Publications

The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.

Published/Revised: April 19, 2013

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding the West Virginia's Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHLs) issued on or after June 4, 2014 as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: June 3, 2014

This open letter has been rescinded.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. On Nov. 30, 1998, the interim provisions of the Brady law will cease to apply, and the permanent provisions of the Brady law will take effect.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This letter provides information regarding the distribution to and receipt of explosives for pest control and mitigation purposes by states or their political subdivisions.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2011

This open letter provides information regarding the use of an insert/sleeve designed to be installed in an Orion 25mm/12 gauge flare launcher that allows the use of conventional ammunition in these flare launchers.

Published/Revised: May 4, 2006

The purpose of this open letter is to advise Federal explosives industry licensees and permittees to remain diligent in security and protection of their explosives inventory. 

Published/Revised: July 7, 2004

The letter provides information in response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge and the FR 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol.

Published/Revised: January 20, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Ohio FFLs that Ohio's concealed handgun license qualifies as an alternative to the background check requirement.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2016

The purpose of this open letter is to provide further guidance regarding purchasers who present an identification document bearing a rural route address.

Published/Revised: August 29, 2011

On Jan. 15, 2016, ATF published in the Federal Register a final rule entitled "Machineguns, Destructive Devices and Certain Other Firearms; Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity with Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm."  This final rule is effective on July 13, 2016, and amends the regulations governing the making and transfer of firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act. 

Published/Revised: May 25, 2016

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised: April 14, 2011

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: February 17, 2017

All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry.

Published/Revised: October 23, 2019

ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.” 

Published/Revised: August 27, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised: August 26, 2011

This open letter is to encourage federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11 approaches. The security of your explosives' storage sites is very important.

Published/Revised: August 19, 2011

This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2006

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Act, when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on Jan. 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: May 16, 2003

The purpose of this open letter is to remind federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.

Published/Revised: June 27, 2003

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, 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: May 30, 2008

The purpose of this open letter is to inform security firms and other persons who have federal firearms licenses (FFLs), and who may temporarily assign firearms to their unlicensed employees in furtherance of legitimate business purposes, of the statutory and regulatory requirements that affect them.

Published/Revised: June 13, 2008

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR 478.92. 

Published/Revised: August 22, 2008