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.

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
1974-11-Environmental Responsibilities (704 KB)

This circular advises proprietors of their responsibility to ATF with respect to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, and of the possible effects of these requirements upon their activities.

Explosives Industry Circular
1982-8-Discontinuance of ATF Form 5400.3, for Black Powder (660 KB)

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Explosives Industry Circular
2014 USBDC Explosive Incident Report (1969 KB)

The Annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and explosives related incidents and threats from data reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Explosives Report
2016 Explosives Incident Report (1975 KB)
2016 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)
Explosives Report
2018 Explosives Incident Report (EIR) (1759 KB)

2018 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Explosives Report
2019 Explosives Incident Report (1827 KB)

2019 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Explosives Report
2021_explosives_incident_report_eir.pdf (1993 KB)

2021 Explosives Incident Report

Explosives Report
afmer_2021_final_web_report.pdf (168 KB) Explosives Report
afmer_2021_interim_web_report.pdf (256 KB) Explosives Report
All FELs-Feb2009-Open Letter-Explosives Storage Security Reminder (58 KB)

ATF would like to remind all Federal explosives licensees and permittees of the importance of security at their explosives storage sites, and we advise all industry members to take heightened security precautions in light of thefts along the Mexican border.

Explosives Report
ATF 1 (200 KB) Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Public Law 107-296 (Comment period closed June 18, 2003) Explosives Report
ATF 10F (110 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) to clarify that the term ‘‘propellant actuated device’’ does not include hobby rocket motors or rocket-motor reload kits consisting of or containing ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (‘‘APCP’’), black powder, or other similar low explosives.

Explosives Report
ATF 15F (153 KB) Storage of Shock Tube with Detonators - The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by allowing shock tube to be stored with detonators because these materials when stored together do not pose a mass detonation hazard. Shock tube is a small diameter plastic laminate tube coated with a very thin layer of explosive material. When initiated, it transmits a low energy wave from one point to another. The outer surface of the tube remains intact during and after functioning.
 
Explosives Report
ATF 2 (57 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending current regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to remove the requirement that common or contract carriers taking possession of explosive materials for delivery to a licensee or permittee complete ATF Form 5400.8 (Explosives Delivery Record) prior to taking possession of explosive materials, regardless of whether they are hired by the distributor or by the distributee.

Explosives Report
ATF 5 (81 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the current regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to require licensed importers to identify by marking all explosive materials they import for sale or distribution.

Explosives Report
ATF I 5400.4 — Safe Explosives Act Informational Poster (15 KB) After May 24, 2003, you will no longer be able to purchase or receive explosives without a Federal license or permit. This includes explosives purchases within your own State. Explosives Report
Compliance Guidelines for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees (ATF P 5400.23) (286 KB)
This publication outlines and defines the compliance guidelines for federal explosive licensees and permittees, per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
Explosives Guide
Department of Defense Contractor Inspections: ATF Inspection Process (Explosives) (64 KB)
This document provides information on ATF’s compliance inspection process and is intended to help Federal firearms or explosives licensees who are DOD contractors prepare for and participate in an ATF compliance inspection.
Explosives Guide
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
Explosives in Transit (307 KB)
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has regulatory and civil enforcement authority over the transportation of explosive materials in commerce.
Explosives Guide
Explosives Industry Newsletter - August 2015 (406 KB)
What’s in this Issue:  New Acting Director; New Assistant Director, Enforcement; Programs and Services; New Chief of EIPB; Magazine Identification Program; Less Lethal Devices; Fireworks Reminders; NPRM to Remove Reference Note; Marking and Recording Bulk Explosives; Internal Transfers of Explosives; Plywood, Hardwood and ATF Ruling 76-18; Using Commercial Records Explosives Thefts—2013 thru 2014
Explosives Newsletter
Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2009 (1060 KB)
What’s in this Issue: Carson W. Carroll, Assistant Director, Enforcement; Programs and Services, Retires; 2009 Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) Spring Meeting; 2010 International Society of Explosives; Engineers (ISEE) Conference; Type-1 Igloo or “Army-type Structure” Explosives Magazines Day Boxes; Table of Distances and Barricades; Recording Explosive Materials ”Used” Inspection Violations; Black Powder Blanks; Deteriorated Explosives; U.S. Department of Defense Exemption Application to Contractors Storage of Exempt Explosive Materials in Magazines; Notice of Errata; Orange Book Errata; Licensee/Permittee Population
Explosives Newsletter
Explosives Industry Newsletter - December 2010 (770 KB)

What's in this issue?: New Chief of Explosives Industry Programs Branch, New Web Page, Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, ATF Ruling—Storage of Loaded Perforating Gun Assemblies, Dosed Gas Systems,m Federal Explosives Exemptions for U.S. Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies, Fireworks Storage Bins, Marking Requirements and Transfers of Damaged or Defective Display Fireworks, The Federal Explosives Regulations Pertaining to Fuses, and Fuzes Activities Conducted at Remote Storage Facilities, Note to Explosives Importers or User Permittees Importing Explosive Materials, Requirements for Marking Packages, Notification of Explosives Magazine Changes, Faxed or Scanned Copies of Licenses and Permits, Key Federal Agencies with Oversight over Explosives, Explosives Thefts

Explosives Newsletter
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
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
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