With transfers between individuals as in the now transfer thru an FFL, the y are wanting a background check to NCIS, at which time any inquiry can and probably will be recorded into a Data Base, i.e., FFL Lic #, purchaser and id of purchaser(SSN??), etc. This would give and store pertinent information that could always be accessed at any time by the "proper authorities" and thus they could contact the FFL, review their records(which they must retain for 20 yrs) and in essence your weapon is registered with access upon request of those records. For example: Joe Smith ID # was background check inquiry from FFL# on May 1, 1015 at 10:20 AM EST. Proper authorities can access this info and inquire of your FFL what are the records indicating. those records include Make Model and Serial # of the weapon. Thus registration, FEDS on keep data base records of inquiries and FFL keeps hard records and serial# which can be accessed. this is registration and tracking of those weapons that here to now may not have had a FFL involvement. Let your mind be free and pretend what all this can accomplish. As far as the 15 yr prison term for keeping a record of those transactions by the Feds, yeah, believe that if you want, all it will take is an amendment to that law at a later date( DEM controll Senate and House) to repeal that 15 year penalty. Now the kicker, if your FFL ceases business all those records and logs are surrendered to the ATF. The best background check without GOVT interference or record keeping would be for the FFL to access the NCIS data base and determine IF YOUR NAME was on that list, without giving your personal info for the inquiry. It would be a list of those NOT qualified to own, If the FFL does not see your name on the list, your are GTG.. Think of it as the NO FLY list, your FFL checks the list, no name on the list, no problem. We do not need to divulge any information on the purchaser of a weapon, which can be entered into a data Base. Jonbearman hit right on with his post.