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 ascending Description Category Document Type
NIBIN Newsletter - September 2014 (458 KB)

In this issue: Update - NIBIN Security System and Upgrades; Entering Confirmed and Unconfirmed Hits in IBIS; and Backlogs - The Big "What if..."

Firearms Newsletter
NIBIN Newsletter - March 2015 (413 KB)

At the June 2014 NIBIN User Congress in Phoenix, AZ, the NIBIN Program presented information on three major infrastructure upgrades that were in the works.

Firearms Newsletter
Firearms Newsletter Index (184 KB)

Last updated July 2020.

Firearms Newsletter
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
Federal Firearms Newsletter - July 2017 (1106 KB)

What's in this issue: Announcement - ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows

Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-September 1999 (50 KB)
What’s In This Issue: NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM (NICS) AND THE BRADY HANDGUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT (BRADY); ATF FORM 4473 COMPLETION AND NICS CHECKS; NICS ENROLLMENT BY LICENSEES; SALES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT; ATF FORM 4473 COMPLETION ERRORS AND NICS; NICS AND THE 3-DAY WAIT; NICS AND POTENTIAL “STRAW TRANSACTIONS; LICENSEE FINES, SUSPENSION, AND/OR REVOCATION FOR NICS VIOLATIONS; NICS AND COLLECTORS OF CURIO AND RELIC FIREARMS; SPECIAL NOTICES; NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDCHECK SYSTEM (NICS) NEWS
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-November 2009 (406 KB) What’s In This Issue: Protecting America; ATF Strives to Improve Customer Service Through Online Notification; Pistol Grips and Shotguns; Improving Firearms Security; Here Are Some Reminders for Completing ATF Form 4473; FFL Newsletter Questions; NFA Forms and Their Use; Clarification on Submission of Multiple Handgun Sale Forms: ATF Encourages Support of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-May 2001 (177 KB)
What’s In This Issue: TRANSFERS TO ALIENS INA NONIMMIGRANT STATUS; NEW ADDRESS FOR OUT OF BUSINESS RECORDS CENTER; COMPUTERIZED ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION RECORDS; AUCTIONING FIREARMS; CORPORATE MERGERS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT STATUS OF FEDERAL LICENSES; TRANSFERS OF NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS IN DECEDENT’S ESTATES; IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN FRAMES, RECEIVERS AND BARRELS; QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR; FBI/NICS
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-February 2005 (92 KB) INFORMATION ON NEW ATF FORM 4473; SALES OF FIREARMS TO LICENSED COLLECTORS OF CURIOS AND RELICS; NICS E-CHECK TRANSFER PROCESS; 2005 PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND 24-HOUR OUTAGE; MUZZLE LOADING FIREARMS; PROVIDING A PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE THE NICS TRANSACTION NUMBER (NTN); ARREST MADE IN MURDER OF INKSTER GUN DEALER; SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON (SAW) BAN; IMPORTATION; RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; ASSEMBLY OF NON-SPORTING SHOTGUNS AND SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLES FROM IMPORTED PARTS; NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT; LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS; EFFECT ON STATE LAW; FBI/NICS Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-February 1999 (160 KB)
What’s In This Issue: FFL NEWSLETTER PREVIOUS EDITIONS; CANADIAN FIREARMS ISSUES; ATF DISTRIBUTION CENTER; NICS AND RETURNED FIREARMS ISSUES; AGE RESTRICTIONS ON FIREARMS TRANSACTIONS; MODERN MUZZLELOADING ISSUES; SECURE GUN STORAGE DEVICES AMENDMENT; RELIEF OF DISABILITY INFORMATION; NONRESIDENT ALIEN PROHIBITED PERSON CATEGORY; GUNSHOWS AND EVENTS; SALES OF SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; SALES OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES TO CAMPUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS; LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE MARKINGS; LICENSEES WHO DISCONTINUE BUSINESS; LICENSEE ADDRESS AND MAIL DELIVERY ISSUES
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-December 2002 (203 KB) What’s In This Issue: INS-ISSUED ALIEN NUMBERS AND ADMISSION NUMBERS; CHANGE OF ADDRESS REQUIRES AMENDED LICENSE; PROVIDING COPIES OF ATF FORM 4473 AS PART OF COUPON/REBATE OFFERS; “CONTIGUOUS STATE”; DISTRIBUTION OF EXPLOSIVE PEST CONTROL DEVICES AT GUN SHOWS; ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF ATF FORM 4473; ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF ATF FORM 4473; QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR; NICS DENIALS OF PAWN REDEMPTIONS; TRANSFERS TO ALIENS UNDER A NONIMMIGRANT VISA – AN UPDATE; QUICK ACTION PAYS DIVIDENDS; RECORDING FIREARMS SERIAL NUMBERS; RUSSIAN AIR GUNS AND DUMMY GUNS MANUFACTURED WITH PROHIBITED FIREARM COMPONENT PARTS AND/OR FIREARM RECEIVERS; STREETSWEEPER UPDATE; FBI/NICS Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-August 2005 (978 KB) What’s In This Issue: CERTIFIED FAXED COPIES OF LICENSES; HOW TO REPORT THE THEFT OR LOSS OF A FIREARM; NATIVE AMERICAN IDENTIFICATION CARDS; TEEN GETS LIFE IN PRISON IN MURDER OF INKSTER GUN DEALER; INTERNET SALES OF FIREARMS; FIVE INDICTED ON FIREARMS TRAFFICKING AND DRUG CHARGES; DEALERS IN BLACK POWDER; NON IMMIGRANT ALIENS AND NICS ALTERNATIVE PERMIT; FBI/NICS Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter – August 1998 (35 KB)
What’s In This Issue: NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SYSTEM (NICS); NEW FIREARMS TRANSACTION RECORD; REPORTING MULTIPLE SALES OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS; FIREARMS SALES TO FOREIGN NATIONALS; AGE RESTRICTION REMINDER; RESOLUTION OF MODERN MUZZLE LOADING COURT CASE; NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT (NFA) INFORMATION; LIMITED TO USE AS SALES SAMPLE; IMPORTING INFORMATION; RESTRICTED REGISTRATION –Possession limited to continued compliance with provisions of Public Law 99-308; Applications to Import Sales samples of Machineguns; Semiautomatic Assault Weapons imported temporarily for repair; Applications to import U.S.-origin Significant Military Equipment; Importation of Firearms for Display at Industry Trade Shows; Surplus military curio or relic firearms; FFL OR INTERSTATE THEFT PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION; FFL CONCERNS AND ALERTS;
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
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2 (246 KB)
What’s In This Issue: GUN SHOWS REVISITED; Armed Forces Dual Residency Clarified; YAC STEN MK II Carbine Classified as Machinegun; Remember--It's A Three- Year License Now; Licensee Q's and A's; Court Decisions
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 1 (343 KB)
What’s In This Issue: A MESSAGE TO THE FFL from Stephen Higgins Director of ATF; Firearms License Streamlined; FIREARMS SEMINARS LOOK LIKE A HIT; .22 Caliber Rimfire Ammunition Records Eliminated; Black Powder Form Eliminated; Three Firearms Defined As Machineguns; NEW ORGANIZATION OFFICE OF REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT; ATF SPOTLIGHTS; ATF REORGANIZATION
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 2 (354 KB)
What’s In This Issue: The Director's Column; Curios, Relics Classification Expanded; Stolen Guns Threaten Everyone; News You Can Use
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter September 2011 (727 KB)
What’s In This Issue: Adjudicated “Mentally Defective”; Prohibited Persons and Restoration of Gun Rights Serial Numbers; FBI Flyer: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Firearms Shops and Ranges; Marking of Conversion Devices by Manufacturers; Prohibition on Obliterating, Removing or Changing the Markings on an NFA Firearm; Address for Reports of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers Address; Transferring Firearms from One A&D Record to Another; C&R Licensees: Out-of-Business; Requirements; Are You Moving?; Most Recent Open Letters; On-Site Responsible Persons; Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Looking for Past Newsletters?
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter June 2010 (1195 KB) What’s In This Issue: New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services–Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director; eTrace Claims Of Illegal Gun Owner Registration; Valid Identification Document; Internet Sales; ATF I 5300.2, Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice; State Firearms Freedom Acts; Gun Show Guidelines; ATF Form 6 Import Applications; FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter February 2011 (645 KB) What’s In This Issue: SHOT Show 2011; Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at This Gun Show, ATF I 5300.23a; Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report; Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns; Contiguous State; Hunting Licenses Used as Government Identification; FFL eZ Check: Collectors; Changes in Legal Entity; Special Characters in Serial Numbers; Purchase of Firearms by Organizations; Sole Proprietors and Logging Personal Firearms In/Out of the A&D Records; National Firearms Act: Restrictions Stamped on an NFA Form; FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1992 Volume 1 (700 KB)
What’s in this issue:"Straw Purchases" of Firearms; FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION EXCISE TAX­ HISTORY OF THE PITTMAN­ ROBERTSON ACT; PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES BY GUNSMITHS; REGISTRATION FOR TAX-FREE SALES; CUSTOMER'S TAX LIABILITY FOR RELOADED AMMUNITION; TRANSFER OR DUPLICATION OF SERIAL NUMBERS ON NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS; CALIFORNIA LAW CHANGE ADVISORY; MARKINGS ON FIREARMS; STORAGE OF NFA FIREARMS; SALES OF FIREARMS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; SUPREME COURT RULES ON THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS CASE
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1991 Volume 1 (790 KB)
What’s In This Issue: EXCISE TAX; Multiple Sales Reports; License Revocations; Crime Control Act of 1990; Repairs of NFA Weapons; Discontinuance of Business - Chain Store Operations; Change or Correction of License; Transfers of National Firearms Act Firearms; Discontinuance of Operations as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer, or Importer; Change in Business Structure as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer or Importer; Bureau Headquarters Move; Compliance Inspection Program; FFL Advisory
Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1990 Volume 2 (537 KB)
What’s In This Issue: MP-83 AND MP-22 PISTOLS; MACHINEGUN BAN UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF APPEALS IN FARMER V.HIGGINS; FLORIDA CONVICTIONS; FIREARMS REGULATIONS UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF APPEALS IN NRA V. BRADY; FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES DIVISION PERSONNEL CHANGES; COMPLIANCE INSPECTION PROBLEMS; CERTIFIED COPIES OF LICENSES; EXCISE TAX- UPDATE; GUN SHOW GUIDELINES; PERMIT TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS; INTRATEC RECALL TEC-22 "SCORPION"; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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
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
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