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: Central America - 2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Central America with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: The Caribbean - 2024
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in the Caribbean with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | Open Letter to All FFLs - May 2025 - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of updated guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that reminds you of your obligations under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Report | Firearms Trace Data: South Dakota - 2008
This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Report | 2024 - Firearms Commerce Report
2024 - Firearms Commerce Report in the United States. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Industry Operations Investigator Informational Packet
WANT TO BE AN INDUSTRY OPERATIONS INVESTIGATOR? Industry operations investigators are the backbone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulatory mission. Their work is primarily investigative and routinely involves contact with, and interviews of, individuals from all walks of life and all levels of industry and government. Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Regulatory | Procedures for Requesting Computerized Bookkeeping Variance
This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Forensic Biology - Mar. 2025
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Regulatory | 2025 - Memo - NICS Alert Policy
NICS Alert Policy memo, dated April 23, 2025. The use of the NICS Alert is a valuable investigative technique for firearm trafficking investigations. It is critical that this tool is utilized properly and only when needed. To this end, we are undergoing an extensive review of all current alerts and stipulating additional requirements for future use of NICS alerts. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Fact Sheet - Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program - 2024
PDF version of the G.R.E.A.T. program fact sheet, last updated July 2024. ATF’s G.R.E.A.T. program teaches young people to avoid gangs, resist peer pressure and build relationships with law enforcement officers. Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Impression Evidence - March 2025
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. The documents are used in ATF Laboratories and not published with the intent of setting a policy or analysis standard for other laboratories. The inclusion of product names does not imply endorsement by ATF Laboratories. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Program Information - 2025-2026
Program information for the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) for 2025-2026. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Improper Recommendations - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(2)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(2). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Granting an Unauthorized Preference - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(6)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(6). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Violating Veterans’ Preference - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Nepotism - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(7)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(7). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Influencing Withdrawal From Competition - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Publication | Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Obstructing Right to Compete - 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(4)
This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(4). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. Published/Revised: |
Careers |
| Laboratories | Laboratories Services - Triage Unit
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of Feb. 5, 2025. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Smoke/CO Alarm Activation on Lower Floor With Smoldering/Flaming Combustion Occurring on Upper Floor
Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms located on the bottom floor of a two-story structure with respect to combustion on the upper floor. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Laboratories | Laboratory Services - Fire Research Laboratory - August 2024
These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. These documents are current as of Aug. 22, 2024. They are provided for informational purposes only. Published/Revised: |
Laboratories |
| Laboratories | Cartridge Casings Exposed to Fire
One experiment was conducted to expose 48 cartridge casings to a fire in a single room compartment. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
| Report | NFCTA Volume IV - Part I Firearm Commerce Updates and New Analysis
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Report | 2024 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report
Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) must report to ATF each missing, lost, or stolen firearm from the FFL's inventory or collection within 48 hours of discovery of the loss or theft by completing and forwarding a Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report (ATF Form 3310.11). In addition, the FFL must also report the firearm theft or loss to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Laboratories | Contribution of Paint to Fire Size
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the contribution of oil-based paint to fire size in a two-story structure. Published/Revised: |
Arson |
