Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Firearms Publications

ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.

Document type Title and Description
Regulatory 2005 - October - Alaska - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Alaska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - American Samoa - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.5 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Arizona - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.43 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arizona of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Arkansas - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.68 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.  The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arkansas of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Delaware - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Delaware of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - District of Columbia - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.7 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in the District of Columbia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Florida - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.77 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Florida of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Montana - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.57 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - New York - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.92 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1999 - July - Colorado - Correction Notice - State of Colorado Point of Contact for Background Checks [PDF - 1.9 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The Colorado Department of Public Safety recently notified ATF that the State of Colorado will again act as the point of contact for NICS checks for all firearms transactions. Therefore, beginning Aug. 1, 1999, in order to request a NICS check for any firearm transaction, you must contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2000 - April - North Dakota - Correction Notice - Qualifying Permit Alternatives to NICS Check [PDF - 1.91 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The provisions of North Dakota law regarding the issuance of concealed weapons permits were recently amended.  Based on these changes, concealed weapons permits issued on or after Dec. 1, 1999, will now qualify as alternatives to a NICS check at the time of transfer.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2000 - December - Vermont - Notice of Amendment for Vermont Firearms Background Checks [PDF - 3.46 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The State of Vermont has advised us that effective Feb. 1, 2002, it will no longer act as a point of contact for NICS checks. In the absence of any further Vermont legislation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will assume responsibility for conducting NICS checks for firearms transactions in Vermont on Feb. 1, 2002.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

ATF.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Justice

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov