Firearms

Image of a handgun with bullets on a wooden table
Image of a handgun with bullets on a wooden table

The Bureau and Law Enforcement 

ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes and pursues an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy. Investigative priorities focus on armed violent offenders and career criminals, narcotics traffickers, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international arms traffickers. Sections 924(c) and (e) of Title 18 of the United States Code provide mandatory and enhanced sentencing guidelines for armed career criminals and narcotics traffickers as well as other dangerous armed criminals.

ATF uses these statutes to target, investigate and recommend prosecution of these offenders to reduce the level of violent crime and to enhance public safety. ATF also strives to increase State and local awareness of available Federal prosecution under these statutes. To curb the illegal use of firearms and enforce the Federal firearms laws, ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections. In addition to aiding the enforcement of Federal requirements for gun purchases, compliance inspections of existing licensees focus on assisting law enforcement to identify and apprehend criminals who illegally purchase firearms.

The inspections also help improve the likelihood that crime gun traces will be successful, since industry operations investigators educate licensees in proper record keeping and business practices.

 

Federal Firearms Licensees

The Tools and Services for Licensees section contains information for the firearms industry and its members, classifications of firearms and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479.

If you need assistance regarding firearms enforcement-related issues, please contact your local ATF office.

 

Cover of the National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume OneNational Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume One

The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data collected by ATF and other federal agencies related to the manufacture, exportation, and importation of firearms.

Download the NFCTA - Volume One

 

Cover page of the National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis - Volume TwoNational Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume Two

The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on “crime guns”, that is firearms diverted from lawful commerce and recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations.

Download the NFCTA - Volume Two

 

What's New

New March 4, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Revision of a Previously Approved Collection; Application and Permit for Permanent Exportation of Firearms - ATF Form 9 (5320.9)Comment period: March 4, 2024 - May 3, 2024

New March 4, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles - ATF Form 3310.12Comment period: March 4, 2024 - April 3, 2024

New February 15, 2024: Application/ Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens - Comment period: February 15, 2023 - March 18, 2024

New February 15, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition, and Defense Articles - Comment period: February 15, 2023 - March 18, 2024

December 26, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Revision of a Previously Approved Collection; Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles - Comment period: December 26, 2023 - February 26, 2024

December 12, 2023: Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy - Read the Final Report and Revocation Documents

December 8, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Application/Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens - ATF Form 6A (5330.3C)Comment period: December 8, 2023 - February 6, 2024

December 8, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Application/Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens - ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D)Comment period: December 8, 2023 - February 6, 2024

November 20, 2023: Open Letter: Solvent Trap Devises

October 31, 2023: Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy - Read the Final Report and Revocation Documents

September 28, 2023: Firearms Trace Data - 2022

March 21, 2023: Public Safety Advisory to All Federal Firearms Licensees, and Firearm Parts, Components, and Accessories Manufacturers and Distributors

March 16, 2023: Open Letter: Changes to Vermont Law 13 V.S.A. § 4019

January 31, 2023: Rulemaking Notice: Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘‘Stabilizing Braces’’ - Effective Date: January 31, 2023

January 12, 2023: Open Letter: Machinegun Dealer Sales Sample Letters

Current Processing Times for ATF Applications (Paper and eForms) 

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