Publications

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Louisiana of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: August 5, 2019

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to helping federal firearms licensees (FFLs) successfully comply with their legal obligations. This letter alerts you to a new firearms law enacted in the State of New Mexico, to aid you in complying with state and federal law.

Published/Revised: September 9, 2024

The purpose of this open letter is to remind affected persons of the Gun Control Act (GCA), National Firearms Act (NFA), and Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and associated federal regulations as they apply to firearms brought into Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBWs) and Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs).

Published/Revised: November 7, 2024

ATF is issuing this open letter to further assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” receiver of an AR-15/M-16 variant weapon has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional receiver, and is therefore classified as a “frame or receiver” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F), which became effective Aug. 24, 2022.

Published/Revised: September 27, 2022

The purpose of this letter is to advise Wyoming federal firearm licensees that a person convicted in a federal court (of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year) remains subject to the federal prohibition on shipment, transportation, receipt, and possession of firearms and ammunition, despite the issuance of a Restoration of Rights Certificate (under state law) by the State of Wyoming.

Published/Revised: July 10, 2024

The purpose of this public safety advisory is to advise all Michigan federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of an important change to the procedure they must follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady law), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person.

Published/Revised: March 3, 2020

A South Dakota Regular Concealed Carry Permit, issued on or after July 1, 2018, can be used as an alternative to the required NICS background check.

Published/Revised: March 17, 2021

This open letter informs Federal firearms licensees in the U.S. Virgin Islands that the U.S. Virgin Islands Firearms Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Connecticut of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

ATF is offering federal firearms licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning July 1, 2006. On this day, Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Georgia Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2006

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida state law and to assist federal firearms licensees in complying with federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearm.

Published/Revised: November 28, 2011

This letter is superseded by ATF's Jan. 5, 2006, open letter.  The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of ATF's continued commitment and strong partnership with the Michigan firearms industry and to request your assistance in combating the illegal traffic and use of firearms.

Published/Revised: March 15, 2004

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information on a provision of the recently enacted Homeland Security Act of 2002. This provision moves most of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice effective Jan. 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: December 18, 2002

This open letter provides guidance regarding the use of a State of Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Permit (CPP, but commonly referred to as a CCW) and a License to Purchase a Pistol as alternatives to NICS background check.  

Published/Revised: March 15, 2004

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This letter serves to provide federal firearms licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred. 

Published/Revised: November 6, 2003

This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.

Published/Revised: December 12, 2012

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to address the Supreme Court's decision regarding that part of the Brady Handgun Control Act is unconstitutional.

Published/Revised: June 27, 1997

A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2004

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure to comply with Federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses.

Published/Revised: March 13, 2013