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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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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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 |
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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 |
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firearms-importation-verification-guidebook--policies-procedures.pdf (554 KB) |
ATF Guidebook: Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War: Policies and Procedures | Resource Center | Guide |
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TD 439: Delegation of Authority in Part 170 (Effective: 02/02/01) (88 KB) |
This final rule places all ATF authorities contained in part 170, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by 27 CFR part 170, with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer.’’ also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director. | Resource Center | Report |
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TD-463: Rules of Practice in Permit Proceedings; Recodification of Regulations (Published: 8/15/01) (86 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations pertaining to the rules of practice in permit proceedings. | Resource Center | Report |
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ATF 9F (73 KB) |
This final rule conforms the regulations in 27 CFR Part 447 to the revised International Traffic in Arms Regulations by amending the list of countries from which the importation of defense articles into the United States is proscribed by adding Afghanistan and removing South Africa and some of the states composing the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan). The rule also removes the arms embargo against the countries of Serbia and Montenegro. It also clarifies an outdated reference in the regulations to Zaire, currently known as the ‘‘Democratic Republic of the Congo,’’ and makes a miscellaneous technical amendment to the regulations. | Rules and Regulations | Report |
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TD 446: Technical amendments (Published 3/27/01) (62 KB) |
This Treasury decision makes technical amendments and corrects typographical errors in parts 55, 70, 270 and 275 of title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). | Resource Center | Report |
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Firearms Commerce in the U.S.-Annual Statistical Update 2012 (837 KB) | Resource Center | Report | |
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TD-461: Identification Markings Placed on Firearms (Published: 8/3/01) (85 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is amending the regulations to prescribe minimum height and depth requirements for identification markings placed on firearms by licensed importers and licensed manufacturers. | Resource Center | Report |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Department of the Treasury Study on the Sporting Suitability of Modified Semiautomatic Assault Rifles (4/98) (3396 KB) |
On November 14, 1997, the President and the Secretary of the Treasury ordered a review of the importation of certain modified versions of semi-automatic assault rifles into the United States. The decision to conduct this review stemmed in part from concerns expressed by members of Congress and others that the rifles being imported were essentially the same as semi-automatic assault rifles previously determined to be nonimportable in a 1989 decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The decision also stemmed from the fact that nearly 10 years had passed since the last comprehensive review of the importation of rifles, and many new rifles had been developed during this time. | Resource Center | Guide |
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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 |
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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 |
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North Dakota Firearms Trace Data - 2014 (1600 KB) | This brochure contains trace data related information from January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014. | About ATF | Report |
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Explosives Industry Newsletter-December 2014 (1045 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: New Deputy Assistant Director; Explosives in Transit Webpage; Black Powder Open Letter; How to Address a Loss; Pyrotechnic Hobby Fuse Exemption; Seismic Exploration and Geophysical Operation Requirements; Inventories and Records; No. 8 Blasting Caps; Acquiring, Changing, or Discontinuing an Explosives Business; New Publication; ATF Employees Receive ISEE President’s Award
| Explosives | Newsletter |
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2019 Explosives Incident Report (1827 KB) |
2019 Explosives Incident Report (EIR) | Explosives | Report |
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Definition and Test Procedures for Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer (915 KB) |
This booklet sets forth the and test procedures for ammonium nitrate developed by the Agricultural Nitrogen Institute, a forerunner of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). This booklet does not pertain to blasting agents or other ammonium nitrates. Previous revisions of this booklet by TFI are dated May 1971, and January 16, 1973.
| Resource Center | Guide |
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ATF Industry Circular 77-20: Duplication of Serial Numbers on Imported Firearms (361 KB) |
Importers of Firearms and Destructive Devices: Recently, ATF has noted cases where some importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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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 |
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Explosives Industry Newsletter - June 2016 (420 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: New Division Chief; Bomb Threat and Suspicious Package Publication; Transfer of Unmarked Explosive Materials; Nitrocellulose; Storage in Trailers; Type 2 Magazine Floors and Roofs; Highways; Marijuana Use and Prohibited Persons; Background Investigation and Denial; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed IPECs; Lists of Authorized Persons; Remote Storage Locations and RPs; Seismic and Geophysical Operations¼Continued; 2015 Annual List of Explosives
| Explosives | Newsletter |
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Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2019 (1152 KB) |
What's in this Issue?: FEID Personnel Changes; ATF Field Division Realignment; 27 CFR, Part 555 - Technical Changes; Final Rule Creates Part 771; FEL eZ Check; Preventing Explosives Losses; E-Regulations That Work For You; ATF Explosives Detection Canines; New Mailing Address; Final Rul Removes Reference Note; Explosives Violations; Q&As; Licensee/Permittee Population; Submit a Tip; Explosives Thefts | Explosives | Newsletter |
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Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2019 (226 KB) |
What's in this issue: FEID Personnel Changes; ATF Field Division Realignment; 27 CFR, Part 555 - Technical Changes; Final Rule Creates Part 771; FEL eZ Check; Preventing Explosives Losses; E-Regulations That Work For You; ATF Explosives Detection Canines; New Mailing Address; Final Rule Removes Reference Note; Explosives Violations; Q&As; Licensee/Permittee Population | Explosives | Newsletter |