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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 2020 Firearms Trace Data: Number of Firearms Sourced and Recovered in the United States and Territories (30 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2020 Firearms Trace Data: Age of Possessor - Firearms Recovered and Traced in the United States and Territories (18 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2020 Firearms Trace Data: Top Calibers Recovered and Traced in the United States and Territories (25 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2020 Firearms Trace Data: Categories Associated with Firearms Recovered and Traced in the United States and Territories (31 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
 ATF eForms 4473 User Manual (3383 KB) |
This user manual is to be used by federal firearms licensees who have downloaded ATF's e4473 form. | Firearms | Guide |
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FY2019 MD715 Affirmative Action Plan (61 KB) |
To capture agencies’ affirmative action plan for persons with disabilities and persons with targeted disabilities, EEOC regulations (29 C.F.R. § 1614.203(e)) and MD-715 require agencies to describe how their affirmative action plan will improve the recruitment, hiring, advancement, and retention of applicants and employees with disabilities. | Careers | Report |
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nics_act_list.7-7-21.pdf (154 KB) |
The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) requires states, as a condition of grant eligibility, to establish procedures to allow persons with disabilities relating to mental health (i.e., prohibiting mental health adjudications or involuntary commitments to a mental institution) to obtain relief from such disabilities for purposes of firearms eligibility. The 33 states in this list have qualified relief of disability programs, under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d)(4), (g)(4), that ATF has approved. | Firearms | Guide |
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Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.7) (753 KB) |
Information for FFLs on how to establish a disaster preparedness plan and key elements to include, as well as links to other disaster preparation resources. | Firearms | Guide |
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Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at Gun Shows (ATF I 5300.23A) (290 KB) |
This notice applies to activities permitted at bona fide gun shows, as defined in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 478.100. Federal firearms licensees ("FFLs" or "Dealers") may only sell firearms at gun shows within the state in which their licensed premise is located. Revised June 2021.
| Firearms | Guide |
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2020 Explosives Incident Report - EIR (1793 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2020 Arson Incident Report - AIR (5300 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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How ATF Traces Firearms (297 KB) |
A firearm is recovered by law enforcement. ATF receives recovery information in e-Trace. Trace reveals origin of firearm manufacturer or importer. Trace leads to the original Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) * FFL manually looks through firearm transaction records to find the first purchaser. ** The first purchaser is identified and the investigative process is initiated. ** 364,000+ trace requests in FY14. * Not all traces may lead to original FFL; sales sometimes lead beyond that to a subsequent FFL. ** First purchaser is not always identified, sometimes traces lead to a more recent purchaser or an unlicensed purchaser. | News | Guide |
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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 |
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How to Conduct a Firearms Inventory, ATF P 5380.2 (207 KB) |
This publication provides guidelines on how to conduct a firearms inventory.
| Firearms | Guide |
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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 |
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Loss Prevention for Firearms Retailers (441 KB) |
Loss prevention for firearms retailers. As a firearms retailer you have a risk of burglary, theft, and loss. This guide will help you evaluate the security of your premises and help you develop a strategy for preventing losses.
| Firearms | Guide |
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Federal Firearms Newsletter - July 2017 (1106 KB) |
What's in this issue: Announcement - ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows | Firearms | Newsletter |
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Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - July 2017.pdf (1106 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Announcement – ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1: Electronic A&D Records; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows.
| Firearms | Newsletter |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Explosives Industry Newsletter-January 2014 (2373 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Meet ATF’s New Director, B. Todd Jones; New Deputy Division Chief; Contingency and Shared Storage; Binary Explosives: Checking Laws; Alternate Identification Markings; Black Powder Lifters; More on Hoods; Underground Storage Reminder; Explosives Disposal; ATF and the Interagency Committee on Explosives; ATF Hosts QRA Workshop; Questions and Answers; Licensee/Permittee Percentages; Licensee/Permittee Population by Type
| Explosives | Newsletter |