It is
okay to purchase a gun as a gift. You can fill out the 4473 honestly as the actual transferee/buyer as long as the person you’re giving it to is not giving you money or goods, and can lawfully possess it. There is NO need for him to fill out the 4473.
If you know he’d like the AR pistol, buy it and give it to him like a normal gift. If you are not sure what gun he’d like, go the gift card route.
Cite:
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/4...n-record-over-counter-atf-form-53009/download
“Question 11.a. Actual Transferee/Buyer: For purposes of this form, a person is the actual transferee/buyer if he/she is purchasing the firearm for him/herself or otherwise acquiring the firearm for him/herself. (e.g., redeeming the firearm from pawn, retrieving it from consignment, firearm raffle winner). A person is also the actual transferee/buyer if he/she is legitimately purchasing the firearm as a bona fide gift for a third party. A gift is not bona fide if another person offered or gave the person completing this form money, service(s), or item(s) of value to acquire the firearm for him/her, or if the other person is prohibited by law from receiving or possessing the firearm.”