How electronic 4473 software works in your store
E4473 replaces paper ATF Form 4473 with a secure, fully digital workflow. From customer form completion to NICS submission to permanent encrypted cloud storage — here's every step.
Four steps from paper to digital
Your customers do the data entry. You do the review. Every transaction follows the same clean path.
100% ATF-compliant — always current, always ready
E4473 is built from the ground up to meet every ATF regulation for electronic 4473 completion and storage. Our compliance team monitors ATF rulings and updates the platform before they take effect.
- Compliant with ATF Ruling 2016-2 (electronic 4473 completion)
- Compliant with ATF Ruling 2022-1 (electronic storage requirements)
- Updated for the latest revised ATF Form 4473
- ATF help language and definitions built into every question
- Automated 3310.4 multiple handgun sale reports
Submit NICS background checks without leaving E4473
Customer data flows directly from the completed digital 4473 into your NICS submission — no re-entering names, dates, or addresses into a second system.
NICS submission is included with every E4473 plan. Not a separate add-on, not a per-check fee.
- Customer data auto-populates from the completed 4473
- Real-time status: Proceed, Delayed, or Denied
- Included with every plan — no per-check fees
E-signatures on any device — no wet signatures required
Every E4473 plan includes electronic signature capability. Customers sign with a finger on their smartphone or tablet, or use a Topaz signature pad at the counter.
Both the customer signature and the FFL employee certification are captured electronically. No printing, no scanning — no paper anywhere in the workflow.
- Sign on smartphone, tablet, or Topaz signature pad
- Included with every plan at every tier
- Captures both customer and FFL employee signatures
- Upload additional documents to each transaction record
Five-tier security that keeps customer data locked down
E4473 uses a five-tier security protocol with 24/7 monitoring to protect every piece of customer information. From the moment a customer opens the form to the moment it's archived, their data is encrypted end-to-end.
- Verified-user sign-in — first line of defense against unauthorized access
- Encrypted data in transit and at rest
- 24/7 threat monitoring and suspicious activity detection
- Consumer privacy protection and strict access controls
Works on every device and operating system
E4473 is browser-based and mobile-first. Your customers use their own phones. Your team uses whatever hardware you already have. No app download, no software to install, no special equipment required.
Multi-user capability means your entire team and your customers can all access E4473 simultaneously — no seat limits, no timeouts.
- iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chrome OS
- Smartphones, tablets, kiosks, laptops, desktops
- No app download — runs entirely in the browser
- Off-site access from anywhere with internet
Native integration with Bravo Store Systems
E4473 integrates natively with Bravo Point of Sale, allowing you to manage your entire firearm retail operation — from acquisition through 4473 completion to disposition — in one system. No toggling between platforms.
When a firearm is ready for sale, Bravo prompts your employee to send the customer the E4473 form. The validated 4473 flows back into Bravo automatically.
- One system for acquisition, 4473, NICS, and disposition
- Automatic prompt when firearm is ready for sale
- Completed 4473 syncs back to Bravo automatically
Questions about how the workflow works
Everything FFLs ask before switching to digital 4473 forms.
Yes. You can text the customer a link before they arrive — they complete the digital 4473 on their phone at home or in the parking lot. By the time they reach the counter, the form is already validated and waiting for your review. This significantly reduces counter time for firearm transactions.
E4473 shows real-time NICS status updates — Proceed, Delayed, or Denied. If the check is delayed, the transaction is held in E4473 pending resolution. Your staff is notified of any status change. The completed 4473 is stored regardless of NICS outcome and associated with the transaction record for your A&D book.
E4473 is a cloud-based, browser-based platform and requires an internet connection to operate — as does NICS background check submission. If your internet is down, you would need to fall back to paper 4473s until connectivity is restored. We recommend having a backup connection (mobile hotspot) for high-volume stores.
Yes. The ATF requires FFLs to provide 60 days' written notice to their local ATF Industry Operations Area Office before implementing digital storage for ATF Form 4473. E4473 provides guidance on this notification process as part of your onboarding. Electronic completion of the form (separate from storage) does not require prior notification.
E4473 automatically generates Form 3310.4 Multiple Handgun Sale Reports when a buyer purchases two or more handguns within five consecutive business days. The report is generated and submitted without requiring manual tracking on your part.
E4473 has a native integration with Bravo Store Systems Point of Sale. If you are using a different POS, E4473 operates as a standalone system for the digital 4473 and NICS workflow. Schedule a demo to discuss your current setup and the best path for your store.