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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
Report 2024 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 1.45 MB]

2024 - Firearms Commerce Report in the United States.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory Procedures for Requesting Computerized Bookkeeping Variance [PDF - 40.68 KB]

This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2025 - Memo - NICS Alert Policy [PDF - 228.33 KB]

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:

Report NFCTA Volume IV - Part I Firearm Commerce Updates and New Analysis [PDF - 1.8 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report 2024 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [HTML]

Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) must report to ATF each missing, lost, or stolen firearm from the FFL's inventory or collection within 48 hours of discovery of the loss or theft by completing and forwarding a Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report (ATF Form 3310.11). In addition, the FFL must also report the firearm theft or loss to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. 

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Central America - 2023 [HTML]

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, 2023, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Volume IV - Part IX - Final Recommendations [PDF - 267.45 KB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report NFCTA Volume IV - Part II – Firearm Thefts and Losses Updates and New Analysis [PDF - 381.62 KB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Volume IV - Introduction [PDF - 171.97 KB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Volume IV - Acknowledgements [PDF - 111.41 KB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Volume IV - Director’s Foreword [PDF - 1.24 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Volume IV - Part VIII - Updates to Previous Recommendations [PDF - 339.98 KB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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