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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 2013 - July - Kansas - All FFLs - Passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act [PDF - 57.54 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance and information related to the passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act, Kansas, effective April 25, 2013.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013 - May - All FFLs - Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser [PDF - 75.08 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011R-9P - Importation of Defense Articles and Defense Services - U.S. Munitions Import List - April 22, 2013 [PDF - 61.04 KB]

DOJ is amending ATF regulations to remove the cross reference to the regulatory U.S. Munitions List (USML) of the Int'l Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that appears at 27 CFR 447.21; to clarify that the Attorney General (AG) exercises delegated authority pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 13637 to designate defense articles and defense services as part of the  statutory USML for purposes of permanent import controls, regardless of whether the Secretary of State controls such defense articles or defense services for purposes of export and temporary import; and to clarify that defense articles and defense services controlled pursuant to the AG's delegated AECA authority are part of the statutory USML (along with those that are controlled for export and temporary import by the Secretary of State), but that the list of defense articles and defense services controlled by the AG is labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from the list of defense articles and defense services in the ITAR that are controlled by the Secretary of State.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013 - April - California - All FFLs - Completing ATF Forms 4473 While Complying With Dealer Record of Sale Transaction Procedures [PDF - 42.65 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2015 - April - Louisiana - All FFLs - Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 472.3 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013 - January - All FFLs - Private Firearm Transfers [PDF - 237.83 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013 - January - All FFLs - Federal Firearms Licensees Ready Ability [PDF - 237.83 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2013 - January - All FFLs - Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals [PDF - 297.42 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2016 - January - National - Presidential Memorandum [PDF - 23.71 KB]

Tracing firearms in connection with criminal investigations and improving availability of relevant Executive Brand records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Published/Revised:

Publication Best Practices: Transfers of Firearms by Private Sellers - ATF P 5300.21 [PDF - 164.84 KB]

This publication provides best practices in regards to transfers of firearms by private sellers.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2012 - December - All FFLs - For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov [PDF - 947.46 KB]

This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2012 - September - All FFLs - Building Positive Working Relationships With Industry Members [PDF - 160.7 KB]

This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all federal firearms licensees and all federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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