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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 ATF Industry Circular 84-10: Sales of Firearms by FFLs at Gun Shows [PDF - 235.35 KB]

All Federal Firearms Licensees and Others Concerned: This is to notify you that as a result of a formal process which began on April 22, 1980, the regulations have been changed (effective Nov. 29, 1984), to allow licensees to engage in business at gun shows held within the same State as the licensed premises.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - ATF Form 6 Part 1 (5330.3A) [PDF - 416.97 KB]

This form is used to apply to permanently import firearms, ammunition and implements of war.

Published/Revised:

Publication Don't Lie for the Other Guy - Postcard [PDF - 1.09 MB]

Purchasing a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one, or for someone who does not want his or her name associated with the transaction, is a “straw purchase,” a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory Industry Circular 93-5: Tax-Exempt and Tax-Free Sales of Firearms, Shells and Cartridges [PDF - 826.38 KB]

This circular gives general guidance to firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers about making tax-exempt or tax-free sales of firearms, and shells and cartridges (ammunition).

Published/Revised:

Publication ATF National Firearms Act Handbook - ATF P 5320.8 [PDF - 10.36 MB]

This handbook is primarily for the use of persons in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in firearms defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) or persons intending to go into an NFA firearms business. It should also be helpful to collectors of NFA firearms and other persons having questions about the application of the NFA. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1968-28: Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War [PDF - 2.18 MB]

This circular announces the transfer of the Arms Import Control Program from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1985-11: Surplus Military Firearms Frames or Receivers [PDF - 652.36 KB]

This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3).

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1986-8: Curio and Relic Updates [PDF - 1.17 MB]

This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1970-14: Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War [PDF - 3.19 MB]

This circular announces the issuance of a new Treasury Department regulation, Part 180 of Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1986-15: Armor Piercing Ammunition [PDF - 840.42 KB]

This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on Aug. 28,1986. This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2019 - October - Minnesota - All FFLs - NICS Background Check Prior to Firearm Transfer to Non-Licensee [PDF - 435.49 KB]

All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry.

Published/Revised:

Publication Don't Lie for the Other Guy (No Mienta por otra Persona) - Counter Mat (SP) [PDF - 434.92 KB]

No Mienta por otra PersonaADVERTENCIA. Cualquiera persona que se sospeche de violar las leyes Federales de armas de fuego, incluyendo la compra ilegal de un arma de fuego para otra persona, será denunciado a las autoridades.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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