Firearms Industry

One of the primary missions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is to provide direction and advice to the firearms industry regarding the Federal firearms regulations. Our goal is to help you in understanding the requirements of being a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and provide you with the tools to enable you to comply with the regulations governing the sale and transfer of firearms.

Working in partnership with Trade Shows and Industry Associations we conduct Outreach programs across the country every year for the benefit of FFLs and, have presence at most larger industry events, in particular the annual SHOT Show (a major trade show the annual National Rifle Association (NRA) conference and most trade association events. We also partner with other members of the firearms industry in campaigns such as “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy;” an effort designed to assist firearm retailers in the detection and possible deterrence of “straw purchases,” the illegal purchase of a firearm by one person for another.

Some of the tools we provide to the firearms industry include the eForm 4473, an electronic version of ATF F 4473 and FFL eZ Check, to verify the authenticity of a Federal firearms license.

“We remain committed to educating the licensee population and the general public as well as our law enforcement partners on the regulatory requirements associated with firearms and the conduct of licensed business operations; to continue to build bridges, to facilitate cooperation and understanding and to further reduce violent crime resulting from the illegal use of firearms. Working in partnership and in a spirit of collaboration to reduce firearms related crime and to protect our communities is a Team effort.”

Questions and Answers of the Month

As a licensed dealer, am I required to record both the manufacturer and importer, or only one of them?

Per 27 CFR 478.125(e), a licensed dealer is required to enter both the manufacturer and importer (if any) in the A&D record. While the specific format required does not match the exact wording of the regulation, a licensed dealer is still required to record both, because that information is spelled out specifically in the wording of the regulation.

Corporation A holds a Federal firearms license. Corporation B acquires Corporation A and obtains its own FFL entitling it to operate the firearms business. As part of the sale transaction, one of the officers of Corporation A is entitled to acquire some of firearms in the business inventory in his personal capacity. The sale and delivery of the firearms to the officer will take place before Corporation B takes over the business. Should Corporation A complete a Form 4473 and a NICS check when the firearms are transferred to the officer of the corporation? How should the acquisition and disposition record be completed?

The transfer of the firearm by the FFL to the corporate officer or director for personal use unrelated to the FFL’s business is a transfer by a licensee to a nonlicensee that must be handled the same way as any other disposition of a firearm from inventory. An ATF Form 4473 must be completed, the FFL must comply with the Brady law, and the firearm must be logged out of the permanent bound record as a disposition [see ATF Newsletter March 2006].

May a licensed dealer sell a firearm to a non-licensee who is a resident of another State?

Generally, a firearm may not lawfully be sold by a licensed dealer to a non-licensee who resides in a State other than the State in which the seller’s licensed premises is located. However, the sale may be made if the firearm is shipped to a licensed dealer whose business is in the purchaser’s State of residence and the purchaser takes delivery of the firearm from the dealer in his or her State of residence. In addition, a licensee may sell a rifle or shotgun to a person who is not a resident of the State where the licensee's business premises is located in an over-the-counter transaction, provided the transaction complies with State law in the State where the licensee is located and in the State where the purchaser resides.

View the FFL Tip of the Month archive

Applications

Brady Law / NICS

Public Information

Frequently Asked Questions

FEID Customer Service Standards

DRAFT ATF F 4473 Associated with Information Collection 1140-0020

Multiple Sale of Certain Rifles

Firearms Technology

Guides

How To’s

National Firearms Act (NFA)

Programs

Publications

Training

Meetings with Firearms Industry

August 2011- Firearms Industry Importer, Exporter, and Manufacturer Conference

Reports

Suitability of the Importation of Certain Long Guns

 

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Division Organization Chart

Firearms Industry News

  • Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations: Notice seeking comments and information from public
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Letter Requesting Supporting Documents Identifying a Legal Entity — 02/24/11
  • FFL Newsletter – February 2011
  • ATF Ruling 2011-1:Consolidation of Required Records for Importers
  • ATF Ruling 2010-6: State of Residence
  • AFMER 2011 Letter
  • SHOT Show 2011 Straw Purchase was presented by Resident Agent in Charge (Las Vegas field office) Thomas Chittum on January 20, 2011
  • Shot Show 2011 FESD Town Hall Meeting Talking Points was presented on January 19, 2011, by Deputy Division Chief, Firearms & Explosives Services Division, Stephen Albro
  • SHOT Show 2011 Inspection Findings was presented by Deputy Assistant Director (Field Operations, IO) Harry McCabe on January 19, 2011
  • SHOT Show 2011 Inventory Procedures for FFLs was presented by Chief, Firearms Industry Programs Branch Adam Rogers, on January 19, 2011
  • OMB Number 1140-0089 —Open Letter to States With Permits That Appear to Qualify as Alternatives to NICS Checks
  • OMB Number 1140-0045 —Permanent Provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
  • Washington, DC —ATF Issues Manufacturing Ruling
  • ATF issues Ruling —ATF Rul. 2010-10 – Manufacturing Operations May Be Performed by Licensed Gunsmiths Under Certain Conditions
  • ATF F 5 (5320.5) (OMB Number 1140-0015) — Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm;
  • ATF F 3 (5320.3) (OMB Number 1140-0013) — Application for Tax Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer;
  • ATF F 8 (5310.11) (OMB Number 1140-0019) — Federal Firearms License (FFL) RENEWAL Application;
  • OMB Number 1140-0041 – Implementation of Public Law 103-322 — The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994;
  • OMB Number 1140-0090 (ATF F 5630.5R, ATF F 5630.5RC, ATF F 5630.7) — ATF F 5630.5R, NFASpecial Tax Renewal Registration and Return; ATF F 5630.5RC, NFA Special Tax Location Registration Listing; ATF F 5630.7, NFA Special Tax Registration and Return National Firearms Act.
  • Unified Agenda —Department of Justice Unified Agenda — Fall 2010
  • ATF issues Ruling —ATF Ruling 2010-8: Consolidation of Required Records for Manufacturers
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Report of Multiple Sales or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles — 12/21/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War — 12/21/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: Revision 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application and Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens — 12/21/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: Revision 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War — 12/21/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: Revision 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War — 12/21/10
  • Firearms — Learn about Firearms Safety and Security — 11/18/10
  • ATF issues Ruling — ATF Ruling 2010-9:Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications — 11/30/10
  • Firearms — Learn about Firearms Safety and Security — 11/18/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles — 11/03/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for an Amended Federal Firearms License — 11/03/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm — 11/03/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Federal Firearms License — 11/03/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Open Letter to States With Permits That Appear To Qualify as Alternatives to NICS Checks — 10/28/10
  • Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested — Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Permanent Provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act — 10/25/10
  • Firearms Industry News Archive