Publications

This is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs). 

Published/Revised: April 14, 2021

By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Last revised August 2013.

Published/Revised: August 1, 2013

Descripción completa del arma de fuego, poseedor del arma, complices e información para asegurar el rastreo comprensivo de todas las armas de fuego recuperadas usando el Formulario ATF 3312.1 (revisión de enero de 2007).

Published/Revised: July 2, 2019

Complete description of firearm, possessor, associate and recovery information  to ensure comprehensive tracing of all recovered firearms using ATF Form 3312.1 dated January 2007.

Published/Revised: April 28, 2016

This publication provides the location for the Federal explosive regulations that require outdoor explosives storage magazines to be located.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

The purpose of firearm safety is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional damage, injury or death caused by improper possession, storage, or handling of a firearm. Firearm owners should handle the firearm safely and protect themselves and the public from the theft, loss or misuse of their firearm. Last updated July 2024.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2024

This publication, last updated June 2013, is an overview intended as an aid to compliance with regulatory requirements, not a replacement for the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised: June 1, 2013

This publication provides vital safety information to persons and organizations encountering suspicious packages and/or bomb threats. Last updated May 2016.

Published/Revised: May 13, 2016

This overview is intended as an aid to compliance with regulatory requirements—not as a replacement. Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 provide specific regulatory requirements for explosive materials.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

This publication provides guidelines on how to conduct a firearms inventory, dated July 2016.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2016

¿Qué es la División del Centro Nacional de Rastreo (NTC)?  La División del Centro de Rastreo Nacional (NTC) del Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos es la única organización autorizada a rastrear armas de fuego de fabricación nacional y extranjera para las agencias policiales internacionales, federales, estatales y locales.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022

This order establishes direction on the use of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-owned body-worn cameras (BWCs) by ATF special agents during properly authorized investigations and activities. For purposes of this policy, the term “BWC recordings,” refers to audio and video recordings and associated metadata recorded on ATF-owned BWCs while the agent is engaged in federal law enforcement operations to include the investigation of fugitives sought on state and local warrants adopted by a federal agency. This policy does not apply to ATF-issued recording equipment to include digital or electronic media recordings from vehicle dash cameras, digital cameras, closed-circuit television, unmanned aerial systems, telecommunications devices, or any other camera sensor device. ATF special agents are prohibited from using non-ATF-owned recording devices (e.g., personal digital cameras, personal smartphone cameras, etc.) for documenting law enforcement activities, including the documentation of evidence. Finally, this policy applies only to ATF special agents in the designated sites and only after receiving BWC training.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2022

This order establishes direction for the use of non-Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) owned body-worn cameras (BWCs) by ATF Task Force Officers (TFOs) and Special Deputies (SD) on federal task forces. This policy provides parameters for the use of BWCs by TFOs to the extent that a state or local law enforcement agency requires their use by its officers during federal task force operations.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2022

Comprar un arma de fuego para alguien a quien se le prohíbe poseer una, o para alguien que no quiere que su identidad sea asociada con la transacción, o sea fungir como “Prestanombres”, las leyes Federales lo castiga con 10 años de encarcelamiento y una multa  de hasta $250,000 dólares. 

Published/Revised: September 8, 2020

No Mienta por otra PersonaCompre un arma de fuego para alguien á quien se le prohíbe la compra, y estará comprando 10 años de cárcel para Usted mismo.

Published/Revised: September 10, 2019

No Mienta por otra PersonaADVERTENCIA. Cualquiera persona que se sospeche de violar las leyes Federales de armas de fuego, incluyendo la compra ilegal de un arma de fuego para otra persona, será denunciado a las autoridades.

Published/Revised: September 10, 2019

Grief is a process, not an event. The memories, meanings and fulfilled needs provided by the lost loved one take time to work through. Losing someone close to you means you deserve to allow yourself to feel all your emotions, sadness, anger, intense longing, guilt, and others.  Revised Aug.2017

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, or injure someone. Revised March 2018

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC) identifies shooters within hours of mass casualty events. It dismantles trafficking networks moving weapons to cartels and foreign criminal organizations. It gives investigators the lead they need when no other lead exists. Read the full fact sheet to learn more about how the NTC works.

Published/Revised: October 6, 2026

The purpose of this Open Letter is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check requirement.

Published/Revised: August 24, 2023

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Published/Revised: November 8, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

Published/Revised: July 27, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearm silencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised: August 16, 2024

Changes to Vermont Law, 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) § 4019, effective July 1, 2022, have generated questions from Vermont FFLs. This letter alerts Vermont FFLs to the recent changes in Vermont law and provides guidance to ensure Vermont FFLs remain in compliance.

Published/Revised: March 16, 2023

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after Nov. 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025