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 | 2011 - June - Iowa - Transferring a Firearm to an Unlicensed Person Using an Iowa Permit Alternative
The open letter provides guidance to all Iowa federal firearms licensees when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person using an Iowa issued permit as an alternative to a NICS background check. Published/Revised: |
| Report | 2011 - Firearms Commerce Report
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: |
| Regulatory | 2011 - May - Kansas - All FFLs - National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Requirement Exception
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 when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. This open letter supersedes the document by the same title, posted on April 8, 2010. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2011 - May - All FFLs - Complying with Recordkeeping Requirements When Initial NICS Response Changed
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to comply with recordkeeping requirements when there is a change to the response initially received by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during a background check for a firearm transfer. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2011 - April - Nebraska - Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check
The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2011 - April - National - Submitting ATF Form 4 or Form 5
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to any person submitting ATF Form 4, Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm, or with ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of a Firearm. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010-9 - Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications
Persons holding a valid federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010-7 - Perforating Gun Storage
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010-6 - State of Residence
For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers
The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o). Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010 - August - All FFLs - Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers
ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.” Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2010 - May - Wyoming - All FFLs - Guidance Regarding Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal Firearms Licensee. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is providing you with the following information, intended to assist you in complying with Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 44. Published/Revised: |
