Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all federal explosives licensees and permittees guidance on the safe storage of explosive materials. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other similar devices, are electronic devices that, through an aerosolized solution, deliver nicotine, flavor, and/or other substances (including non-tobacco products) to the user inhaling from the device. ATF has determined that electronic nicotine delivery systems are spark producing devices. Therefore, they cannot be brought into or within 50 feet of any outdoor explosives storage magazine or within any room containing an indoor magazine.

Published/Revised: October 21, 2021

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you must follow beginning Oct. 19, 2005, in order to comply with the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

ATF Citizens' Academy Application - The Citizens' Academy is an event for local community, religious and civic leaders, and organizations to interact and talk directly with ATF special agents and participate in hands-on activities related to ATF's areas of investigative responsibilities.

Published/Revised: July 2, 2025

ATF authorizes federal explosives licensees and permittees to maintain their explosives records electronically instead of in paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: October 18, 2023

ATF authorizes federal explosives licensees and permittees, and state and local government agencies conducting avalanche control/mitigation activities, to store explosives in remote avalanche control systems, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: January 9, 2023

This ruling authorizes licensed explosives importers, manufacturers and dealers to maintain commercial records instead of a separate record as a permanent record of acquisitions, distributions/dispositions, and use of explosive materials. 

Published/Revised: February 8, 2024

The Department of Justice (“Department”) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (“BSCA”), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Published/Revised: August 30, 2023

The purpose of this Open Letter is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check requirement.

Published/Revised: August 24, 2023

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Published/Revised: November 8, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

Published/Revised: July 27, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearm silencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised: August 16, 2024

Changes to Vermont Law, 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) § 4019, effective July 1, 2022, have generated questions from Vermont FFLs. This letter alerts Vermont FFLs to the recent changes in Vermont law and provides guidance to ensure Vermont FFLs remain in compliance.

Published/Revised: March 16, 2023

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after Nov. 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Open letter to the federal firearms licensee (FFL) community to advise on the restrictions and parameters of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), which generally prohibits the possession or transfer of machineguns imported or manufactured after May 19, 1986, with limited exceptions.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2023

ATF Form 5320.24, Description of Firearm and Information on Request for Demonstration, should be submitted by Federal Firearms Licensees who have paid the special (occupational) tax to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearms, for approval to transfer an NFA firearm to a similarly qualified licensee. The completed ATF Form 5320.24 should be completed by a law enforcement agency requesting demonstration of 922(o) machineguns and will serve as supporting documentation for the ATF Form 3 (5320.3), Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer (National Firearms Act). 

Published/Revised: January 2, 2024

For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.

Published/Revised: November 10, 2010

An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Heckler & Koch G3 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale.

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.

Published/Revised: January 18, 2007

ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: May 29, 2012

Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).

Published/Revised: July 25, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised: June 23, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised: February 18, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: July 24, 2012

Because of the nature of operations conducted by a gunsmith, he shall not be required to have business premises open to the general public or to have regular business hours.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1973

A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is a resident of any state or territory which requires that a permit or other authorization be issued prior to possessing or owning a handgun shall submit evidence of compliance with state law when applying to import a handgun.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1974