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
Explosives Industry Newsletter - June 2023 (501 KB)

What’s In This Issue: New Chief, EIPB; Importation and Manufacture of Small Arms Ammunition and Components; Importation of Articles Pyrotechnic Marked as Display Fireworks; Indoor Storage in Residences/Dwellings; Open letter – Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Distance Requirements for Ammonium Nitrate Products; Black Powder Exemption Reminder; Less Lethal Munitions Marking Requirements; ATF Ruling 2011-3 Reminder; Government Exemptions; Storage at Correctional Facilities; Q&As; Receiving ATF Website Update Notices

Explosives Newsletter
Explosives Industry Newsletter - November 2001 (578 KB)
What’s In This Issue: A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF, ARSON & EXPLOSIVES PROGRAMS DIVISION; TRANSFERS OF EXPLOSIVES IN-STATE; ATF MEETS WITH ISEE, PGI; FUGITIVE CORNER; CONTACT ATF ON ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION TOPICS; THIRD QUARTER 2001 EXPLOSIVES THEFTS
Explosives Newsletter
Explosives Industry Newsletter-June 2013 (1556 KB)
What’s in This Issue: New Publication; Exploding Ammunition Requirements; Smoke Producing Devices; Reagents; Canadian Type 4 Magazines vs. U.S. Type 2 Magazines; Hardwood or Softwood?; Interior Walls for Type 1 Magazines; Gun Loading Facilities; Horizontally-Mounted Hoods; Indoor Storage Reminders; Recordkeeping Reminders; Permittee Disposal of Surplus Stock; Questions and Answers; Explosives Thefts from 2006 thru 2012
Explosives Newsletter
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 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
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 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 - 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
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
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 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 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 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 – 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-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-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-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-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 2004 (117 KB)

What’s In This Issue: Attorney General Ashcroft Appoints Carl J. Truscott As Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms And Explosives; Contiguous State – Part 2; New Tennessee “Certificate For Driving” Is Not An Acceptable Identification Document; Sales To Military Personnel –Residency Verification; FFL EZ Check System; Retention Period For Importer And Manufacturer Records; Is An Expired Driver’s License A Valid Identification Document?; Transportation Of Firearms; Possession Of Handguns By Persons Who Are Under 21 Years Of Age; 5-Year Period For “Grandfathered” Permits Ends; Firearms Transfers After The Mandatory 3-Business Day Waiting Period Has Elapsed And No Response Has Been Received From NICS; 90-Day Residency Requirement For The Purchase Of Firearms By Nonimmigrant Aliens; Reorganization Of Title 27, Code Of Federal Regulations; What Is A Letter Of Continuing Authorization?; (Sample Letter Of Authorization); Activities Authorized By Licensed Collectors Of Curio Or Relic Firearms; Possible Confusion Regarding How To Import Surplus Military Firearms Or Nonsporting Firearms For Law Enforcement Officers; New Firearms Theft/Loss Reporting Form; 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-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 - March 2006 (182 KB) What’s In This Issue: REVISED ATF FORM 4473 (FIREARMS TRANSACTION RECORD); CHILD SAFETY LOCK ACT OF 2005; NEW ATF PROGRAM IMPACTS THE NATION’S VIOLENT CRIME RATES; NEW FEDERAL FIREARMS REGULATIONS REFERENCE GUIDE; IMPORTATION OF DUAL USE FIREARM BARRELS; RESPONSIBLE PERSONS LISTED ON THE FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE; REPORTING THEFT OR LOSS OF FIREARMS; LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS; ONLINE LEARNING THEATER AVAILABLE TO ALL FFLS; READERS NOTE; FBI/NICS Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - January 2007 (7709 KB)

What’s In This Issue: Federal Firearms License Enhancement; Scanned or emailed copies of federal Firearms Licenses; New email Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees; Violent Crime Impact teams Stop Criminals From Unlawfully Engaging in the Business of Dealing in Firearms; Changes and Improvements to eZ Check; Requirements of Pawn Dealers Performing a Pre-Pawn NICS Check; Results from FY-05 firearms Compliance Inspections; ATF Requirement to Update Licensee Contact Information; ATF Form 4473 Completion and NICS Check; FBI/NICS News

Firearms Newsletter
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - November 2008 (493 KB) What’s In This Issue: SALE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION TO ALIENS; TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION DOES NOT MEET BRADY LAW REQUIREMENTS; CHANGE IN BUSINESS STRUCTURE THAT REQUIRES A NEW LICENSE; TRANSFER OF A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARM TO A CORPORATION OR OTHER LEGAL ENTITY; AVAILABILITY OF ATF PUBLICATION 3312.8 PERSONAL FIREARMS RECORD; ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUN CONTROL ACT; CLARIFICATION ON MULTIPLE SALES REPORTS; NONLICENSEE STATE-TO-STATE TRANSFER; CUSTOMER SERVICE ENHANCEMENTSAT THE FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSING CENTER; TRANSACTIONS IN EXPLOSIVE-TYPE DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES; FBI/NICS News Firearms Newsletter
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