Publications

Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2010

Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2009

The 7.62mm Aircraft Machine Gun, identified in the U.S. military inventory as the "M-134" (Army), "GAU-2B/A" (Air Force), and "GAU-17/A" (Navy), is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Rev. Rul. 55-528 modified.

Published/Revised: August 4, 2004

The USAS-12 shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1993

A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1985

The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).

Published/Revised: September 28, 2010

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to keeping industry members informed of important trends and regulatory developments. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter which briefly addresses burglaries at licensed premises in the greater Houston, Texas, area and offers basic, preventive, methods for combating thefts. 

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The renewal returns for Tax Year 2010 will be mailed by the end of May 2009 to any person who paid the special (occupational) tax (SOT) for Tax Year 2009 to import, manufacture, or deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the-Counter (Form 4473) has been revised. This letter highlights the changes to the form.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this public safety Advisory to the firearms industry and the public to provide information regarding its investigative priorities related to possible willful efforts to violate the requirements of the Gun Control Act (GCA) as implemented by the Final Rule titled Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F) (“Frame or Receiver Final Rule” or the “Final Rule”).1 As with any suspected violations of the GCA, ATF may investigate such activities and, where appropriate, refer them for potential enforcement actions. ATF considers willful violations of the GCA, including the types described in this document, an investigative priority.

Published/Revised: March 21, 2023

ATF would like to remind everyone of applicable regulations concerning consumer fireworks for the Fourth of July. 

Published/Revised: June 27, 2023

This form is used to properly identify the registrant and the firearms to be registered. The form when approved, registers the firearm to the law enforcement agency. The furnishing of this information is mandatory (26 U.S.C. 5853a).

Published/Revised: October 11, 2023

This supplemental Part B of the ATF Form 7 / 7 CR (F 5310.12/F 5310.16), Application for Federal Firearms License, is required to be completed by each Responsible Person (RP) who will be on a new federal firearms license (FFL). The Form 7 / 7 CR itself only has space for one (1) RP’s information; all additional RPs must complete and submit this form supplement. This supplement should also be used when adding RPs to an existing FFL. When submitting this form to add a Responsible Person to an already existing license, the form must be accompanied by a signed written request from a current/existing RP already on the license. We cannot process a form to add an additional RP to an existing license without the express written consent from an existing RP on the license.

Published/Revised: June 30, 2025

The ATF copy of the form, with fingerprints on Form FD-258 and photograph, will be submitted with the ATF Form 1, 4, or 5 (to the address shown on the specific form) and the other copy will be directed to the responsible person's chief law enforcement officer. Please read all instructions on this form before submitting it to ATF.

Published/Revised: January 13, 2023

This form is used to determine the eligibility of the applicant to engage in certain operations, to determine the location and extent of operations, and to determine whether the operations will be in conformity with federal laws and regulations when working with explosives.

Published/Revised: April 24, 2024

This form is used to obtain a release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and notify ATF of actual importation of defense articles imported pursuant to an approved ATF Form 6.

Published/Revised: August 7, 2024

This form is used to obtain approval to permanently export a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm and claim exemption from transfer tax. State Department export approval is required prior to ATF Form 9 being approved. 

Published/Revised: September 30, 2024

This application must be completed by any federal firearms licensee (FFL) who intend to change the business and/or mailing address of an active license and certify compliance with the provisions of the law for the new address.

Published/Revised: September 12, 2023

This form is used to report the theft or loss of firearms experienced by common carriers in interstate shipment.

Published/Revised: March 1, 2023

This form should be used by Federal Firearms Licensees who require additional space while filling out ATF Form 3310.11, Section C - Description of Firearms.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

This form is to request approval to make a NFA firearm. A making tax liability may be incurred.

Published/Revised: January 30, 2026

This form is used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to report the theft or loss of firearms from their inventory or collection, to include firearms lost in transit (to be reported by the shipping FFL).

Published/Revised: January 4, 2022

This form is for federal, state and local, military and international law enforcement personnel to apply for training conducted by ATF.

Published/Revised: November 6, 2024

This form is used to obtain permission to temporarily or permanently move your registered National Firearms Act (NFA) machine gun, short barreled rifle or shotgun, or destructive device interstate. Persons other than qualified federal firearms licensees (FFLs) or government agencies are required to obtain this permission.

Published/Revised: January 13, 2023

This form is required of all Type 07 and Type 10 federal firearms licensees (FFLs) for reporting production data for the manufacture and exportation of firearms.Instead of printing this form and mailing it in, please consider using eForms to electronically complete and submit your AFMER form. You can complete the AFMER eForm at www.atf.gov/firearms/applications-eforms. If you need assistance with eForms, send an email to eforms.admin@atf.gov.

Published/Revised: November 26, 2024