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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk (IMESAFR) (Presentation - September 2020) (1660 KB) |
This presentation details the process for requesting a variance for deviating from the explosives regulations through use of a quantitative risk assessment software tool known as ‘Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk.' The software tool is designed, in part, to evaluate the risks of a fatality from an accident involving stored explosives. | Explosives | Guide |
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General Variance Requests (Presentation - Sept. 10, 2020) (2756 KB) |
This presentation details when a variance to deviate from the explosives regulations may be requested, to whom they may be issued, where to direct such requests and documentation from the requestor to assist in evaluation of those requests. | Explosives | Guide |
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Fireworks (Presentation - Sept. 2020) (1339 KB) |
This presentation on fireworks provides an overview of the classification of explosive materials and exemptions under Part 555. The presentation also addresses storage, identifying appropriate Tables of Distances and determining if a variance to deviate from the regulations might be needed. | Explosives | Guide |
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Employee Possessor (Presentation - Sept. 18, 2020) (272 KB) |
This presentation defines an Employee Possessor and provides the procedures for reporting Employee Possessors to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the clearance process, and at what point an employee may possess explosives. | Explosives | Guide |
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Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) (Presentation - Sept. 2020) (326 KB) |
This presentation provides an overview of the Federal Explosives Licensing Center’s (FELC)responsibilities for reviewing and processing all new applications for federal explosives licenses and/or permits as well as renewals, the background check process, and ensuring sufficiency of information received. | Explosives | Guide |
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Facilitating Private Sales: A Federal Firearms Licensee Guide (2397 KB) |
We’ve put together this guide to educate federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to facilitate private party sales of firearms. When individuals decide to use FFLs to facilitate the private sale of their firearms, it can enhance public safety, assist law enforcement, and help ensure firearms end up only in the hands of those who are legally allowed to possess them. | Firearms | Guide |
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Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - January 2007 (7709 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Federal Firearms License Enhancement; Scanned or emailed copies of federal Firearms Licenses; New email Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees; Violent Crime Impact teams Stop Criminals From Unlawfully Engaging in the Business of Dealing in Firearms; Changes and Improvements to eZ Check; Requirements of Pawn Dealers Performing a Pre-Pawn NICS Check; Results from FY-05 firearms Compliance Inspections; ATF Requirement to Update Licensee Contact Information; ATF Form 4473 Completion and NICS Check; FBI/NICS News | Firearms | Newsletter |
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2019 Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) (4574 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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Explanation of the Hearing Process (336 KB) |
This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs).
| Firearms | Guide |
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FFL Theft/Loss Report - All States - 2017 (284 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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Ohio Published Ordinances M-Z 6-12-19 (1726 KB) | Firearms | Guide | |
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Ohio Published Ordinances A-L 6-12-19 (1770 KB) | Firearms | Guide | |
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2018 USBDC Arson Incident Report (6708 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2016 USBDC Arson Incident Report (3170 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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2020 Firearms Commerce Report (2914 KB) |
2020 Firearms Commerce Report in the United States. | Firearms | Report |
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2015 USBDC Explosive Incident Report (1490 KB) |
The annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and explosives related incident and threat from information reported to the United States Bomb Data Center through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS). | Rules and Regulations | Report |
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Congressional Budget Exhibits 2019 (236 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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Congressional Budget Exhibits 2018 (267 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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Congressional Budget Exhibits 2017 (428 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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Congressional Budget Submission 2019 (1133 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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Congressional Budget Submission 2018 (686 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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Congressional Budget Submission 2017 (819 KB) | About ATF | Report | |
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ATF Industry Circular 89-6: Facsimile Transmitted Copies (1365 KB) |
The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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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 |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-1: Establishment of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (52 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise members of the alcohol and tobacco industries that, effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will be responsible for administering the alcohol and tobacco laws noted below and implementing regulations currently administered by ATF. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |