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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
Report 2013 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 706.82 KB]

This report presents data drawn from a number of ATF reports and records in one comprehensive document. Included are metrics regarding firearms manufactured, exports, imports and more. 

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Wyoming - 2012 [PDF - 1.33 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2012.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2012R-9P - Authorization to Seize Property Involved in Drug Offenses for Administrative Forfeiture - February 25, 2015 [PDF - 61.17 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to delegate to the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) authority to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2015-1 - Manufacturing and Gunsmithing [PDF - 69.18 KB]

Any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a "weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," i.e., a "firearm," must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer’s records. 

Published/Revised:

Publication Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances - Reference Guide [PDF - 196 KB]

Licensed manufacturers and importers are required to mark firearms manufactured or imported with specific identifying information.  ATF may authorize other means of identification ("marking variance") upon receipt of a letter application from a licensed manufacturer or importer.

Published/Revised:

Publication Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide - ATF P 5300.4 [PDF - 3.43 MB]

The 2014 edition of the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide contains information that will help you comply with federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition. This edition contains new and amended statutes enacted since publication of the 2005 edition, as well as updated regulations and rulings issued by ATF. Last revised September 2014.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2014 - June - West Virginia - Concealed Handgun Licenses as Alternative to NICS Checks [PDF - 52.11 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding the West Virginia's Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHLs) issued on or after June 4, 2014 as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2010R-21P - Amended Definition of Adjudicated as a Mental Defective and Committed to a Mental Institution [PDF - 64.15 KB]

The Department of Justice proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to clarify definitions of two categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The proposed rule would clarify that the statutory term "adjudicated as a mental defective" includes persons who are found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, lack of mental responsibility, or insanity, and that the term includes persons found guilty but mentally ill.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Procedure 2013-2 - Recordkeeping Procedure for Non-over-the-counter Firearm Sales by Licensees to Unlicensed In-state Residents That are NICS Exempt - Aug. 15, 2013 [PDF - 54.24 KB]

This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to record the sale of a firearm to an unlicensed person who:

  • Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements;
  • Resides in the same State as the licensee; and
  • Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises
 

Published/Revised:

Publication Personal Firearms Record - ATF P 3312.8 [PDF - 295.23 KB]

By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Last revised August 2013.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013-1 - Electronic Form 6 and 6A [PDF - 2.27 MB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for individuals, federal firearms licensees, and registered importers of articles enumerated on the U.S. Munitions Import List (USMIL) to file ATF Form 6 - Part I and Form 6A electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.  Supersedes ATF Rulings 2003-6 and 2010-9.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013-2 - NFA Electronic Forms [PDF - 582.32 KB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs, legal entities, and government agencies to file ATF Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.   

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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