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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 1998 - October - Maryland - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.79 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Maine - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Michigan - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.43 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Guam - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.67 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Missouri - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.61 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Mississippi - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.13 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Minnesota - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.88 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 - Massachusetts - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 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This open letter has been rescinded.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 2025 - July - Wisconsin - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law - FFL on Status of Concealed Carry License as a NICS Alternate Permit [PDF - 280.49 KB]

ATF is committed to helping federal firearms licensees (FFLs) understand their legal obligations under federal law. This open letter advises Wisconsin FFLs that, effective immediately, the Wisconsin concealed carry license does not qualify as an alternative permit/license for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3), which allows FFLs to accept certain state-issued licenses in lieu of running a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) when transferring a firearm to a nonlicensee. 

Published/Revised:

Publication Firearms Curios or Relics List - January 1972-April 2025 [PDF - 631.64 KB]

A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR § 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. This document includes a complete list of firearms curios or relics classifications from the previous editions of the Firearms Curios or Relics (C&R) List, ATF P 5300.11, combined with those made by FATD through April 2025.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2021 - June - Louisiana - All FFLs - Lifetime Permit [PDF - 2.1 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Louisiana Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permit meets the requirements as an alternative to the NICS check only during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the Lifetime Permit.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - South Dakota - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.85 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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