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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 Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (DSMT) - ATF P 5400.18 [PDF - 498 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Explosives Magazine Construction Requirements - ATF P 5400.17 [PDF - 475.01 KB]

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

Published/Revised: July 20, 2020

Explosives
Publication Disaster Preparedness for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees - ATF P 5400.16 [PDF - 985.94 KB]

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

Published/Revised: March 1, 2011

Explosives
Publication Recordkeeping Requirements for Dealers of Explosive Materials - ATF P 5400.22 [PDF - 4.74 MB]

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

Explosives
Publication Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosive Material Manufacturers - ATF P 5400.19 [PDF - 4.66 MB]

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

Explosives
Publication ATF O 2956.3A Reasonable Accommodations [PDF - 15.52 MB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication ATF National Firearms Act Handbook - ATF P 5320.8 [PDF - 10.36 MB]

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

Firearms
Publication Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances - Reference Guide [PDF - 196 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide - ATF P 5300.4 [PDF - 3.43 MB]

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

Firearms
Publication ATF Automation of Industry eForms - Helpful Hints for eForms Users [PDF - 483.25 KB]

ATF has provided helpful hints for eForms users.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

Firearms
Publication Automation of Industry eForms - ATF eForms 4473 User Manual - Dec. 2, 2020 [PDF - 3.17 MB]

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

Explosives
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Seller [PDF - 672.73 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

Firearms
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Buyer [PDF - 190.16 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

Firearms
Publication National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Course Overview [PDF - 175.98 KB]

This document provides detailed information about the NFEA courses. 

Published/Revised: March 4, 2024

Firearms
Publication Protection Orders and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.2 [PDF - 142.09 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication January 2016 - Loss Prevention for Firearms Retailers - ATF P 5380.1 [PDF - 440.66 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.3 [PDF - 237 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Facilitating Private Sales: A Federal Firearms Licensee Guide [PDF - 2.34 MB]

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

Firearms
Publication June 2021 - Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at Gun Shows - ATF I 5300.23A [PDF - 289.22 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication FOIA - Categories of Requesters [PDF - 57.41 KB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication Your Right to Federal Records - July 2011 [PDF - 975.8 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Workforce and Mission
Publication Federal Firearms Prohibitions Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(4) – Persons Adjudicated as a Mental Defective or Committed to a Mental Institution - ATF I 3310.4 [PDF - 99.72 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Explanation of the Hearing Process - Federal Firearms Licensees [PDF - 335.91 KB]

This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs). 

Published/Revised: April 14, 2021

Firearms
Publication Personal Firearms Record - ATF P 3312.8 [PDF - 295.23 KB]

By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Last revised August 2013.

Published/Revised: August 1, 2013

Firearms
Publication Póster sobre rastreo y identificación de armas de fuego - ATF I 3317.5 [PDF - 15.79 MB]

Descripción completa del arma de fuego, poseedor del arma, complices e información para asegurar el rastreo comprensivo de todas las armas de fuego recuperadas usando el Formulario ATF 3312.1 (revisión de enero de 2007).

Published/Revised: July 2, 2019

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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