Publications

This guide covers persons who have been convicted in any court of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) are generally prohibited under Federal law from receiving or possessing any firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2024

We’ve put together this guide to educate federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to facilitate private party sales of firearms. When individuals decide to use FFLs to facilitate the private sale of their firearms, it can enhance public safety, assist law enforcement, and help ensure firearms end up only in the hands of those who are legally allowed to possess them.

Published/Revised: February 28, 2024

This notice applies to activities permitted at bona fide gun shows, as defined in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 478.100. Federal firearms licensees ("FFLs" or "Dealers") may only sell firearms at gun shows within the state in which their licensed premise is located. Revised June 2021.  

Published/Revised: June 1, 2021

The Freedom of Information Act allows any person to request information about organizations, businesses, investigations, historical events, incidents, groups, or deceased persons. You may use this document to identify the category of request into which your request falls.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2020

Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Any person who has been "adjudicated as a mental defective" or "committed to a mental institution" is prohibited under Federal law from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing any firearm or ammunition. Violation of this Federal offense is punishable by a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to ten years.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2009

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

ATF guidance to help the public understand when those who buy and sell firearms must have a federal firearms license. Last updated August 2023.

Published/Revised: August 31, 2023

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

Purchasing a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one, or for someone who does not want his or her name associated with the transaction, is a “straw purchase,” a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Published/Revised: November 29, 2019

The purpose of this booklet is to provide industry members with useful tips, techniques, and tools developed by ATF, the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE), and the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) for properly securing explosive materials. Last updated May 2016.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2016