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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Federal Firearms Licensee Newsletter - 2019 (319 KB) |
What's in This Issue: ATF Personnel Changes; Electronic Storage of ATF Form 4473s; ATF Procedure 2017-1; ATF Form 5; ATF For 4473: Clarification on Disqualifiers Related to Military Service; Electronic Signatures on ATF Forms; NFA Forms Common Errors; ATF FFL Alert System; Replacement Copies of NFA Tax Paid Transfer Forms; FFL Renewals, Updated Form 7 and much more. | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
1986-15-Armor Piercing Ammunition (841 KB) |
This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on August 28, 1986. This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1986-8-Curio and Relic Updates (1195 KB) |
This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1968-28-Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (2230 KB) |
This circular announces the transfer of the Arms Import Control Program from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1970-14-Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (3268 KB) |
This circular announces the issuance of a new Treasury Department regulation, Part 180 of Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1975-1-Penguns Classified as Firearms (902 KB) |
This circular announces the reclassification of small caliber weapons (such as penguns) ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances or pyrotechnic signals, which may be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, as firearms. | Firearms | 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 |
|
1985-11-Surplus Military Firearms Frames or Receivers (653 KB) |
This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3). | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
ATF National Firearms Act Handbook (ATF P 5320.8) (10614 KB) |
This handbook is primarily for the use of persons in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in firearms defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) or persons intending to go into an NFA firearms business. It should also be helpful to collectors of NFA firearms and other persons having questions about the application of the NFA. | Firearms | Guide |
|
ATF Guidebook - Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War (4743 KB) |
This publication was prepared by ATF's Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch (FEIB) to assist importers and other firearms industry members in identifying firearms, ammunition, and defense articles that may be imported into the United States and to further clarify and facilitate the import process. | Firearms | Guide |
|
Florida Firearms Statutes and Codes (728 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
West Virginia Firearms Statutes and Codes (662 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Firearms Commerce in the U.S. Annual Statistical Update - 2013 (638 KB) | Firearms | Report | |
|
Firearms Commerce in the United States-2011 (873 KB) | Firearms | Report | |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - April 2015 (624 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2015; New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Outreach Activities; Organizational Change for Firearms; Technology Branch; Automation of CBP Form I-94; Return of Firearms Received for Appraisal; Revised Federal Firearms License (FFL); Renewal Application (ATF Form 8); Reminders: Reporting Deceased Responsible; Persons to the Federal Firearms Licensing; Center and Submission of Original and Renewal Applications; Use of Internal Control Numbers on ATF; Form 6 Part I; Reminder: Reporting Multiple Sales of Handguns or Certain Rifles; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions
| 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 |
|
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 |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - August 2004 (117 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Attorney General Ashcroft Appoints Carl J. Truscott As Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms And Explosives; Contiguous State – Part 2; New Tennessee “Certificate For Driving” Is Not An Acceptable Identification Document; Sales To Military Personnel –Residency Verification; FFL EZ Check System; Retention Period For Importer And Manufacturer Records; Is An Expired Driver’s License A Valid Identification Document?; Transportation Of Firearms; Possession Of Handguns By Persons Who Are Under 21 Years Of Age; 5-Year Period For “Grandfathered” Permits Ends; Firearms Transfers After The Mandatory 3-Business Day Waiting Period Has Elapsed And No Response Has Been Received From NICS; 90-Day Residency Requirement For The Purchase Of Firearms By Nonimmigrant Aliens; Reorganization Of Title 27, Code Of Federal Regulations; What Is A Letter Of Continuing Authorization?; (Sample Letter Of Authorization); Activities Authorized By Licensed Collectors Of Curio Or Relic Firearms; Possible Confusion Regarding How To Import Surplus Military Firearms Or Nonsporting Firearms For Law Enforcement Officers; New Firearms Theft/Loss Reporting Form; FBI/NICS | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - February 1979 (192 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: REGISTERED FIREARMS AND WEAPONS Certain Firearms And Weapons Must Be Registered with The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Examples Of NFA Weapons; Tax To make Or Transfer An A Weapon, By An Individual; Licensed Collectors Of Curios And Relics; Application To Make Or Transfer An NFA Weapon; Storage Of NFA Weapons; Bringing An NFA Weapon Into The United States; Turning In An Unregistered NFA Weapon; The 1968 Amnesty Period; Penalties
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
National Tracing Center – eTrace – Internet-based Firearms Tracing and Analysis (ATF P 3312.9) (998 KB) |
ATF provides a paperless firearm trace submission system that is readily accessible through the internet known as eTrace. It provides the necessary utilities for submitting, retrieving, storing, and querying all firearms trace related information.
| 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 |
|
Firearms Newsletter Index.pdf (184 KB) | This document provides information about the date of the applicable newsletters and specific topic found within those newsletters. | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Wisconsin Firearms Statutes and Codes (603 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Washington Firearms Statutes and Codes (630 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |
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Alaska Firearms Statutes and Codes (300 KB) |
Firearms Statutes and Codes.
| Firearms | Guide |