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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 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:

Regulatory 2012 - June - Alaska - Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number [PDF - 99.27 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - December - All FFLs - State of Residence [PDF - 70.01 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all federal firearms licensees that ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department of Justice's conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - December - All FFLs - Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions [PDF - 66.96 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all federal firearms licensees that ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms related to nonimmigrant alien provisions of the Gun Control Act.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - November - All FFLs - Recent Changes to Florida State Law [PDF - 62.6 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida state law and to assist federal firearms licensees in complying with federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearm.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - September - All FFLs - Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes [PDF - 56.61 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to federal firearms laws.

Published/Revised:

Publication Protection Orders and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.2 [PDF - 142.09 KB]

A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - August - All FFLs - Rural Route Address [PDF - 137.78 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide further guidance regarding purchasers who present an identification document bearing a rural route address.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - August - All FFLs - September 11th Anniversary [PDF - 89.4 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to encourage all federal firearms licensees to increase their awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Concealed Firearm Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.38 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011-4 - Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols [PDF - 82.73 KB]

Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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