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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 2017 - February - South Dakota - Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol [PDF - 33.24 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory Fingerprint Card Instructions and Example - FD-258 [PDF - 1.64 MB]

This is a sample fingerprint card (FD-258) that is used when applying for a federal firearms license. This card can be order from the ATF Distribution Center online or by calling 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528.

Published/Revised:

Report 2016 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 847.43 KB]

2016 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2016-5 - Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors [PDF - 92.29 KB]

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2016-4 - Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [PDF - 55.07 KB]

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. CBP an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Alabama - 2015 [PDF - 1.56 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Publication How to Conduct a Firearms Inventory - ATF P 5380.2 [PDF - 206.18 KB]

This publication provides guidelines on how to conduct a firearms inventory, dated July 2016.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 2016 - June - West Virginia - All FFLs - HB4145 [PDF - 44.01 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance concerning West Virginia House Bill (HB) 4145 as it concerns the provisional licenses made eligible to West Virginia residents aged 18-20.

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Wisconsin - 2015 [PDF - 1.55 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Pennsylvania - 2015 [PDF - 1.84 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Rhode Island - 2015 [PDF - 1.86 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Report Firearms Trace Data: Vermont - 2015 [PDF - 1.76 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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