Fact Sheet - Federal Firearms and Explosives Licenses by Types
Fast Facts
ATF's Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) issues and renews federal firearms licenses (FFLs) in accordance with the Gun Control Act of 1968.
ATF's Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) issues and renews federal explosives licenses and permits (FEL/FEPs) submitted by industry members who manufacture, deal in, and import or receive explosive materials in accordance with the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.
ATF issues nine types of federal firearms licenses and five types of explosives licenses and permits.
Firearms
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) issues and renews federal firearms licenses (FFL) in accordance with the Gun Control Act of 1968.
The FFLC performs the following functions:
- Receives and processes all new and renewal FFL applications. The FFLC conducts thorough background checks on all responsible persons (RPs).
- Sends new applications to the appropriate ATF field office. The field office coordinates inspections and provides recommendations for final approval. After inspection and notification from the area office, the FFLC issues and sends out the FFL.
- Maintains an official repository and archive of FFL-related documents and ensures that documents are properly prepared for digital imaging.
- Provides copies of documents and FFL-related material in response to congressional and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
- Supports ATF investigations by providing Blue Ribbon Certifications and direct testimony to verify the licensed status of defendants and others related to criminal prosecutions or administrative actions.
- Prepares and sends Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) to all Type 07 and Type 10 manufacturers who were in business for at least one day of the prior year. The FFLC receives responses via mail and eForms. Hardcopy forms are quality controlled for completion/accuracy and entered into the AFMER database. Delayed annual reports are posted to ATF.gov for public access.
- Offers a call center and email address (FFLC@atf.gov) for public and industry inquiries.
Types of Federal Firearms Licenses:
- Type 01 - Dealer in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
- Type 02 - Pawnbroker in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
- Type 03 - Collector of Curios and Relics
- Type 06 - Manufacturer of Ammunition for Firearms Other Than Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition
- Type 07 - Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
- Type 08 - Importer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices or Ammunition for Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices, or Ammunition Other Than Armor Piercing Ammunition
- Type 09 - Dealer in Destructive Devices
- Type 10 - Manufacturer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition
- Type 11 - Importer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition
Explosives
The Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) issues and renews federal explosives licenses and permits (FEL/FEP) submitted by industry members who manufacture, deal in, import or receive explosive materials.
Title XI of the Organized Crime Control Act (OCCA) of 1970 established ATF’s explosives licensing jurisdiction and the Safe Explosives Act of 2002 amended the OCCA. Consequently, ATF established the FELC as a separate organizational entity to review and act upon applications in accordance with the law and regulations to deny access to individuals who are prohibited by law from receiving and/or possessing explosives.
The FELC performs the following additional functions:
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Receives, enters data, reviews, and processes all new and renewal FEL or FEP applications. Transmits identification data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for required background checks. Depending upon the result of background checks, the FELC either issues letters of clearance or denial. FELC also processes appeals from individuals whose background checks indicate that they are prohibited from receiving or possessing explosives.
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New applications are forwarded to the appropriate field office, which coordinates the field inspection and provides recommendations for final approval. Upon completion of the inspection and notification from the area office, the FELC issues and sends out the license or permit.
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The FELC provides copies of documents for court cases, congressional correspondence, and FOIA requests. In support of ATF investigations, the FELC also provides Blue Ribbon Certification and direct testimony to verify the licensed status of defendants and others related to criminal prosecutions or adverse actions.
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Along with Spartan, a field-managed database, the FELC maintains an official repository and archive of FEL/FEP-related documents and ensures that documents are properly prepared for digital imaging.
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Participates in explosives industry conferences, seminars, and trade shows to promote voluntary compliance within the industry.
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Provides input regarding ATF rulings that clarifies regulations governing the industry’s business practices.
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Provides a call center and email address (FELC@atf.gov) for public and industry inquiries.
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Manufacturer
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Importer
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Dealer
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User of Explosives
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Limited Permit Intrastate Only
| FY | FFL | FEL/FEP |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 108,933 |
11,110
|
| 2008 | 112,943 |
11,208
|
| 2009 | 115,395 |
11,195
|
| 2010 | 118,487 |
10,791
|
| 2011 | 123,587 |
10,565
|
| 2012 | 130,956 |
10,537
|
| 2013 | 139,244 |
10,495
|
| 2014 | 141,116 |
10,455
|
| 2015 | 139,840 |
10,440
|
| 2016 | 137,464 |
10,016
|
| 2017 | 134,738 |
9,815
|
| 2018 | 134,191 | 9,540 |
| 2019 | 130,288 | 9,520 |
| 2020 | 129,792 | 9,411 |
| 2021 | 136,636 | 9,505 |
| 2022 | 134,910 | 9,295 |
| 2023 | 132,383 | 9,248 |
| 2024 | 128,716 | 9,309 |
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives
www.atf.gov
