Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Publications

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.

Document Type Description Category
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Improper Recommendations - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(2) [PDF - 739.04 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(2). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Nondisclosure Forms, Policies & Agreements – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13) [PDF - 299.42 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Influencing Withdrawal From Competition - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5) [PDF - 683.42 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. 

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Granting an Unauthorized Preference - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(6) [PDF - 573.37 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(6). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Obstructing Right to Compete - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(4) [PDF - 500.38 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(4). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Making a Protected Disclosure – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) [PDF - 286.79 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Violating Merit System Principles – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12) [PDF - 281.66 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9) [PDF - 299.12 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. 

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Accessing Medical Records – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14) [PDF - 297.67 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Coercing Political Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3) [PDF - 280.79 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Violating Veterans’ Preference - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11) [PDF - 502 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Information Sheet: Whistleblower Information For Employees of DOJ Contractors, Subcontractors, Grantees, Subgrantees, or Personal Services Contractors [PDF - 420.35 KB]

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General information sheet on whistleblower information for employees of DOJ contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, or personal services contractors.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Fact Sheet - National Tracing Center (NTC) - How Does It Work? [PDF - 206.32 KB]

ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC) identifies shooters within hours of mass casualty events. It dismantles trafficking networks moving weapons to cartels and foreign criminal organizations. It gives investigators the lead they need when no other lead exists. Read the full fact sheet to learn more about how the NTC works.

Published/Revised: May 14, 2026

Firearms
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Nepotism - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(7) [PDF - 496.04 KB]

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(7). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Discrimination – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(10) [PDF - 262.1 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(10). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Discrimination – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(1) [PDF - 265.85 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(1). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Information Sheet: Your Rights When Reporting Wrongs [PDF - 340.68 KB]

U.S. Office of Special Counsel information sheet on disclosures of wrongdoing, prohibited personnel practices, and MSPB appeals. Last updated 2026. 

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Information Sheet: Your Rights as a Federal Employee [PDF - 548.42 KB]

U.S. Office of Special Counsel information sheet on prohibited personnel practices. Last updated 2026.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Regulatory 2020 - April - Public Advisory - Business Premises Guidance [PDF - 271.68 KB]

Letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in response to questions from industry members regarding the legality of firearm sales and deliveries exterior to the brick-and-mortar structure at which the firearms business is licensed, in light of the March 13, 2020, declaration of a national emergency concerning the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the Department of Homeland Security's subsequent classification of firearms businesses as essential.

Published/Revised: April 10, 2020

Firearms
Regulatory Responsible Person Questionnaire - ATF Form 5400.13A/5400.16 [PDF - 1.06 MB]

This form is used to add responsible persons to a Federal Explosives License or Permit (FEL/P) with the application as well as after a FEL/P has already been issued. It is also required to be submitted with every FEL/P Renewal Application (ATF Form 5400.14/5400.15).

Published/Revised: June 30, 2025

Explosives
Regulatory ATF Proc. 2020-2 – Recordkeeping and Background Check Procedure for Facilitation of Private Party Firearms Transfers [PDF - 259.33 KB]

This procedure supersedes ATF Procedure 2017-1. The purpose of this ATF procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who facilitate the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Proc. 2020-1 – Recordkeeping Procedure for Non-over-the-counter Firearm Sales by Licensees to Unlicensed In-state Residents That Are NICS Exempt [PDF - 168.88 KB]

This procedure supersedes 2013-2. This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to complete the Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473 (Form 4473), as revised effective May 2020, and record the sale of a firearm, when selling to an unlicensed person who (a) Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements; (b) Resides in the same State as the licensee; and (c) Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

Firearms
Regulatory Application for Alternate Means of Identification of Firearm(s) (Marking Variance) - ATF Form 3311.4 [PDF - 482.89 KB]

This is the form which is used by licensed manufacturers and importers requesting ATF approval to adopt markings on behalf of another manufacturer/importer during firearms manufacturing process. OMB No. 1140-0104 (10/31/2026).

Published/Revised: October 31, 2023

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Form 5300.9A - Firearms Transaction Record Continuation Sheet [PDF - 357.84 KB]

This form is a continuation of Section A of the attached ATF Form 4473 and is completed by the transferor/seller. When completed, this attachment is incorporated into and made part of the ATF Form 4473.

Published/Revised: October 31, 2023

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Form 5300.9A - Hoja de Continuación de Registro de Transacción de Armas de Fuego [PDF - 146.6 KB]

Este formulario es continuación de Seccion A del Formulario 4473 de ATF y el transferidor/vendedor lo completa. Cuando esté completo, el documento será incorporado y será parte del Formulario 4473 de ATF.

Published/Revised: October 31, 2023

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

ATF.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Justice

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov