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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
ATF P 5300.21: Best Practices: Transfers of Firearms by Private Sellers (165 KB) |
This publication provides best practices in regards to transfers of firearms by private sellers.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Gun Free School Zone Notice (ATF P 5310.1) (934 KB) |
This notice provides information about the laws and public responsibility regarding firearms near to or in school zones.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
National Firearms Act Branch (ATF P 5320.6) (1648 KB) | This brochure provides information about ATF's National Firearms Act (NFA) Branch. | Firearms | Guide |
|
ATF I 5300.2 — Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice (97 KB) |
Federal law prohibits, except in certain limited circumstances, anyone under 18 years of age from knowingly possessing a handgun, or any person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under 18. A knowing violation of the prohibition against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under the age of 18 is, under certain circumstances, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Procedures for Requesting Computerized Bookkeeping Variance (41 KB) | This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance. | 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 |
|
Notice 2014R-50N – Granting of Relief; Federal Firearms Privileges (194 KB) |
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), has been granted relief from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws by the Director of ATF with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms. | Firearms | Report |
|
OMB 1140 - Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles (140 KB) |
The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with emergency review procedures of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. OMB approval has been requested by January 5, 2011. | Firearms | Report |
|
Notice 48N — Granting of Relief; Federal Firearms Privileges (2011R–13T) (172 KB) |
Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc. (NGGECI) (formerly Litton Systems, Inc.), a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), has been granted relief from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws by the Director of ATF with respect to the acquisition, transfer, receipt, shipment, or possession of firearms. | Firearms | Report |
|
Notice 36N — Hearing Procedures Relating to Federal Firearms Licenses (156 KB) |
In this notice, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) advises federal firearms licensees and other interested parties of its current procedures regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. The intended purpose of the notice is to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, revocation, or suspension of a federal firearms license, or the imposition of a civil fine. This notice does not contain any policy guidelines as to whether a notice of denial, revocation, suspension or fine should be issued. | Firearms | Report |
|
Notice 32N — Delegation Order — Authority to Facilitate Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (134 KB) |
This order delegates the authority to exercise the authorities and responsibilities committed to the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, Public Law 110–180 (NIAA). This authority is to establish and enforce the criteria that applicable Federal departments and agencies and states use to create qualifying relief from firearms disabilities programs, to make decisions as to whether applicable Federal departments and agencies and states have properly implemented and certified relief from firearms disabilities programs under the NIAA, and to make any related determinations under the NIAA regarding such relief from firearms disabilities programs. | Firearms | Report |
|
NIBIN Newsletter - March 2015 (413 KB) |
At the June 2014 NIBIN User Congress in Phoenix, AZ, the NIBIN Program presented information on three major infrastructure upgrades that were in the works. | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
NIBIN Newsletter - September 2014 (458 KB) |
In this issue: Update - NIBIN Security System and Upgrades; Entering Confirmed and Unconfirmed Hits in IBIS; and Backlogs - The Big "What if..." | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative Report 2000 (189 KB) | This publication of crime gun data for calendar year 2000 marks the fourth annual compilation of firearms trace analyses since the inception of the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII) in 1996. As the number of communities involved has increased from the original 17 to 55, so has the value of this information as a relevant tool for law enforcement. With this knowledge, communities have formulated sound gun enforcement strategies for proactive use in firearms investigations. This is a direct result of the strong partnerships our agents have forged with every participating agency. Any level of success is impossible without this valued cooperation. | Firearms | Report |
|
Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative Report 1998 (290 KB) | This is the second year that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has published a report on the results of crime gun traces conducted by ATF’s National Tracing Center at the request of Federal, State and local law enforcement officials participating in the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative (YCGII). Publication of this Report serves three of ATF’s critical missions: vigorous investigation of illegal transfers of firearms; assisting State and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing their firearm laws; and informing the public. | Firearms | Report |
|
Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative Report 1997 (279 KB) | The Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative is a 17-city demonstration project aimed at reducing youth firearms violence. Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), police chiefs, local prosecutors, and U.S. attorneys are developing information about illegal trafficking of firearms to young people and new methods of reducing the illegal supply of firearms to them. The initiative was developed by ATF and its National Tracing Center, funded by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Enforcement and the National Institute of Justice, and announced by President Clinton on July 8, 1996. | Firearms | Report |
|
Curios or Relics List - Update January 2009 through June 2010 (223 KB) |
Firearms automatically attain curio or relic (C&R) status when they are 50 years old. Any firearm that is at least 50 years old, and in its original configuration, would qualify as a C&R firearm. It is not necessary for such firearms to be listed in ATF’s C&R list.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - August 1996 (286 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; Multiple Sale Form; ATF Distribution Center; Gun Shows
| 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 |
|
ATF P 5310.2 - Do I need a license to buy or sell firearms? (1401 KB) |
ATF guidance to help the public understand when those who buy and sell firearms must have a federal firearms license.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Explanation of the Hearing Process (1116 KB) |
This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overivew of the hearing process for Federal firearms licensees (FFLs).
| Firearms | Guide |
|
2015 Summary: Firearms Reported Lost and Stolen (853 KB) |
2015 Summary: Firearms Reported Lost and Stolen | Firearms | Report |
|
Curios or Relics List - Update January 2008 through June 2014.pdf (69 KB) |
Firearms automatically attain curio or relic (C&R) status when they are 50 years old. Any firearm that is at least 50 years old, and in its original configuration, would qualify as a C&R firearm. It is not necessary for such firearms to be listed in ATF’s C&R list.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Safety and Security for Firearm Owners (ATF P 5300.22) (391 KB) |
The purpose of firearm safety is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional damage, injury or death caused by improper possession, storage, or handling of a firearm. Firearm owners should handle the firearm safely and protect themselves and the public from the theft, loss or misuse of their firearm.
| Firearms | Guide |