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 Licensees Newsletter-November 2009 (406 KB) What’s In This Issue: Protecting America; ATF Strives to Improve Customer Service Through Online Notification; Pistol Grips and Shotguns; Improving Firearms Security; Here Are Some Reminders for Completing ATF Form 4473; FFL Newsletter Questions; NFA Forms and Their Use; Clarification on Submission of Multiple Handgun Sale Forms: ATF Encourages Support of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter June 2010 (1195 KB) What’s In This Issue: New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services–Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director; eTrace Claims Of Illegal Gun Owner Registration; Valid Identification Document; Internet Sales; ATF I 5300.2, Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice; State Firearms Freedom Acts; Gun Show Guidelines; ATF Form 6 Import Applications; FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter February 2011 (645 KB) What’s In This Issue: SHOT Show 2011; Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at This Gun Show, ATF I 5300.23a; Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report; Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns; Contiguous State; Hunting Licenses Used as Government Identification; FFL eZ Check: Collectors; Changes in Legal Entity; Special Characters in Serial Numbers; Purchase of Firearms by Organizations; Sole Proprietors and Logging Personal Firearms In/Out of the A&D Records; National Firearms Act: Restrictions Stamped on an NFA Form; FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter September 2011 (727 KB)
What’s In This Issue: Adjudicated “Mentally Defective”; Prohibited Persons and Restoration of Gun Rights Serial Numbers; FBI Flyer: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Firearms Shops and Ranges; Marking of Conversion Devices by Manufacturers; Prohibition on Obliterating, Removing or Changing the Markings on an NFA Firearm; Address for Reports of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers Address; Transferring Firearms from One A&D Record to Another; C&R Licensees: Out-of-Business; Requirements; Are You Moving?; Most Recent Open Letters; On-Site Responsible Persons; Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Looking for Past Newsletters?
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - November 2012 (1254 KB)
What's in this issue: Customer Service Standards; Reminder: Top 10 Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers; Receive Firearms Industry News; Electronic Devices Used to Verify Change of Address; Government Issued Documents Bearing an Incorrect Zip Code; PCS Orders and Military Dependents Purchasing Firearms; Licensed Manufacturer's Registration Requirement with the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Control (DDTC); Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Ethnicity and Race on the ATF Form 4473; Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Out-of-Business Procedures; Out-of-Business with Succession; Residence as a Licensed Business Premises; New Move in EPS; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions; FBI NICS News
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 2 (354 KB)
What’s In This Issue: The Director's Column; Curios, Relics Classification Expanded; Stolen Guns Threaten Everyone; News You Can Use
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 1 (343 KB)
What’s In This Issue: A MESSAGE TO THE FFL from Stephen Higgins Director of ATF; Firearms License Streamlined; FIREARMS SEMINARS LOOK LIKE A HIT; .22 Caliber Rimfire Ammunition Records Eliminated; Black Powder Form Eliminated; Three Firearms Defined As Machineguns; NEW ORGANIZATION OFFICE OF REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT; ATF SPOTLIGHTS; ATF REORGANIZATION
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2 (246 KB)
What’s In This Issue: GUN SHOWS REVISITED; Armed Forces Dual Residency Clarified; YAC STEN MK II Carbine Classified as Machinegun; Remember--It's A Three- Year License Now; Licensee Q's and A's; Court Decisions
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - May 2012 (241 KB)
What’s in This Issue: Customer Service Standards; SHOT Show 2012; Multiple Trade Name Policy; Hunting Licenses Issued by Retailers; Binary Exploding Targets; Completion of Section A of ATF Form 4473 Out-of-State Driver’s License Used as an Identification Document; REAL ID Act of 2005; Recording Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Guide to Requesting Marking Variances; Firearms Commerce in the United States 2011; Looking for Past Newsletters?; FBI NICS Information
Firearms Newsletter
National Tracing Center – Information for Industry Members (ATF P 3312.10) (314 KB)
This is an informational pamphlet for Federal firearms licensees (FFL) to provide you information about ATF's Out-of-Business Records Center, the Multiple Sales forms, and reporting theft or loss of firearms from inventory. 
Firearms Guide
National Tracing Center – Information for Law Enforcement Agencies (ATF P 3312.7) (200 KB)
What is the National Tracing Center Division (NTC)? The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) National Tracing Center Division (NTC) is the only organization authorized to trace U.S. and foreign manufactured firearms for international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 
Firearms Guide
Personal Firearms Record (ATF P 3312.8) (361 KB)

By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.

Firearms Guide
Safety and Security Information for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.2) (1809 KB)

This booklet provides safety and security information for federal firearms licensees (FFL) and their businesses. In this booklet you will find information pertaining to ATF's stolen firearms program, steps for reducing your vulnerability to theft or loss, properly identifying and recording firearms information, recording suspicious person descriptions and how to report a theft or loss of firearms inventory. 

Firearms Guide
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - August 1996 (113 KB)
What’s In This Issue: Brady; The Net; New Faces; Address Changes; Improving Firearms Security; Fingerprints; Letters of Authorization; Classification of Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition as Destructive Devices; Processing Applications and Notices Associated with National Firearms Act Weapons Transactions; ATF Distribution Center; Gun Shows; All Dealers Must Display Licenses
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearm Licensees Newsletter - September 1995 (245 KB)
What's in this issue: Streamlined Application Process; New Publications; New Faces; Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Temporary Regulations; Firearms Theft; Restraining Orders; Law Enforcement Sales; Before You Move; Final Brady Regulations; Multiple Sales Reports; No Import Permits to Armscor; Licensing Telephone; Restoration of Federal Firearms Privileges; Industry Meetings; SHOT Show
Firearms Newsletter
NFA Advisory to FFLs - Scams Using Fraudulent or Manipulated NFA Registration Documents (22 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is advising the public to be aware of fraudulent National Firearms Act (NFA) tax registration forms being used to sell NFA firearms. Some individuals are presenting altered NFA Form 4’s to prospective buyers in order to obtain a deposit, but never deliver the firearms.

Firearms Report
FFL Newsletter - September 2016 (168 KB)
In this issue: FFL Advisory - Attempted Thefts of Firearms, NFA Trust "41 F", Theft/Loss in Transit Ruling, and much more!
Firearms Newsletter
Advisory Opinion on Licensing for Certain Gun Show Sellers (778 KB)
This letter provides additional guidance on licensing for persons engaged in selling firearms at in-state gun shows.
Firearms Guide
Silencer Destruction Diagram (408 KB)

To meet the requirement for removal from GCA and NFA provisions, ATF has previously explained that acceptable methods of destruction include completely melting, shredding, or crushing the firearm silencer. View more information on how to properly destroy a silencer.

Firearms Guide
AFMER 2020 Final Web Report (398 KB)

Excel spreadsheet with final 2020 AFMER report data.

Firearms Report
January 2022 - Firearms Compliance Inspection Results (13 KB)

January 2022 compliance inspection results.

Firearms Report
inspection_results_worksheet_december_2021.xlsx (13 KB)

Firearms Compliance Inspection Statistics December 2021

Firearms Report
October 2021 - Firearms Compliance Inspection Results (13 KB)

View all firearms compliance inspection results

Firearms Report
November 2021 - Firearms Compliance Inspection Results (13 KB)

View all firearms compliance inspection results

Firearms Report
eForms New Users First Time Login (1365 KB) Firearms Guide
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