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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 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 3.31 MB]

2024 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised:

Publication Fact Sheet - National Tracing Center (NTC) - How Does It Work? [ - ]

ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC) identifies shooters within hours of mass casualty events. It dismantles trafficking networks moving weapons to cartels and foreign criminal organizations. It gives investigators the lead they need when no other lead exists. Read the full fact sheet to learn more about how the NTC works.

Published/Revised:

Laboratories National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Program Information - 2026-2027 [PDF - 188.21 KB]

Program information for the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) for 2026-2027.

Published/Revised:

Report 2025 - 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:

Regulatory Application to Make and Register a Firearm - ATF Form 5320.1 (Form 1) [PDF - 3.48 MB]

This form is to request approval to make a NFA firearm. A making tax liability may be incurred.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm - ATF 5320.4 (Form 4) [PDF - 2.01 MB]

Application for tax paid transfer and registration of firearm used to request approval to transfer a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm subject to transfer tax liability. Typically submitted for a transfer to an individual or legal entity such as a trust.

Published/Revised:

Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Foreword [PDF - 3.47 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Foreword. 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): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part I [PDF - 4.86 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part I: Licensed Manufacturing of Firearms and Ammunition in the United States. 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): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part II [PDF - 3.85 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part II:  Privately Made Firearms. 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): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part III [PDF - 2.64 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part III:  Firearms Exported from the United States. 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): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part IV [PDF - 1.81 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part IV:  Firearms Imported into the United States. 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): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part V [PDF - 5.31 MB]

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume I - Part V:  Selling and Distribution. 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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