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.”

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