then the wholesaler, and finally the dealer to search their files to identify the buyer of the firearm. about a third of the time, the process involves digging through records sent in by companies that have closed. in many cases, searching by hand through cardboard boxes filled with computer printouts, hand-scrawled index cards or even water-stained sheets of paper. the atf uses this method because the idea of establishing a central database of gun transactions has been rejected by lawmakers in congress who have sided with the national rifle association which argues that such a database poses a threat to the 2nd amendment. on friday, david keane, the president of the nra, said this. >> next week we will be available to any of you who are interested in talking about these or other issues of interest to you, so contact us,