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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Personal Firearms Record (ATF P 3312.8) (296 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 |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - March 2013 - Volume 2 (591 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Reminder: Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date ; Reminder: eForm 6; Agency Information Collection Activities; Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; Clarification of ATF Ruling 2008–3: Making Corrections to the e4473; Recording Identification Documents on the ATF Form 4473—Military Identification and PCS Orders; Purchase of Firearms by Current or Former Law Enforcement Officers; Recording Pistol Grip Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Manufacturing NFA Firearms for the United States Government; When Permission Is Required To Move NFA Firearms; Recordkeeping Requirements and Retention Requirements for Licensed Manufacturers; Clarification: Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Brokering of Firearms/Drop Shipments
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - July 1986 (299 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: AN OPEN LETTER TO LICENSEES AND OTHERS CONCERNED Stephen E. Higgins, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; PRESIDENT SIGNS NEW GUN LAW; NEWS YOU CAN USE
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1989 Volume 2 (369 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: OUT-OF-STATE AND MAIL ORDER SALES; "STRAW PURCHASES" OF FIREARMS; FIREARMS TRANSACTION RECORDS ON TITLE II TRANSFERS; ATF DISTRIBUTION CENTER; ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION-UPDATE; CHANGE OF CONTROL; FORM 4473 OMISSIONS AND DISCREPANCIES; SALES TO UNDERAGED PERSONS; SPECIAL OCCUPATIONAL TAX; ATF IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS; PERMIT TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS; ASSAULT RIFLES; GUN SHOW GUIDELINES
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - 1992, Volume 2 (353 KB) |
What's in this issue: Manufacturer's Annual Report Form 4483-A; Change of Address; Extension of Terms on Import Permits; Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax; Firearms Sales to Canadian Citizens; Renewal of Your License; List of Armor Piercing Ammunition
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter – August 1997 (564 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: LEGISLATIVE ISSUES; NEW RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASERS; LICENSEE NOTIFICATION; ASSAULT WEAPON RECEIVERS; GOVERNMENTAL EXEMPTION TO SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON BAN; IMPORTATION OF MACHINEGUNS; TRANSFER OF REGISTERED NFA WEAPONS IN A DECEDENT’S ESTATE; RETENTION OF REGISTERED MACHINEGUNS BY LICENSEES WHO DISCONTINUE BUSINESS; MEET THE NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST; GOING OUT OF BUSINESS; WALLET GUNS; IMPROVING SECURITY; ATF’S STOLEN FIREARMS PROGRAM
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter - June 2021 (943 KB) |
What's in this issue: What is a Straw Purchase; Silencer Markings and Registration Requirements; Changes to ATF Form 4473; State of Residence and Identification; NICS Alternative Permits and Age Restrictions; Medical Marijuana and CBD Products; Private Party Sales; Internet Sales; Firearm Raffles; Firearm Registry; Variance Requests and the Approval Process; Special Occupational Tax Requirement – Business Locations; Reminders – Renewals / RPs / FFLC Address / AFMER ; and NFA Forms Processing Times | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
ATF Industry Circular 1985-2: Importation of National Firearms Act Curio and Relic Firearms (691 KB) |
This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
ATF Industry Circular 2003-2: Establishing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (54 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
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 |
|
2020 Firearms Commerce Report (2914 KB) |
2020 Firearms Commerce Report in the United States. | Firearms | Report |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Firearms Commerce in the United States-2011 (873 KB) | Firearms | Report | |
|
Firearms Commerce in the U.S. Annual Statistical Update - 2013 (638 KB) | Firearms | Report | |
|
ATF Guidebook - Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War (4743 KB) |
This publication was prepared by ATF's Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch (FEIB) to assist importers and other firearms industry members in identifying firearms, ammunition, and defense articles that may be imported into the United States and to further clarify and facilitate the import process. | Firearms | Guide |
|
ATF National Firearms Act Handbook (ATF P 5320.8) (10614 KB) |
This handbook is primarily for the use of persons in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in firearms defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) or persons intending to go into an NFA firearms business. It should also be helpful to collectors of NFA firearms and other persons having questions about the application of the NFA. | Firearms | Guide |
|
1985-11-Surplus Military Firearms Frames or Receivers (653 KB) |
This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3). | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1970-14-Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (3268 KB) |
This circular announces the issuance of a new Treasury Department regulation, Part 180 of Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1968-28-Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (2230 KB) |
This circular announces the transfer of the Arms Import Control Program from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1986-8-Curio and Relic Updates (1195 KB) |
This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
|
1986-15-Armor Piercing Ammunition (841 KB) |
This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on August 28, 1986. This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition. | Firearms | Industry Circular |