Publications Library

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.

Title Description Category Document Type
Federal Firearms Newsletter - July 2017 (1106 KB)

What's in this issue: Announcement - ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows

Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - July 2017.pdf (1106 KB)
What’s In This Issue:  Announcement – ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1: Electronic A&D Records; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows.
Firearms Newsletter
Department of Defense Contractor Inspections: ATF Inspection Process (Explosives) (64 KB)
This document provides information on ATF’s compliance inspection process and is intended to help Federal firearms or explosives licensees who are DOD contractors prepare for and participate in an ATF compliance inspection.
Explosives Guide
Department of Defense Contractor Inspections: ATF Inspection Process (Firearms) (74 KB)
This document provides information on ATF’s compliance inspection process and is intended to help Federal firearms or explosives licensees who are DOD contractors prepare for and participate in an ATF compliance inspection.
Firearms Guide
Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter - June 2021 (943 KB)

What's in this issue: What is a Straw Purchase; Silencer Markings and Registration Requirements; Changes to ATF Form 4473; State of Residence and Identification; NICS Alternative Permits and Age Restrictions;  Medical Marijuana and CBD Products; Private Party Sales; Internet Sales; Firearm Raffles; Firearm Registry; Variance Requests and the Approval Process; Special Occupational Tax Requirement – Business Locations; Reminders – Renewals / RPs / FFLC Address / AFMER ; and NFA Forms Processing Times

Firearms Newsletter
Tommy Built T36 FAQs 2021-03-15 (117 KB)

FAQs Regarding the Industry Replacement of the Tommy Built Tactical Model T36 Receiver

Resource Center Guide
2021R-05 - Preliminary Regulatory Analysis and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (426 KB) Rules and Regulations Report
ATF Industry Circular 1985-2: Importation of National Firearms Act Curio and Relic Firearms (691 KB)

This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics.

Firearms Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 2003-1: Establishment of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (52 KB)

The purpose of this industry circular is to advise members of the alcohol and tobacco industries that, effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will be responsible for administering the alcohol and tobacco laws noted below and implementing regulations currently administered by ATF.

Alcohol & Tobacco Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 2003-2: Establishing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (54 KB)

The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF.

Firearms Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 89-6: Facsimile Transmitted Copies (1365 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines.

Resource Center Industry Circular
Congressional Budget Submission 2017 (819 KB) About ATF Report
Congressional Budget Submission 2018 (686 KB) About ATF Report
Congressional Budget Submission 2019 (1133 KB) About ATF Report
Congressional Budget Exhibits 2017 (428 KB) About ATF Report
Congressional Budget Exhibits 2018 (267 KB) About ATF Report
Congressional Budget Exhibits 2019 (236 KB) About ATF Report
Explanation of the Hearing Process (336 KB)
This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs). 
Firearms Guide
Employee Possessor (Presentation - Sept. 18, 2020) (272 KB)

This presentation defines an Employee Possessor and provides the procedures for reporting Employee Possessors to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the clearance process, and at what point an employee may possess explosives.

Explosives Guide
Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) (Presentation - Sept. 2020) (326 KB)

This presentation provides an overview of the Federal Explosives Licensing Center’s (FELC)responsibilities for reviewing and processing all new applications for federal explosives licenses and/or permits as well as renewals, the background check process, and ensuring sufficiency of information received.

Explosives Guide
Fireworks (Presentation - Sept. 2020) (1339 KB)

This presentation on fireworks provides an overview of the classification of explosive materials and exemptions under Part 555. The presentation also addresses storage, identifying appropriate Tables of Distances and determining if a variance to deviate from the regulations might be needed.

Explosives Guide
Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk (IMESAFR) (Presentation - September 2020) (1660 KB)

This presentation details the process for requesting a variance for deviating from the explosives regulations through use of a quantitative risk assessment software tool known as ‘Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk.'  The software tool is designed, in part, to evaluate the risks of a fatality from an accident involving stored explosives.

Explosives Guide
Type 3 Magazines (Presentation - Sept. 10, 2020) (262 KB)

This presentation provides an overview of Type 3 magazine construction, reporting requirements and use intended for temporary attended storage on a worksite. 

Explosives Guide
Underground Storage (Presentation - Sept. 18, 2020) (2238 KB)

This presentation provides a history of the implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, the intention of the legislation and the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to regulate the storage of explosives, above ground or underground. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with ATF, the Mine Safety and Health Administration will inspect underground explosives storage sites for compliance with 27 CFR part 555, subpart K, Storage and will cite for any violations.

Explosives Guide
firearms-importation-verification-guidebook--policies-procedures.pdf (554 KB)

ATF Guidebook: Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War: Policies and Procedures

Resource Center Guide
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