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. ATF publications do not have the force and effect of federal statutes or Department of Justice regulations, and are not final agency actions. They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.
For more information, see “Memorandum for All Components: Prohibition of Improper Guidance Documents,” from Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions III, November 16, 2017.
Title |
Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
Department of the Treasury Study on the Sporting Suitability of Modified Semiautomatic Assault Rifles (4/98) (3396 KB) |
On November 14, 1997, the President and the Secretary of the Treasury ordered a review of the importation of certain modified versions of semi-automatic assault rifles into the United States. The decision to conduct this review stemmed in part from concerns expressed by members of Congress and others that the rifles being imported were essentially the same as semi-automatic assault rifles previously determined to be nonimportable in a 1989 decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The decision also stemmed from the fact that nearly 10 years had passed since the last comprehensive review of the importation of rifles, and many new rifles had been developed during this time. | Resource Center | Guide |
|
Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.7) (2450 KB) |
This guide provides basic information for law enforcement officers who recover firearms in the performance of their duties.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
District of Columbia Firearms Statutes and Codes (365 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
District of Columbia Firearms Trace Data – 2014 (1854 KB) |
This brochure contains trace data related information from January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014. | About ATF | Report |
|
Dixie Homes Gang Members Indicted on Drug Conspiracy Charges (435 KB) |
MEMPHIS, TN – June 18, 2015 – Four members of the Dixie Homes Murda Gang/47 Neighborhood Crips have been indicted on drug-trafficking charges, an operation allegedly directed by one member even while he was behind bars, Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said Thursday. | News | Report |
|
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 |
|
Explanation of the Hearing Process (1116 KB) |
This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs).
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Explosive Industry Newsletter-June 2013 (1556 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: New Publication; Exploding Ammunition Requirements; Smoke Producing Devices; Reagents; Canadian Type 4 Magazines vs. U.S. Type 2 Magazines; Hardwood or Softwood?; Interior Walls for Type 1 Magazines; Gun Loading Facilities; Horizontally-Mounted Hoods; Indoor Storage Reminders; Recordkeeping Reminders; Permittee Disposal of Surplus Stock; Questions and Answers; Explosives Thefts from 2006 thru 2012
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosive Industry Newsletter-June 2016 Addendum (73 KB) |
ATF’s June 2016 Explosives Industry Newsletter included a brief discussion of Nitrocellulose, and attempted to clarify the circumstances under which wetted Nitrocellulose is considered a high explosive under 27 CFR, Part 555. As with all explosives, ATF’s focus is on the potential public safety risks associated with materials that can be misused or diverted to unlawful purposes. Subsequent contact from industry members who import, transport, store or employ wetted Nitrocellulose in the production of ammunition, however, has brought to our attention issues that were not fully addressed in the Newsletter and require further consultation and consideration with the industry. Accordingly, ATF has and will conduct further industry outreach concerning wetted Nitrocellulose. In the interim, previously authorized industry practices concerning wetted Nitrocellulose will not be affected.
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives in Transit (307 KB) |
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has regulatory and civil enforcement authority over the transportation of explosive materials in commerce.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - August 2015 (406 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: New Acting Director; New Assistant Director, Enforcement; Programs and Services; New Chief of EIPB; Magazine Identification Program; Less Lethal Devices; Fireworks Reminders; NPRM to Remove Reference Note; Marking and Recording Bulk Explosives; Internal Transfers of Explosives; Plywood, Hardwood and ATF Ruling 76-18; Using Commercial Records Explosives Thefts—2013 thru 2014
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2009 (1060 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: Carson W. Carroll, Assistant Director, Enforcement; Programs and Services, Retires; 2009 Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) Spring Meeting; 2010 International Society of Explosives; Engineers (ISEE) Conference; Type-1 Igloo or “Army-type Structure” Explosives Magazines Day Boxes; Table of Distances and Barricades; Recording Explosive Materials ”Used” Inspection Violations; Black Powder Blanks; Deteriorated Explosives; U.S. Department of Defense Exemption Application to Contractors Storage of Exempt Explosive Materials in Magazines; Notice of Errata; Orange Book Errata; Licensee/Permittee Population
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2019 (226 KB) |
What's in this issue: FEID Personnel Changes; ATF Field Division Realignment; 27 CFR, Part 555 - Technical Changes; Final Rule Creates Part 771; FEL eZ Check; Preventing Explosives Losses; E-Regulations That Work For You; ATF Explosives Detection Canines; New Mailing Address; Final Rule Removes Reference Note; Explosives Violations; Q&As; Licensee/Permittee Population | Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2019 (1152 KB) |
What's in this Issue?: FEID Personnel Changes; ATF Field Division Realignment; 27 CFR, Part 555 - Technical Changes; Final Rule Creates Part 771; FEL eZ Check; Preventing Explosives Losses; E-Regulations That Work For You; ATF Explosives Detection Canines; New Mailing Address; Final Rul Removes Reference Note; Explosives Violations; Q&As; Licensee/Permittee Population; Submit a Tip; Explosives Thefts | Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - July 2017 (238 KB) |
What's in this issue: Updated Safety and Security Publication; Structures Used for Indoor Storage; Firework Processes and Manufacturing; Distribution Dates; Identification of Explosive Materials; Q&As; How to read an Explosive License or Permit Number; and List of Active Explosives Rulings.
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - June 2016 (420 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: New Division Chief; Bomb Threat and Suspicious Package Publication; Transfer of Unmarked Explosive Materials; Nitrocellulose; Storage in Trailers; Type 2 Magazine Floors and Roofs; Highways; Marijuana Use and Prohibited Persons; Background Investigation and Denial; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed IPECs; Lists of Authorized Persons; Remote Storage Locations and RPs; Seismic and Geophysical Operations¼Continued; 2015 Annual List of Explosives
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - September 2008 (1525 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll Named Assistant Director (Enforcement Programs and Services); Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; Two New Field Divisions; New “Orange Book”; New Headquarters Building; Storage Rulings; Fireworks Recordkeeping and Marks of Identification; Information Resources; Variance Request Guidelines; Determination Request Guidelines; Who Should Complete a Theft or Loss Report?; Exemption Request Guidelines; 2007 Explosives Thefts
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter December 2012 (2782 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: New Explosives Industry Programs Branch Chief; ATF Explosives Industry Meeting in Washington; ATF Ruling 2012-5 Type 4 Wood Floors; Signage and Placarding at Regulated Mining Sites; Explosives Violations; Applying Tables of Distances at 555.218 and 555.220; Type 19 Licensed Activities; Recording Packaged Displays in the DSMT; Questions and Answers; EIPB at the AFSL Display Fireworks Seminar in China
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter June 2011 (2200 KB) |
What’s in this issue: New Web Pages and Publication; Display Fireworks Materials Exemption for Federally Recognized Indian Tribes; Fireworks and Black Powder; ATF Ruling 2011-2 Storage in Type 5 Bins and Silos; Mortise Locks and Cylindrical Dead Bolt Locks; Recordkeeping Exception at 27 CFR 555.123(d); Pressure Gas Systems; Indoor Magazines Stored Inside Containers and Trailers; Educational Institution Exemptions and Students; Prohibited Person Reminder; A Reminder about Special Explosive Device Exemptions; Acting Director Expresses ATF Gratitude; Explosives Thefts from 2006 through 2010
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter- December 2011.pdf (2137 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: New Acting Director of ATF; New Publications; Open Letter—Definition of Display Fireworks; ATF Ruling 2011-3, Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines; Non-sparking Metals; Attended “Day Box” Reminders; Smokeless Powder Exemption; Binary Exploding Targets; Binary Explosives Security; Certain Pest Control Devices Exempted as “Articles Pyrotechnic”; Hobby Pyrotechnics in a Regulated Environment; Explosives Licensing and Transfers; Reporting RPs and Eps; U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Yearbook
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter- May 2003 (197 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: SPECIAL EDITION; SAFE EXPLOSIVES ACT OF 2002; SAFE EXPLOSIVES ACT OF 2002; CHANGES WITHIN ATF RESULTING FROM THE SIGNING OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY BILL; FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS; THE NEW FEDERAL EXPLOSIVES LICENSE AND PERMIT APPLICATION; OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS; APPLICATION FOR RESTORATION OF EXPLOSIVES PRIVILEGES; CHANGES WITHIN ATF RESULTING FROM THE SIGNING OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY BILL; THE NEW FEDERAL EXPLOSIVES LICENSE AND PERMIT APPLICATION
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter--November 2001 (578 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF, ARSON & EXPLOSIVES PROGRAMS DIVISION; TRANSFERS OF EXPLOSIVES IN-STATE; ATF MEETS WITH ISEE, PGI; FUGITIVE CORNER; CONTACT ATF ON ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION TOPICS; THIRD QUARTER 2001 EXPLOSIVES THEFTS
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-August 2000 (160 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: THE NEW ATF STRUCTURE; ATF PUBLISHES FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER; AMENDMENT TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO EASE BURDEN FOR ON-SITE MANUFACTURERS; STORAGE REQUIREMENTS—DISPLAY FIREWORKS; CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE 4 MAGAZINES CLARIFIED; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR; REMINDER!!; U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD; DISPOSING OF DETERIORATED EXPLOSIVES; ATF REACHES INDUSTRY MEMBERS VIA INTERNET
| Explosives | Newsletter |