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 They may also be rescinded or modified at ATF’s discretion.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
Arizona Firearms Statutes and Codes (436 KB)

From the 34th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5)

Firearms Guide
American Samoa Firearms Statutes and Codes (188 KB)

From the 34th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5)

Firearms Guide
Ohio Firearms Statutes and Codes (6054 KB)

From the 34th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5)

Firearms Guide
Alaska Firearms Statutes and Codes (272 KB)

From the 34th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5)

Firearms Guide
Alabama Firearms Statutes and Codes (470 KB)

From the 34th Edition of State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5)

Firearms Guide
Firearms Newsletter Index (184 KB)

Last updated July 2020.

Firearms Newsletter
California Municipal Firearms Statutes and Codes - A through L (1639 KB) Firearms Guide
California Municipal Firearms Statutes and Codes - M through Z (2040 KB) Firearms Guide
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
Federal Firearms Telephone Directory (276 KB) Contact numbers for the Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) for every State, Customer Service, Corporate Accounts, and Refund Inquiries.  Firearms Guide
ATF eForms 4473 User Manual (3383 KB)

This user manual is to be used by federal firearms licensees who have downloaded ATF's e4473 form. 

Firearms Guide
nics_act_list.7-7-21.pdf (154 KB)

The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) requires states, as a condition of grant eligibility, to establish procedures to allow persons with disabilities relating to mental health (i.e., prohibiting mental health adjudications or involuntary commitments to a mental institution) to obtain relief from such disabilities for purposes of firearms eligibility. The 33 states in this list have qualified relief of disability programs, under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d)(4), (g)(4), that ATF has approved.

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
Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.7) (753 KB)

Information for FFLs on how to establish a disaster preparedness plan and key elements to include, as well as links to other disaster preparation resources.

Firearms Guide
Safety and Security Information for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF P 3317.2) (1809 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
Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at Gun Shows (ATF I 5300.23A) (290 KB)
This notice applies to activities permitted at bona fide gun shows, as defined in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 478.100. Federal firearms licensees ("FFLs" or "Dealers") may only sell firearms at gun shows within the state in which their licensed premise is located. Revised June 2021.
 
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
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 1 (610 KB)
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2013; ATF Outreach Activities; Best Practices; FBI/NICS News
Firearms Newsletter
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
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 - 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 1990 Volume 1 (471 KB)
What’s In This Issue: FACSIMILE TRANSMITTED COPIES OF FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS; FFL TOLL-FREE INFORMATION; SALES AGENTS; OUT·OF-STATE FFL'S; FALSIFIED FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSES; MANUFACTURER'S ANNUAL REPORT FORM 4483-A; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Firearms Newsletter
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