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 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - South Carolina - All FFLs - Change to South Carolina Background Check Procedures
This open letter has been rescinded. Licensees must be enrolled with the FBI before they can initiate NICS checks through the NICS Operations Center. Licensees who are not currently enrolled are advised to do so upon receipt of this letter. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Idaho - All FFLs - Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. This open letter supersedes the document by the same title, posted on April 8, 2010. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - November - New Mexico - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. This correction notice is to advise all New Mexico Federal firearms licensees that the New Mexico Department of Public Safety will no longer participate as the NICS point of contact. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - North Carolina - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded.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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Puerto Rico - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded.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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Hawaii - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded.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: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Indiana - All FFLs - Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System
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. The permanent provisions of the Brady law provide for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system (NICS) that licensees must contact before transferring any firearm to unlicensed individuals. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Maryland - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Maine - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Michigan - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Guam - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Missouri - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Mississippi - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Minnesota - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - Massachusetts - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 2025 - July - Wisconsin - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law - FFL on Status of Concealed Carry License as a NICS Alternate Permit
ATF is committed to helping federal firearms licensees (FFLs) understand their legal obligations under federal law. This open letter advises Wisconsin FFLs that, effective immediately, the Wisconsin concealed carry license does not qualify as an alternative permit/license for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(3), which allows FFLs to accept certain state-issued licenses in lieu of running a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) when transferring a firearm to a nonlicensee. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Firearms Curios or Relics List - January 1972-April 2025
A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR § 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. This document includes a complete list of firearms curios or relics classifications from the previous editions of the Firearms Curios or Relics (C&R) List, ATF P 5300.11, combined with those made by FATD through April 2025. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 2021 - June - Louisiana - All FFLs - Lifetime Permit
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Louisiana Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permit meets the requirements as an alternative to the NICS check only during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the Lifetime Permit. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | 1998 - October - South Dakota - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | ATF Citizens' Academy Application (ATF Form F 3000.12)
ATF Citizens' Academy Application - The Citizens' Academy is an event for local community, religious and civic leaders, and organizations to interact and talk directly with ATF special agents and participate in hands-on activities related to ATF's areas of investigative responsibilities. Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Regulatory | Application for Federal Firearms License - Form 7/ 7 CR - ATF Form 7(5310.12)/7CR(5310.16)
This application for a federal firearms license (FFL) should be used to apply for all FFL types - any person(s) or entity who intend to engage in business as a firearms or ammunition importer or manufacturer, or firearms dealer, in interstate or foreign commerce; as well as those who wish to engage in curio and relic collecting activity. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Regulatory | Responsible Person Questionnaire - ATF Form 5400.13A/5400.16
This form is used to add responsible persons to a Federal Explosives License or Permit (FEL/P) with the application as well as after a FEL/P has already been issued. It is also required to be submitted with every FEL/P Renewal Application (ATF Form 5400.14/5400.15). Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Publication | Firearm Destruction Diagram: M60 Receiver
To meet the requirement for removal from GCA and NFA provisions, ATF has previously explained that acceptable methods of destruction include completely melting, shredding, or crushing the firearm. View more information on the destruction of the M60 receiver. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Firearm Destruction Diagram: PPSh-41 Receiver
To meet the requirement for removal from GCA and NFA provisions, ATF has previously explained that acceptable methods of destruction include completely melting, shredding, or crushing the firearm. View more information on the destruction of the PPSh-41 receiver. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Publication | Firearm Destruction Diagram: PPS-43 Receiver
To meet the requirement for removal from GCA and NFA provisions, ATF has previously explained that acceptable methods of destruction include completely melting, shredding, or crushing the firearm. View more information on the destruction of the PPS-43 receiver. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
