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 | 2025-1: Importing Dual-Use Barrels
ATF has determined that federal firearms licensees may lawfully import “dual-use” firearm barrels—barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms—under 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the barrel. Importation may be approved regardless of whether a barrel had been previously configured on non-sporting, military surplus, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Further, once the barrel is in the United States, ATF has determined that nothing in the statutes prevent a dual-use barrel from being used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or NFA firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) (assembly of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun) and the NFA, 26 U.S.C. chapter 53, as applicable. This Ruling supersedes a November 2005 ATF Open Letter on dual-use barrels. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2025-2: Importing Training Rounds
ATF authorizes the importation of certain marking rounds (“training rounds”) because these training rounds do not meet the definition of “ammunition” as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A). These items are not designed for offensive and defensive combat and are not “designed for use in any firearm.” Similarly, training rounds are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act because they are not designed for use in any “firearm” as defined in the permanent importation regulations implementing that statute. An importer of training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm may import the rounds without submitting an ATF Form 6, Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 5330.3A). Note, however, less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, is generally considered ammunition. This Ruling only applies to training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm. Published/Revised: |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: Canada - 2019-2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Canada with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: Mexico - 2019-2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Mexico with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: Central America - 2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Central America with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: The Caribbean - 2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in the Caribbean with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | Open Letter to All FFLs - May 2025 - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of updated guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that reminds you of your obligations under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL. Published/Revised: |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: South Dakota - 2008
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
| Report | 2024 - Firearms Commerce Report
2024 - Firearms Commerce Report in the United States. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | Procedures for Requesting Computerized Bookkeeping Variance
This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance. Published/Revised: |
| Regulatory | 2025 - Memo - NICS Alert Policy
NICS Alert Policy memo, dated April 23, 2025. The use of the NICS Alert is a valuable investigative technique for firearm trafficking investigations. It is critical that this tool is utilized properly and only when needed. To this end, we are undergoing an extensive review of all current alerts and stipulating additional requirements for future use of NICS alerts. Published/Revised: |
| Laboratories | National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Program Information - 2025-2026
Program information for the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) for 2025-2026. Published/Revised: |
