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
Memorandum of the Pledge to Applicants (388 KB)

The Office of Personnel Management, in conjunction with the Partnership for Public Service, has issued a pledge to those individuals seeking jobs with the Federal Government. The Department  of Justice fully supports this pledge and will strive to fulfill all of its components. To attract talented people to the service of the Nation, we believe the application process should enable rather than deter job seekers. To that end, we will work to ensure a process that reflects these principles.

Careers Report
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - August 1996 (113 KB)
What’s In This Issue: Brady; The Net; New Faces; Address Changes; Improving Firearms Security; Fingerprints; Letters of Authorization; Classification of Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition as Destructive Devices; Processing Applications and Notices Associated with National Firearms Act Weapons Transactions; ATF Distribution Center; Gun Shows; All Dealers Must Display Licenses
Firearms Newsletter
ATF 17F (157 KB) Decision-Making Authority Regarding the Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of a Federal Firearms License, or Imposition of a Civil Fine - The Department of Justice has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) to delegate to the Director of ATF the authority to serve as the deciding official regarding the denial, suspension, or revocation of federal firearms licenses, or the imposition of a civil fine. Under the interim rule, the Director has the flexibility to delegate to another ATF official the authority to decide a revocation or denial matter, or may exercise that authority himself. Because the Director can redelegate authority to take action as the final agency decision-maker to Headquarters officials, field officials, or some combination thereof, such flexibility allows ATF to more efficiently conduct denial, suspension, and revocation hearings, and make the determination whether to impose a civil fine.
 
Rules and Regulations 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
TD-393: Removal of Restrictions on Importation of Defense Articles From Specified New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and To Amend the Term “Military Firearms and Ammunition” (Published: 11/17/97 – Effective: 11/17/97) (34 KB)

This final rule removes the following States of the former Soviet Union from the list of countries from which the import of defense articles into the United States is proscribed: Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The rule also restricts the importation of certain firearms and ammunition located or manufactured in any of the above countries or previously manufactured in the Soviet Union to conform to limitations contained in an agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation and in accordance with advice from the Department of State.

Resource Center Report
TD-391: Definitions for the Categories of Persons Prohibited From Receiving Firearms (Published: 06/27/97 – Effective: 08/26/97) (99 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is amending the regulations to provide definitions for the categories of persons prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms. The definitions will facilitate the implementation of the national instant criminal  background check system (NICS) required under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Resource Center Report
OMB 1140-0101.pdf (214 KB)

Description :Firearms and Explosives Services Division Customer Service Survey –60 day Notice – comment period ends July 21, 2015

Summary :ATF F 5300.38 is used by existing Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) to change the business address of the license and certify compliance with the provisions of the law for the new address. Licensees are required to notify ATF of the intent to move any business premises no later than 30 days prior to the intended move. The form is also used for changes of trade or business name, changes of mailing address, changes of contact information, changes of hours of operation/availability, and allows for licensees to indicate any changes of business structure.

Resource Center Report
ATF Form 5320.20 OMB Number 1140-0010 application to transport interstate or temporarily export certain national firearms act.pdf (207 KB)

Description :Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 60-day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application to Transport Interstate or Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearms

Summary :In response to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 Section 130002(b) as amended in 1996, the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Resource Center Report
ATF Form 7 5310.12 7cr 5310.16 OMB 1140-0018-60.pdf (206 KB)

Description :Application for Federal Firearms License –60 day Notice – comment period ends January 25, 2015

Summary :In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 923(a)(1) each person intending to engage in business as a firearms or ammunition importer or manufacturer, or dealer in firearms shall file an application, pay the required fee with ATF and obtain a license before engaging in business. The information requested on the form will be used to determine eligibility for the license as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 923.

Resource Center Report
netf-et-advisory-public.pdf (298 KB) Baltimore Field Division Joint Press Release - Public Advisory on Exploding Targets (May 29, 2015) News Report
Federal Firearm Licensees Newsletter - September 1995 (245 KB)
What's in this issue: Streamlined Application Process; New Publications; New Faces; Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Temporary Regulations; Firearms Theft; Restraining Orders; Law Enforcement Sales; Before You Move; Final Brady Regulations; Multiple Sales Reports; No Import Permits to Armscor; Licensing Telephone; Restoration of Federal Firearms Privileges; Industry Meetings; SHOT Show
Firearms Newsletter
NFA Advisory to FFLs - Scams Using Fraudulent or Manipulated NFA Registration Documents (22 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is advising the public to be aware of fraudulent National Firearms Act (NFA) tax registration forms being used to sell NFA firearms. Some individuals are presenting altered NFA Form 4’s to prospective buyers in order to obtain a deposit, but never deliver the firearms.

Firearms Report
FFL Newsletter - September 2016 (168 KB)
In this issue: FFL Advisory - Attempted Thefts of Firearms, NFA Trust "41 F", Theft/Loss in Transit Ruling, and much more!
Firearms Newsletter
Advisory Opinion on Licensing for Certain Gun Show Sellers (778 KB)
This letter provides additional guidance on licensing for persons engaged in selling firearms at in-state gun shows.
Firearms Guide
Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide - 2014 Edition (ATF P 5300.4) (3512 KB)

The 2014 edition of the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide contains information that will help you comply with federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition. This edition contains new and amended statutes enacted since publication of the 2005 edition, as well as updated regulations and rulings issued by ATF.

Firearms Guide
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
National Tracing Center - Información para las Oficinas Policiales (ATF P 3312.7 SP) (1146 KB)

¿Qué es la División del Centro Nacional de Rastreo (NTC)?  La División del Centro de Rastreo Nacional (NTC) del Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos es la única organización autorizada a rastrear armas de fuego de fabricación nacional y extranjera para las agencias policiales internacionales, federales, estatales y locales.

Firearms Guide
National Tracing Center – eTrace – Rastreo y Análisis de Armas de Fuego por Internet (995 KB)

¿Qué es eTrace?

ATF extiende su continuo compromiso con la comunidad policial ofreciéndole un sistema de rastreo de armas de fuego sin papel y fácilmente accesible a través de Internet. Este sistema, conocido como eTrace, ofrece las herramientas necesarias para enviar, recuperar, guardar e investigar toda la información relacionada con el rastreo de un arma de fuego que su agencia esté manejando.

Firearms Guide
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - March 2013 - Volume 1 (610 KB)
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2013; ATF Outreach Activities; Best Practices; FBI/NICS News
Firearms Newsletter
ATF Procedure 2013-2 (55 KB)
This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to record the sale of a firearm to an unlicensed person who:
a. Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements;
b. Resides in the same State as the licensee; and
c. Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises
 
Resource Center Guide
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - April 2015 (624 KB)
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2015; New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Outreach Activities; Organizational Change for Firearms; Technology Branch; Automation of CBP Form I-94; Return of Firearms Received for Appraisal; Revised Federal Firearms License (FFL); Renewal Application (ATF Form 8); Reminders: Reporting Deceased Responsible; Persons to the Federal Firearms Licensing; Center and Submission of Original and Renewal Applications; Use of Internal Control Numbers on ATF; Form 6 Part I; Reminder: Reporting Multiple Sales of Handguns or Certain Rifles; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions
Firearms Newsletter
Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances (197 KB)
Licensed manufacturers and importers are required to mark firearms manufactured or imported with specific identifying information.  ATF may authorize other means of identification ("marking variance") upon receipt of a letter application from a licensed manufacturer or importer.
Firearms Guide
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - September 2013 - Volume 1 (626 KB)
What’s in This Issue: Customer Service Standards; Active Federal Firearms License (FFL) Records; Best Practices; ATF Outreach Activities; New Moves in EPS; FBI/NICS News
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - September 2013 - Volume 2 (623 KB)
What’s in This Issue: Private Party Transfers; Updated ATF Website; Top 8 Questions Asked by FFLs on the ATF Website; Use of Computerized Software; Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances; Personal Firearms Record; Updated Most Frequently Asked Questions; eForms News; FFLs May Ship Firearms to Locations Other than the Business Premises Address; National Firearms Act Firearms in Estates; Sales to Law Enforcement; Retention of Registered Machineguns by Licensees Who Discontinue Business
Firearms Newsletter
TD-480: Delegation of Authority (Published: 5/08/02) (50 KB)

This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in its Exportation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, or With Drawback of Tax regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’.

Resource Center Report
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