Publications

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of the specific provisions of revised regulations that require a Federal firearms licensee to make a report of a multiple sale or other disposition of pistols and revolvers.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and others concerned:  On Dec. 29, 1975, a bomb-blast ripped through New York's LaGuardia airport, killing 11 persons and injuring some 15 others. This tragic incident is but the latest in an alarming upward spiral of bombings that have occurred in cities, suburban communities, small towns and rural areas across America in recent years.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is to advise industry members and others concerned that, effective April 15, 1975, Bureau regulations formerly codified as 26 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter E--Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes) have been recodified into the Bureau's reserved Title 27 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter M-Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes). This recodification merely relocates the regulations and makes no technical changes in requirements.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is to inform those involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage or use of explosives that ATF Ruling77-13, which deals with reporting theft or loss of explosive materials, was published in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bulletin for May 1977.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

Importers of Firearms and Destructive Devices: Recently, ATF has noted cases where some importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source.

Published/Revised: April 13, 2020

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives Control to be held at the Fountain Bay Hotel, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 25-27, 1979.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives to be held at the Bahia Hotel, in San Diego, California, May 19-21, 1981.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of a Treasury decision effective Aug. 1, 1983, T.D. ATF - 135(48 FR 24065), implementing a three-year firearms license.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular has been published to inform you of a potential explosion hazard relating to a malfunctioning of automatic ammunition reloading equipment.

Published/Revised: August 12, 2024

The Bureau of ATF is investigating the criminal activities of a group of violent criminals known as the Sam Melville/Jonathan Jackson Brigade. This group is known for its violent acts, including the illegal use of firearms and explosives.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

All Federal Firearms Licensees and Others Concerned: This is to notify you that as a result of a formal process which began on April 22, 1980, the regulations have been changed (effective Nov. 29, 1984), to allow licensees to engage in business at gun shows held within the same State as the licensed premises.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines.

Published/Revised: May 4, 2021

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members of serious problems with storage of explosives which may pose a danger to the public, and to alert industry members to the possibility of theft of explosives by terrorists because of the deteriorating Mideast situation.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular reminds proprietors of distilled spirits plants (DSPs), importers, wholesalers and other persons who purchase distilled spirits products from DSPs of their responsibility to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws with respect to such sales.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular announces the reclassification of small caliber weapons (such as pen guns) ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances or pyrotechnic signals, which may be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, as firearms.

Published/Revised: August 9, 2024

This circular announces the transfer of the Arms Import Control Program from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular advises proprietors of their responsibility to ATF with respect to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, and of the possible effects of these requirements upon their activities.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3).

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular reminds all persons of the federal law (and penalties) applying to the shipments, sale or possession of cigarettes and to the domestic sales of cigarettes marked for export. Additionally, this circular addresses the sale of cigarettes on Native American tribal reservations.

Published/Revised: November 21, 2024

This circular announces the issuance of a new Treasury Department regulation, Part 180 of Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on Aug. 28,1986. This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2021

The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective Jan. 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2021