New Law?

My long time trading buddy called me today and said he heard at the local pawn shop that a law (Federal?) went into effect on the first of January. If you as an individual sell a firearm to another individual without getting a police & federal check and the person is not elgible to own the firearm and uses it illegally you are held responsible. Here in Alabama you can marry your first cousin, fourteen is the age of consent, prostitution is legal outside of city limits, I have read in the paper of two instances of guys arrested for having "relations" with animals,(Arab Tribune) but this is illegal. I avarage two-four guns a month trading or selling. What have ya'll heard?