Questions and Answers

ATF receives numerous telephone and electronic inquiries on a daily basis. In an effort to be consistent and to provide individuals with the most up-to-date information, ATF has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and provided answers to those questions.

Q&A Categories

Answers to some common questions related to 3-D printing of firearms.

The FTCA provides a legal means for compensating individuals who have suffered personal injury, death, or property loss or damage caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the federal government. There are exceptions to what claims may be payable under the FTCA, but it generally allows individuals to recover monetary damages from the United States under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable in accordance with the law of the place where the negligent or wrongful act occurred. The following procedures apply only to claims filed with ATF. The information contained in this section is not meant to constitute legal advice and ATF counsel cannot provide legal advice to claimants. 

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

Final Rule 2021R-08F Frequently Asked Questions and SBA Compliance Guide 
 

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding Final Rule - 2021R-05F.

Answers to some common questions when applying for a Special Agent (SA) position.
Answers to some common questions related to what is the Nation Firearms Act (NFA) including the definition, clarification and application of the Act, as well as which form(s) to use in order to apply for a tax stamp.
Questions and answers regarding the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Answers to some common questions for those who may be considered a nonimmigrant alien or for federal firearms licensees conducting business with nonimmigrant alien customers.
Answers to questions about other systems and how they relate/affect the use of BATS.
These questions pertain to pawnbrokers, who deal with the sales and purchases of firearms.

Questions regarding the personal collections of firearms if you are a federal firearms licensee (FFL).

This section is intended to identify what are plastic explosives and how they must be handled.
Answers to some common questions specific to receivers known as 80% receivers or unfinished receivers.

Answers to common questions about firearm records and bound book entries.

Answers to some common questions about recordkeeping requirements for explosives licensees and permittees.
Questions and answers regarding the storage requirements of explosives and explosive materials.
Answers to some common questions on the use or purchase of a firearm(s) by a person convicted of a domestic violence crime.

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the theft or loss of firearms in transit.

The PACT Act law went into effect on June 29, 2010. The PACT Act features several major components; it regulates the mailing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to consumers through the U.S. Postal Service; Registration, Reporting, Delivery requirements, recordkeeping, List of Unregistered or Non-Compliant Delivery Seller’s; increases penalties to a felony up to 3 years imprisonment and gives ATF inspection authority to examine any records required to be maintained and any cigarettes or smokeless kept on the premises.

Answers to questions in regards to the U.S. Bomb Data Center.
Answers to some common questions regarding explosives licensing and exemptions for contractors who work with the U.S military.
Answers to some common questions about the buying, selling, shipping, renting or loaning of firearms to an unlicensed person.

Frequently asked questions about vapes, e-cigarettes and the 2021 amendment to the PACT Act.

Answers to some common questions about reporting multiple sales of firearms to the same purchaser within a certain time period, using ATF Form 3310.4 for handguns (pistols and revolvers) and ATF Form 3310.12 for certain rifles.

Answers to some common questions related to the manufacturing of firearms and ammunition.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).
Questions about bump-stock-style devices, the final rule clarifying that bump stocks fall under the definition of "machinegun" under federal law, and how to destroy them or abandon them at local ATF offices.
Answers to common questions about the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report.
 

Answers to common questions about alcohol and tobacco diversion, which is the trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products in avoidance of Federal, State or foreign taxes or in violation of Federal, State or foreign law.

Answers to some common questions specific to applying for a Federal Explosives License (FEL).
Answers to common questions regarding what the program is, what is seized and who to contact.
Answers to some common questions about requirements for Form 4473 including where to order, how to download and proper means of identification for purchasing a firearm. 
Answers to questions about marking variances for destructive device munitions manufactured as part of a valid United States Government (USG) contract.
This section deals with auctions: estate-type auctions and consignment auctions and the auctioneers.
Answers to some common questions for those who may need more information on the access requirements for BATS.
Answers to questions about case management.
Answers to some common questions for who to contact for BATS support.
Answers to some common questions for those who may be looking for training information and sessions.
These questions pertain to individuals who wish to collect firearms.  This includes curio and relic firearms.
This section pertains to questions regarding machine guns.
Answers to some common questions about firearms licensing requirements, procedures for federal firearms licensee forms and filings, ammunition sales and the shipping of firearms.
Answers to common questions regarding what equitable sharing is.
Answers to common questions regarding contesting seizures, filing claims and retrieving seized property.
Answers to some common questions about storage and shipping requirements, manufacturing, and commercial use of fireworks.
Answers to some common questions about relief from firearms disabilities, the Gun Control Act (GCA) and regulation of firearms and ammunition.

These questions are intended to help you gain a better understanding of explosives-related issues. You can also find the latest federal explosives regulations in our Rules and Regulations section.

Answers to some common questions on the definitions of a gunsmith, licensing and recordkeeping requirements.
Answers to some common questions about importing into or exporting from the United States including firearms.

Answers to some common questions about importing or exporting firearms into/from the United States if you are not a federal firearms licensee.

Answers to some common questions about applying for the Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) position.
This section is intended to provide information on who needs a Federal explosives license or permit and the steps necessary to obtain one.
Answers to some common questions about applying for, renewing, or discontinuing a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
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