ATLANTA — Hundreds of local gun shops were warned about violating federal gun rules, according to a report obtained by Channel 2 Action News through an open records request.
Channel 2 started investigating more than a year ago after some local lawmakers said there were not enough regulations keeping track of the gun industry.
For every gun sold in the United States a form must be filled out documenting the transaction.
"There is zero room for error when you are maintaining a firearms license," said Gary DeGeorge, who is president of Atlanta Range and Ordinance in Newnan.
Every year the ATF industry investigators conduct inspections to ensure compliance with federal law and regulation at various stores throughout the metro area.
There were more than 139,200 federal firearm licensees nationwide in fiscal year 2013. During that time, ATF conducted more than 10,500 firearms compliance inspections.
In Georgia, there are more than 2,000 federal firearm licensees and the Atlanta Field Division has approximately 30 Industry Operations Investigators covering the state of Georgia's gun locations.
An open records request revealed hundreds of the stores inspected received warning letters about potential violations. Violations can include everything from a paperwork error, to losing track of weapons altogether.
State Sen. Vincent For said despite the efforts, more oversight is needed to deter "straw buyers" from selling to criminals.
"Thirty inspectors trying to oversee thousands of locations, thousands of gun stores is inadequate," Fort said.
"To put more regulation on the industry is just a burden, that is the wrong answer," said DeGeorge, who owns the Coweta County gun shop.
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