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.

Titlesort ascending Description Category Document Type
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
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
TD-419: Implementation of Public Law 104-132, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, Relating to the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection. (Published:10/14/99 – Effective: 12/13/99) (27 KB)

This final rule implements certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-132).  These regulations implement the law by requiring detection agents for plastic explosives. The final rule also authorizes the use of four specific detection agents to mark plastic explosives and provides for the designation of other detection agents.

Explosives Report
TD-400: This final rule amends regulations to clarify the meanings of terms, increase license and permit fees, eliminate duplication in licensing, relax the licensing requirements for on-site manufacturers, implement a storage notification requirement (104 KB)

This final rule amends regulations to clarify the meanings of terms, increase license and permit fees, eliminate duplication in licensing, relax the licensing requirements for on-site manufacturers, implement a storage notification requirement for manufacturers and other storers of explosives, update the theft/loss hotline number for reporting thefts or losses of explosives, and make minor modifications to regulations on storage.

Explosives Report
Suspicious Packages (ATF P 5400.26) (285 KB)

This publication provides vital safety information to persons and organizations encountering suspicious packages and/or bomb threats.

Explosives Guide
Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosives Permittees and Limited Permittees (ATF P 5400.20) (518 KB)

This publication defines what each Federal explosives permittee and limited permitee must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations, at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Explosives Guide
Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosive Material Manufacturers (ATF P 5400.19) (4772 KB)
This publication identifies what licensed manufacturers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
 
 
Explosives Guide
Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosive Material Importers (ATF P 5400.21) (3763 KB)
This publication defines what each federally licensed importer must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
Explosives Guide
Recordkeeping Requirements for Dealers of Explosive Materials (ATF P 5400.22) (4851 KB)
This publication defines what federally licensed explosives dealers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
Explosives Guide
Publication on Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster (ATF P 5400.16) (986 KB)
Voluntary Steps for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Explosives Guide
Publication on Table of Distance Requirements (ATF P 5400.25) (1190 KB)
This publication provides the location for the Federal explosive regulations that require outdoor explosives storage magazines to be located.
Explosives Guide
Publication on Safety and Security Information for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees (ATF P 5400.15) (1779 KB)
This document provides all members of the explosives industry with the importance of employing security safeguards over explosives materials.
 
Explosives Guide
Publication on Fireworks Reminders (ATF P 5400.24) (1598 KB)
This publication is an overview intended as an aid to compliance with regulatory requirements, not a replacement for the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
Explosives Guide
Publication on Explosives Magazine Construction Requirements (ATF P 5400.17) (476 KB)
This publication provides information on magazine explosives classes and storage requirements.
Explosives Guide
Publication on Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (DSMT) (ATF P 5400.18) (499 KB)
This publication provides information on Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (DSMT), which is a running balance of explosive materials in a magazine and includes a must have listing.
Explosives Guide
Publication of Federal Explosives Laws and Regulations (ATF P 5400.7) (4325 KB)

Also known as the "Orange Book," this documentation provides federal explosives law and regulations and reflects changes and developments in response to the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.

Explosives Report
Notice 9P (187 KB)

Commerce in Explosives – Amended Definition of Propellant Actuated Device - Comments are due on or before November 9, 2006. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice No. 9P.

Explosives Report
Notice 969 (49 KB)

Explosive Pest Control Devices - Comments are due on or before February 28, 2003. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice 969.

Explosives Report
Notice 968 - Additional Corrections (16 KB)

Additional Corrections to Notice 968 - Comments are due on or before April 29, 2003. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Additional Corrections to Notice 968.

Explosives Report
Notice 968 (109 KB)

Commerce in Explosives - Comments are due on or before April 29, 2003. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice 968.

Explosives Report
Notice 956 (55 KB) Identification Markings Place on Imported Explosive Materials and Miscellaneous Amendments - Comments are due on or before January 14, 2003. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice 956. Explosives Report
Notice 933 (46 KB)

Implementation of Public Law 104-208, the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, Relating to a National Repository for Arson and Explosives Information (Pub. 11/15/01) - Comments are due on or before February 13, 2002. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice 933.

Explosives Report
Notice 906 (122 KB)

Identification Markings Placed on Imported Explosive Material (11/13/2000) - Comments are due on or before January 12, 2001. To submit a comment electronically, use http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments by mail or fax, please see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov and enter Notice 906.

Explosives Report
Notice 33P (274 KB) Rules of Practice in Explosives License and Permit Proceedings (2007-5P); Revisions Reflecting Changes Consistent With the Homeland Security Act of 2002. - Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking are due on or before January 5, 2015. To submit a comment electronically, use the http://www.regulations.gov for Notice No. ATF 33P. To submit comments by mail or fax, see the instructions included within the notice. To view all comments and documents associated with this rulemaking, go to Notice No. ATF 33P Explosives Report
Notice 26A (150 KB) Separation Distances of Ammonium Nitrate and Blasting Agents from Explosives or Blasting Agents;(Comment Period closes 12/15/2010) Explosives Report
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