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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
Report Firearms Trace Data: Virginia - 2016 [PDF - 1.26 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Colorado - 2016 [PDF - 1.15 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Time-to-Crime - Firearms Sourced and Recovered [XLSX - 124.34 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Top Calibers Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 23.77 KB]

Information from the 2016 Firearms Trace Data report. Data includes the firearms sourced and recovered in the United States and territories, sorted by the top calibers.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - FFL Theft/Loss Reports Matching Firearms Subsequently Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 15.44 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1 - December 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Time-To-Crime - Firearms Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 17.71 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Firearm Types Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 19.92 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Age of Possessor - Firearms Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 18.04 KB]

Information from the 2016 Firearms Trace Data report. Data includes the firearms sourced and recovered in the United States and territories, sorted by age of the possessor.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Number of Firearms Sourced and Recovered [XLSX - 29.44 KB]

Information from the 2016 Firearms Trace Data report. Data includes firearms sourced and recovered in the United States and territories.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: United States and Territories - 2016 - Categories Associated with Firearms Recovered and Traced [XLSX - 32.75 KB]

Information from the 2016 Firearms Trace Data report. Data includes categories associated with firearms recovered and traced in the United States and territories.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Canada - 2011-2016 [PDF - 831.33 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Caribbean - 2016 [PDF - 5.73 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Mexico - 2011-2016 [PDF - 752.1 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report 2017 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 932.03 KB]

2017 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Procedure 2017-1 - Facilitating Non-FFL Transfers of Firearms [PDF - 73.22 KB]

The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice - ATF I 5300.2 [PDF - 96.77 KB]

Federal law prohibits, except in certain limited circumstances, anyone under 18 years of age from knowingly possessing a handgun, or any person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under 18. A knowing violation of the prohibition against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under the age of 18 is, under certain circumstances, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report 2016 - Explosives Incident Report (EIR) [PDF - 6.64 MB]

2016 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised:

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:

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:

Firearms
Regulatory Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported - ATF Form 2 (5320.2) [PDF - 329.58 KB]

This form is used by qualified federal firearms licensees to report the manufacture or importation of an NFA firearm.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2017 - February - South Dakota - Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol [PDF - 33.24 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Fingerprint Card Instructions and Example - FD-258 [PDF - 1.64 MB]

This is a sample fingerprint card (FD-258) that is used when applying for a federal firearms license. This card can be order from the ATF Distribution Center online or by calling 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2003 [PDF - 53.97 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Two additions: Tetrazole explosives, and Ammonium perchlorate having particle size less than 15 microns.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2009 [PDF - 59.43 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials.  Removes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP)

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2013 [PDF - 53.68 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. One addition: Black powder substitutes

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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