Firearms Industry

Top 10 Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers

ATF receives numerous telephone and electronic inquiries on a daily basis. In an effort to provide individuals with the most up-to-date information, ATF has compiled a list of the top 10 most frequently asked questions and provided answers to those questions: Top 10 Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers of the Month

Sample of Revised ATF Form 4473

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) published Open Letters on December 8, 2011 and December 22, 2011, advising Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of upcoming changes to regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 relating to the definition of State of residence and the prohibitions relating to firearms possession by nonimmigrant aliens. The Open Letters also advised that the regulatory changes would be implemented through changes to ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.

The Office of Management and Budget has approved the revisions to the Form 4473 and has issued a control number under the Paperwork Reduction Act for the new and revised collections of information in the form. ATF anticipates that the two regulatory amendments will be published in the Federal Register within the near future. Although the amended Form 4473 may not be used to record firearms transactions until the regulatory amendments are published and in effect, we are publishing the form below. This will enable FFLs to become familiar with the changes to the form prior to the date when the form must be utilized to record firearms transactions. Well in advance of the effective date, ATF will provide Federal firearms licensees (FFL) with a stock of the revised forms and a letter to communicate the effective date for the implementing regulations. FFLs should monitor ATF’s website (www.atf.gov) for further information on the publication of the two regulations in the Federal Register and to determine the date those regulations become effective.

FFLs should continue to use the existing Form 4473, revised in August 2008, until the effective date of the regulations.

To view a sample of the Revised ATF Form 4473, click here.

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

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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