Even if he did fill out a 4473 the Govt wouldnt know about it, the 4473 stays with the dealers and is not turned into the NCIS. NCIS only knows if you are buying a handgun, long gun or other. they dont know the make or model or serial number of the weapon unless the dealer has went out of business and their 4473 forms have been turned into the ATF.
That is how it is supposed to work.
What happens when one of the three letter agencies shows up and says we want your 4473s?
Also, where do the 4473s go when a ffl surrenders their license?
These are rhetorical questions.
and its NICS, btw