Firearms
The Bureau and Law Enforcement
ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes and pursues an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy. Investigative priorities focus on armed violent offenders and career criminals, narcotics traffickers, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international arms traffickers. Sections 924(c) and (e) of Title 18 of the United States Code provide mandatory and enhanced sentencing guidelines for armed career criminals and narcotics traffickers as well as other dangerous armed criminals.
ATF uses these statutes to target, investigate and recommend prosecution of these offenders to reduce the level of violent crime and to enhance public safety. ATF also strives to increase State and local awareness of available Federal prosecution under these statutes. To curb the illegal use of firearms and enforce the Federal firearms laws, ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections. In addition to aiding the enforcement of Federal requirements for gun purchases, compliance inspections of existing licensees focus on assisting law enforcement to identify and apprehend criminals who illegally purchase firearms.
The inspections also help improve the likelihood that crime gun traces will be successful, since industry operations investigators educate licensees in proper record keeping and business practices.
Federal Firearms Licensees
The Tools and Services for Licensees section contains information for the firearms industry and its members, classifications of firearms and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479.
If you need assistance regarding firearms enforcement-related issues, please contact your local ATF office.
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume One
The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data collected by ATF and other federal agencies related to the manufacture, exportation, and importation of firearms.
Download the NFCTA - Volume One
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume Two
The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on “crime guns”, that is firearms diverted from lawful commerce and recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations.
Download the NFCTA - Volume Two
What's New
New September 15, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) — ATF Form 5300.11 - Comment period: September 15, 2023 - October 16, 2023
New September 15, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved collection; request for comment: Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer — ATF Form 5320.3 - Comment period: September 15, 2023 - October 16, 2023
New September 8, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment: Definition of ‘‘Engaged in the Business’’ as a Dealer in Firearms - Comment period: September 9, 2023 - December 7, 2023
August 29, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Federal Firearms Licensee Firearms Inventory/ Firearms in Transit Theft/Loss Report - Comment period: August 29, 2023 - September 28, 2023
August 29, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for National Firearms Examiner Academy—ATF Form 6330.1 - Comment period: August 29, 2023 - September 28, 2023
August 29, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Federal Firearms License and Part B—Responsible Person Questionnaire - Comment period: August 29, 2023 - September 28, 2023
August 24, 2023: Open Letter: Open Letter to All North Carolina Federal Firearms Licensees - Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act
July 25, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Federal Firearms License (FFL) Renewal Application—ATF Form 8 (5310.11) Part II - Comment period: July 25, 2023 - September 25, 2023
July 20, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-Day Notice: National Firearms Act (NFA)—Special Occupational Taxes (SOT)—ATF Form 5630.7 - Comment period: July 20, 2023 - September 18, 2023
July 20, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-Day Notice: Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported—ATF Form 2 (5320.2) - Comment period: July 20, 2023 - August 21, 2023
July 20, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-Day Notice: Application for Registration of Firearms Acquired by Certain Governmental Entities— ATF Form 10 (5320.10) - Comment period: July 20, 2023 - August 21, 2023
July 17, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-Day Notice: Application for Alternate Means of Identification of Firearm(s) (Marking Variance)—ATF Form 3311.4 - Comment period: July 17, 2023 - August 16, 2023
July 6, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer—ATF Form 3 (5320.3) - Comment period: July 6, 2023 - September 5, 2023
July 6, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: New Collection: Request for Restricted 922(o) Machine Gun (National Firearms Act)—ATF Form 5320.24 - Comment period: July 6, 2023 - August 7, 2023
July 6, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) Under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, Firearms—ATF Form 5300.11 - Comment period: July 6, 2023 - September 5, 2023
July 6, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Restoration of Firearms Privileges—ATF Form 3210.1 - Comment period: July 6, 2023 - September 5, 2023
June 28, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Amended Federal Firearms License—ATF Form 5300.38 - Comment period: June 28, 2023 - August 28, 2023
June 22, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm—ATF Form 5 (5320.5) - Comment period: June 22, 2023 - July 24, 2023
June 22, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm—ATF Form 4 (5320.4) - Comment period: June 22, 2023 - July 24, 2023
June 14, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Federal Firearms Licensee Firearms Inventory/Firearms in Transit Theft/Loss Report—ATF Form 3310.11/3310.11A - Comment period: June 14, 2023 - August 14, 2023
June 12, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-Day Notice Application for National Firearms Examiner Academy—ATF Form 6330.1 - Comment period: June 12, 2023 - August 11, 2023
June 12, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-Day Notice Application for Federal Firearms License and Part B—Responsible Person Questionnaire)—ATF Form 7 (5310.12)/7CR (5310.16) - Comment period: June 12, 2023 - August 11, 2023
May 17, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Firearms Transaction Record/Registro de Transaccio´n de Armas de Fuego - Comment period: May 17, 2023 - June 16, 2023
May 15, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Application for Registration of Firearms Acquired by Certain Governmental Entities—ATF F 10 (5320.10) - Comment period: May 15, 2023 - July 14, 2023
May 10, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Alternate Means of Identification of Firearm(s) (Marking Variance) - Comment period: May 10, 2023 - July 10, 2023
May 10, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported—ATF Form 2 (5320.2) - Comment period: May 10, 2023 - July 10, 2023
April 20, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm—ATF Form 4 (5320.4) - Comment period: April 20, 2023 - June 20, 2023
April 17, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Amended Federal Firearms License—ATF Form 5300.38 - Comment period: April 17, 2023 - June 16, 2023
April 17, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Request for Restricted 922(o) Machine Gun (National Firearms Act)—ATF Form 5320.24 - Comment period: April 17, 2023 - June 16, 2023
April 17, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm—ATF Form 5 (5320.5) - Comment period: April 17, 2023 - June 16, 2023
March 21, 2023: Public Safety Advisory to All Federal Firearms Licensees, and Firearm Parts, Components, and Accessories Manufacturers and Distributors
March 16, 2023: Open Letter: Changes to Vermont Law 13 V.S.A. § 4019
March 7, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection—ATF Form 4473 (Form 5300.9, Form 5300.9 - Spanish, Form 5300.9A, Form 5300.9A - Spanish) - Comment period: March 7, 2023 - May 8, 2023
February 13, 2023: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Certification on Agency Letterhead Authorizing Purchase of Firearm for Official Duties of Law Enforcement Officer - Comment period: February 13, 2023 - March 15, 2023
January 31, 2023: Rulemaking Notice: Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘‘Stabilizing Braces’’ - Effective Date: January 31, 2023
January 12, 2023: Open Letter: Machinegun Dealer Sales Sample Letters
December 28, 2022: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection: Certification on Agency Letterhead Authorizing Purchase of Firearm for Official Duties of Law Enforcement Officer - Comment period: December 28, 2022 - February 27, 2023
December 27, 2022: Open Letter: Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete Polymer80, Lone Wolf, and Similar Semiautomatic Pistol Frames
Current Processing Times for ATF Applications (Paper and eForms)