Publications

ATF has had outreach programs in place for more than 10 years, beginning with the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program and expanding to include industry outreach and interaction with other professional organizations.  Each year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen.  The owners’ ability to adequately identify these firearms is central to law enforcement’s ability to investigate these crimes and losses.  Insurance claims and reacquisition of recovered firearms will also hinge on the ability to correctly identify these firearms.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

Each year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen.  The owners’ ability to adequately identify these firearms is central to law enforcement’s ability to investigate these crimes and losses.  Insurance claims and reacquisition of recovered firearms will also hinge on the ability to correctly identify these firearms.  Keep this list separate from your firearms to assist police in the event your firearms are ever lost or stolen.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022

Also known as the "Orange Book," this documentation provides federal explosives law and regulations and reflects changes and developments in response to the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.

Published/Revised: August 7, 2019

This publication provides information on Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (DSMT), which is a running balance of explosive materials in a magazine and includes a must have listing.

Published/Revised: August 21, 2020

This publication provides information on magazine explosives classes and storage requirements.

Published/Revised: July 20, 2020

Voluntary steps for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.

Published/Revised: March 1, 2011

This publication defines what federally licensed explosives dealers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised: January 1, 2012

This publication identifies what licensed manufacturers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.    

Published/Revised: October 1, 2011

This order outlines procedures for providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or job applicants of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Published/Revised: September 13, 2018

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. 

Published/Revised: November 12, 2019

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.

Published/Revised: December 1, 2014

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. Last revised September 2014.

Published/Revised: September 1, 2014

ATF has provided helpful hints for eForms users.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

This user manual is to be used by federal firearms licensees who have downloaded ATF's e4473 form. Last updated Dec. 2, 2020.

Published/Revised: December 2, 2020

The quick reference guide is for federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who are using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

This quick reference guide is to be given to an individual to assist them in using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

This document provides detailed information about the NFEA courses. 

Published/Revised: March 4, 2024

A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.

Published/Revised: September 1, 2011

Loss prevention for firearms retailers. As a firearms retailer you have a risk of burglary, theft, and loss. This guide will help you evaluate the security of your premises and help you develop a strategy for preventing losses. Last updated January 2016.

Published/Revised: January 1, 2016

This guide covers persons who have been convicted in any court of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) are generally prohibited under Federal law from receiving or possessing any firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2024

We’ve put together this guide to educate federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to facilitate private party sales of firearms. When individuals decide to use FFLs to facilitate the private sale of their firearms, it can enhance public safety, assist law enforcement, and help ensure firearms end up only in the hands of those who are legally allowed to possess them.

Published/Revised: February 28, 2024

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.  

Published/Revised: June 1, 2021

The Freedom of Information Act allows any person to request information about organizations, businesses, investigations, historical events, incidents, groups, or deceased persons. You may use this document to identify the category of request into which your request falls.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2020

Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Any person who has been "adjudicated as a mental defective" or "committed to a mental institution" is prohibited under Federal law from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing any firearm or ammunition. Violation of this Federal offense is punishable by a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to ten years.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2009