It must be a government-issued document, one that is normally used for identification. It does not have to be issued by the State in which you are buying the gun. Hell, I used an Egyptian passport once! The instructions give a specific example about using a driver's license from one State to purchase in another.
An ID from another State usually won't prove your residence. (For military, it often does.) But, it can.
Some FFLs will be skiddish about two residences. They may not sell you a gun out of an abundance of caution and a lack of knowledge that the possibility is legal. Just get a document (government-issued) in your name with your out west address. That, combined with your retired military ID, ought to do the trick. As long as you and your family are still making a home out west, you can legally, and with a clear conscience, while you are staying there, claim "Out West" as your State of residence. Like I said, some FFLs will be skiddish. You may have to shop around. Exchange firearms counters routinely handle such transactions and have wide experience with accepting what the 4473 calls "alternate identification," so they shouldn't even flinch.
Pay not attention to the gentleman who is not knowledgeable of procedures vetted by our corporate lawyer.
so instead of following the ATFs guidance you are following those produced by the BX's corporate staff and continuing to give out firearm purchasing information without providing any type of cite...outstanding...
as stated previously, it must be a "...combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification document requirements of the Brady Act. The required valid government-issued photo identification document bearing the name, photograph, and date of birth of the transferee may be supplemented by another valid, government- issued document showing the transferee's residence address." 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(1)(C): IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSFEREE
and you are right i am the individual who lacks the knowledgeable aspects of firearm transfers.
ipse