Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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
Newsletter Explosives Industry Newsletter - June 2023 [PDF - 500.12 KB]

What’s In This Issue: New Chief, EIPB; Importation and Manufacture of Small Arms Ammunition and Components; Importation of Articles Pyrotechnic Marked as Display Fireworks; Indoor Storage in Residences/Dwellings; Open letter – Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Distance Requirements for Ammonium Nitrate Products; Black Powder Exemption Reminder; Less Lethal Munitions Marking Requirements; ATF Ruling 2011-3 Reminder; Government Exemptions; Storage at Correctional Facilities; Q&As; Receiving ATF Website Update Notices

Published/Revised: June 14, 2023

Explosives
Newsletter June 2021 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 398.58 KB]

What's in this issue: What is a Straw Purchase; Silencer Markings and Registration Requirements; Changes to ATF Form 4473; State of Residence and Identification; NICS Alternative Permits and Age Restrictions;  Medical Marijuana and CBD Products; Private Party Sales; Internet Sales; Firearm Raffles; Firearm Registry; Variance Requests and the Approval Process; Special Occupational Tax Requirement – Business Locations; Reminders – Renewals / RPs / FFLC Address / AFMER ; and NFA Forms Processing Times

Published/Revised: June 29, 2021

Firearms
Newsletter December 2009 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.03 MB]

What's In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll, Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services, Retires; 2009 Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) Spring Meeting; 2010 International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) Conference; Type-1 Igloo or “Army-type Structure” Explosives Magazines; Day Boxes; Table of Distances and Barricades; Recording Explosive Materials ”Used”; Inspection Violations; Black Powder Blanks; Deteriorated Explosives; U.S. Department of Defense Exemption Application to Contractors; Storage of Exempt Explosive Materials in Magazines; Notice of Errata; Orange Book Errata; Licensee/Permittee Population

Published/Revised: December 31, 2009

Explosives
Newsletter December 2005 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 333.3 KB]

What's In This Issue: Changes Within the Office of Enforcement Programs Services; Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; Explosives Industry Programs Branch (EIPB) Is Now on the Web!; You’ve Got EIPB-Mail!; ATF’s Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Changes in ATF Regulation27 CFR 555.55; Submission of Employee Possessor Questionnaires; New Requirements for Identification Markings on Explosives Materials; Definition of “Highways” as Defined in 27 CFR 555.11 and Guidance on Different “Private Roads”; Construction and Recordkeeping: Storage Bins for Blasting Agents; Variances for Continuing Authority Concerning Preloading of Trucks for Temporary Storage of Fireworks for Shows; REMINDER: Licensees and Permittees are Required to Maintain Records

Published/Revised: December 31, 2005

Explosives
Newsletter December 2003 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 464.34 KB]

What's In This Issue: Changes in the Public Safety Branch; New Chief of the National Licensing Center; Requirements for Distraction Devices; ATF Meets With Mining Industry and ISEE; Limited Permit Procedures Detailed; Sales of Explosives Away From the Licensed Premises; Changes at the National Licensing Center; Theft of Explosives as Reported to ATF; Reporting Changes in Responsible Persons and Employee Possessors

Published/Revised: December 31, 2003

Explosives
Newsletter August 2015 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 288.39 KB]

What's In This Issue: New Acting Director; New Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services; New Chief of EIPB; Magazine Identification Program; Less Lethal Devices; Fireworks Reminders; NPRM to Remove Reference Note; Marking and Recording Bulk Explosives; Internal Transfers of Explosives; Plywood, Hardwood and ATF Ruling 76-18; Using Commercial Records; Explosives Thefts - 2013-2014

Published/Revised: August 31, 2015

Explosives
Newsletter August 2000 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 328.16 KB]

What's In This Issue: The New ATF Structure; ATF Publishes Final Rule in Federal Register; Storage Requirements - Display Fireworks; Amendment to Licensing Requirements Intended to Ease Burden for On-Site Manufacturers; Construction Requirements for Type 4 Magazines Clarified; Letters to the Editor; Disposing of Deteriorated Explosives; ATF Reaches Industry Members via Internet; U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

Published/Revised: August 31, 2000

Explosives
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 2, Issue 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 255.94 KB]

What's In This Issue: Gun Shows Revisited; News You Can Use; Armed Forces Dual Residency Clarified; Licensee Q and A’s

Published/Revised: December 31, 1983

Firearms
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 2, Issue 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 231.02 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message to the FFL from Stephen Higgins - Director of ATF; Firearms License Streamlined; Licensee Q's and A's; Firearms Seminars Look Like a Hit; News You Can Use; New Organization - Office of Regulatory Enforcement; ATF Spotlights; ATF Reorganization

Published/Revised: December 31, 1983

Firearms
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 1, Issue 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 181.68 KB]

What's In This Issue: The Director's Column; Curios, Relics Classification Expanded; Stolen Guns Threaten Everyone; Place of Business; For Your Customer; Tracing Works; Firearms Trace Results; News You Can Use; Toll-Free Service Available

Published/Revised: December 31, 1983

Firearms
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 1, Issue 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 326.03 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message from the Director of ATF; Tracing Firearms for Law Enforcement; Frequently Asked Questions

Published/Revised: December 31, 1983

Firearms
Newsletter 1991 - Volume 4 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 915.43 KB]

What's In This Issue: Computerized Recordkeeping Systems; A Message From the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME); Accidental Explosion of Detonators Reported to ATF; Quantity and Storage Restrictions; 27 CFR 55.63 - Explosives Magazine Changes; Storage of Explosives/Explosive Materials; 5-Year Record Retention; Multi State Explosives Licensing; Letters to the Editor; A Message From the National Explosives Tracing Center; Illegal Storage Led to Tragedy

Published/Revised: December 31, 1991

Explosives
Newsletter Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter Index - January 2022 [PDF - 174.18 KB]

Index for the Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) newsletters. Last updated January 2022.

Published/Revised: January 31, 2022

Explosives
Newsletter 1989 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 5.71 MB]

What's In This Issue: Open Letter; Movement of Explosive Materials Pertaining to Fireworks; Explosives Security; Binary Explosives Requirements; Black Powder Dealers' Records; Special Notice; ATF's Most Wanted

Published/Revised: December 31, 1989

Explosives
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 1 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 4.21 MB]

What's In This Issue: A Letter of Thanks; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Letters to the Editor; Lock and Key Control; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1990

Explosives
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 2 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 615.06 KB]

What's In This Issue: New Fireworks Regulations; Letters to the Editor; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1990

Explosives
Newsletter 1991 - Volume 5 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 10.13 MB]

What's In This Issue: Theatrical Flash Powder; DOT Eliminates Class A, B, and C Explosives; Good Storage Practices; News Release; Letters to the Editor; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1991

Explosives
Newsletter September 2006 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 191.43 KB]

What's In This Issue: Compliance Issues Involving the Fireworks Industry; Table of Distances; License or Permit; Incomplete Applications; Securing Storage Magazines; Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (Revisited); Questions and Answers

Published/Revised: September 30, 2006

Explosives
Newsletter February 1979 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 343.72 KB]

What's In This Issue: ATF Facts - Registered Firearms and Weapons

Published/Revised: February 27, 1979

Firearms
Newsletter July 1986 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 6.54 MB]

What's In This Issue: An Open Letter to Licensees and Others Concerned; President Signs New Gun Law; News You Can Use; Tracing Makes a Difference

Published/Revised: July 30, 1986

Firearms
Newsletter July 1989 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 4.06 MB]

 ATF determines semiautomatic assault rifles cannot be imported into the United States.

Published/Revised: July 28, 1989

Firearms
Newsletter 1989 - Volume 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 186.88 KB]

What's In This Issue: Out-Of-State And Mail Order Sales; “Straw Purchases" Of Firearms; Firearms Transaction Records on Title II Transfers; ATF Distribution Center; Armor Piercing Ammunition – Update; Change of Control; Form 4473 Omissions and Discrepancies; Sales to Underaged Persons

Published/Revised: December 28, 1989

Firearms
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 584.73 KB]

What's In This Issue: Facsimile Transmitted Copies of Forms and Other Documents; FFL Toll-Free Information; Sales Agents; Falsified Federal Firearms Licenses; Out-of-State FFLs; Manufacturer's Annual Report - Form 4483-A; Letters to the Editor; Excise Tax; Thefts of Dealer's Records

Published/Revised: December 28, 1990

Firearms
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 557.15 KB]

What's In This Issue: MP-83 and MP-22 Pistols; Significant Court Cases; Firearms and Explosives Division Personnel Changes; Compliance Inspection Problems; Certified Copies of Licenses; Excise Tax- Update; Gun Show Guidelines; Permit to Carry Concealed Weapons; Letters to the Editor; Special Tax Refunds; What is ITAR?

Published/Revised: December 28, 1990

Firearms
Newsletter 1991 - Volume 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 931.89 KB]

What's In This Issue: Excise Tax; License Revocations; Multiple Sales Reports; Crime Control Act of 1990; Repairs of NFA Weapons; Discontinuance of Business - Chain Store Operations; Change or Correction of License; Transfers of National Firearms Act Firearms; Discontinuance of Operations as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer, or Importer; Change in Business Structure as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer or Importer; Bureau Headquarters Move; Compliance Inspection Program; FFL Lists; FFL Advisory

Published/Revised: December 27, 1991

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

ATF.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Justice

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov