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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 State Laws and Published Ordinances (2010-2011) - Virgin Islands (167 KB) | Virgin Islands Firearms Code | Resource Center | Guide |
|
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 |
|
ATF Disclosure Of Firearms Trace Data (ATF P 3312.11) (177 KB) |
This brochure clarifies ATF's disclosure policy regarding trace data.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Police Officer’s Guide to Recovered Firearms (ATF P 3312.12) (1967 KB) |
This guide provides basic information for law enforcement officers who recover firearms in the performance of their duties.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
ATF Firearms Tracing Guide (ATF P 3312.13) (3169 KB) | This booklet will help you understand the firearms trace process. It contains instructions on requesting a trace; understanding trace results; capabilities of comprehensive firearms tracing; and, how to establish a tracing program. | 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 |
|
Bullets, Casings and You (ATF P 3315.2) (4216 KB) | This brochure provides information about ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). With ATF’s NIBIN Program, State and local agencies receive technology that they could likely not afford on their own, as well as the capability to exchange investigative information with other jurisdictions. | Firearms | Guide |
|
Safety and Security Information for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.2) (4296 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 |
|
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 |
|
Publication on National Response Team (ATF P 3510.1) (9227 KB) |
This publication describes the National Response Team (NRT) and its functions and responsibilities. | Resource Center | Report |
|
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 |
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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 Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster (ATF P 5400.16) (921 KB) |
Voluntary Steps for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Publication on Explosives Magazine Construction Requirements (ATF P 5400.17) (526 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) (2005 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 |
|
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 |
|
Protection Orders and Federal Firearms Prohibitions (ATF I 3310.2) (143 KB) |
A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.
| Resource Center | Guide |
|
Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence and Federal Firearms Prohibitions (ATF I 3310.3) (113 KB) |
A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.
| Resource Center | Guide |
|
ATF I 3310.4 — Federal Firearms Prohibitions Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(4) – Persons Adjudicated as a Mental Defective or Committed to a Mental Institution (100 KB) |
Any person who has been "adjudicated as a mental defective" or "committed to a mental institution" is prohibited under Federal law from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing any firearm or ammunition. Violation of this Federal offense is punishable by a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to ten years.
| Resource Center | 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 |