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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 1998 - October - Indiana - All FFLs - Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System [PDF - 1.87 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. The permanent provisions of the Brady law provide for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system (NICS) that licensees must contact before transferring any firearm to unlicensed individuals.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Maryland - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.79 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Maine - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Michigan - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.43 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Guam - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.67 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Missouri - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.61 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Mississippi - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.13 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Minnesota - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.88 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1998 - October - Massachusetts - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - May - Kansas - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.92 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.  The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. On Nov. 30, 1998, the interim provisions of the Brady law will cease to apply, and the permanent provisions of the Brady law will take effect.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.93 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Nevada of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2011 - June - Iowa - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.93 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Act, when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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