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
Newsletter March 2013, Volume 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 608.64 KB]

What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2013; ATF Outreach Activities; Best Practices; FBI/NICS News

Published/Revised:

Newsletter March 2013, Volume 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 588.97 KB]

What’s In This Issue: Reminder: Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date; Reminder: eForm 6; Agency Information Collection Activities; Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; Clarification of ATF Ruling 2008–3: Making Corrections to the e4473; Recording Identification Documents on the ATF Form 4473—Military Identification and PCS Orders; Purchase of Firearms by Current or Former Law Enforcement Officers; Recording Pistol Grip Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Manufacturing NFA Firearms for the United States Government; When Permission Is Required To Move NFA Firearms; Recordkeeping Requirements and Retention Requirements for Licensed Manufacturers; Clarification: Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Brokering of Firearms/Drop Shipments

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:

Newsletter November 2012 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 338.84 KB]

What’s in This Issue:  Customer Service Standards; Reminder: Top 10 Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers; Receive Firearms Industry News; Electronic Devices Used to Verify Change of Address; Government Issued Documents Bearing an Incorrect Zip Code; PCS Orders and Military Dependents Purchasing Firearms; Licensed Manufacturer’s Registration; Requirement with the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Control (DDTC); Firearms Lost or Stolen from Interstate Shipments; Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Ethnicity and Race on the ATF Form 4473; Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Out-of-Business Procedures; Out-of-Business with Succession; Residence as a Licensed Business Premises; New Move in EPS; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions; FBI NICS news

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:

Regulatory 2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction [PDF - 68.58 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2012-3 - Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), Electronic Form [PDF - 1.41 MB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the AFMER, ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 

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