun from your inventory to the shop. This routes the transaction through the gun log correctly.

Can I print the gun log as a PDF?

Yes. From the print-preview, choose a PDF destination. The layout fits all ATF Form 5300.5 columns onto a standard sheet at a readable size.

Does PawnSmarts integrate with LEADS and other law-enforcement reporting?

Yes. PawnSmarts supports police reporting for stolen-property compliance and LEADS Online export. See the LEADS Online and police reporting pages for procedures.

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