Publications

The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) requires states, as a condition of grant eligibility, to establish procedures to allow persons with disabilities relating to mental health (i.e., prohibiting mental health adjudications or involuntary commitments to a mental institution) to obtain relief from such disabilities for purposes of firearms eligibility. The 33 states in this list have qualified relief of disability programs, under 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d)(4), (g)(4), that ATF has approved.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2021

Topics Covered: Definition of Firearm, Frame and Receiver, Privately Made Firearms (PMFs), Marking requirements, Recordkeeping requirements, Record retention, ATF Rulings/Procedure affected.  These are the broad topics, but they are all interrelated.  

Published/Revised: May 9, 2022

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,120,772,000 for FY 2010, including $1,114,772,000 in Direct Salaries and Expenses and 5,025 full time equivalents (FTE) and $6,000,000 for construction of explosives ranges at the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR). Specifically, ATF requests $1,077,783,000 and 4,979 FTE for current services, $17,989,000 and 46 FTE for Southwest Border enforcement efforts, and $19,000,000 for operations and infrastructure costs associated with the NCETR. The FY 2010 request supports ATF’s and the Department of Justice’s priorities to reduce violent crime, detect and prevent terrorism and enforce the Federal firearms and explosives laws.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,027,814,000 and 4,942 full time equivalents (FTE) for FY 2009. The request includes $1,026,866,000 and 4,936 FTE for current services and $948,000 and 6 FTE for program improvements in the salaries and expense accounts. The FY 2009 request supports the Department’s priorities to detect and prevent terrorism, combat violent crime and support the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) items, including human capital, financial performance, E-government, and budget/performance integration.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,027,814,000 and 4,942 full time equivalents (FTE) for FY 2009. The request includes $1,026,866,000 and 4,936 FTE for current services and $948,000 and 6 FTE for program improvements in the salaries and expense accounts. The FY 2009 request supports the Department’s priorities to detect and prevent terrorism, combat violent crime and support the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) items, including human capital, financial performance, E-government, and budget/performance integration.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Exhibits for the FY2009 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

This booklet will help you understand the firearms trace process. It contains instructions on requesting a trace; understanding trace results; capabilities of comprehensive firearms tracing; and, how to establish a tracing program.

Published/Revised: April 28, 2016

This publication defines what each federally licensed importer must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised: December 1, 2011

WANT TO BE AN INDUSTRY OPERATIONS INVESTIGATOR? Industry operations investigators are the backbone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulatory mission. Their work is primarily investigative and routinely involves contact with, and interviews of, individuals from all walks of life and all levels of industry and government.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2025

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,013,980,000 and 4,933 full time equivalents (FTE) for FY 2008.  The request includes $995,023,000 and 4,909 FTE for current services and $18,957,000 and 24 FTE for program improvements in the salaries and expenses account.  

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,229,518,000 for FY 2014, including 5,192 positions and 4,876 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes a total of $14,587,000 in net adjustments-to-base (ATBs) which will allow ATF to maintain its current mission services. These ATBs will provide the funding to support employee payroll costs for existing staff, as well as resources to support the continued operation of ATFs land mobile radio program.

Published/Revised: May 15, 2015

Due to the potential misuse of these explosive materials to the detriment of public safety, the role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in protecting the public from unsafe or unsecure storage is vital. ATF’s jurisdiction over explosives extends to requiring licenses to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing and/ or distributing explosives materials. An ATF permit is also required to ship, transport or receive explosives. ATF regularly inspects the explosives storage magazines and records of explosives licensees and permittees to ensure compliance with federal explosives regulations.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2025

eTrace fact sheet for FY 2024.

Published/Revised: January 20, 2026

National Tracing Center fact sheet for FY 2024.

Published/Revised: January 20, 2026

ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) issues and renews federal firearms licenses (FFLs) in accordance with the Gun Control Act of 1968. ATF’s Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) issues and renews federal explosives licenses and permits (FEL/FEPs) submitted by industry members who manufacture, deal in, and import or receive explosive materials in accordance with the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.

Published/Revised: December 20, 2025

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,229,518,000 for FY 2014, including 5,192 positions and 4,876 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes a total of $14,587,000 in net adjustments-to-base (ATBs) which will allow ATF to maintain its current mission services. These ATBs will provide the funding to support employee payroll costs for existing staff, as well as resources to support the continued operation of ATFs land mobile radio program. Requested ATBs will also ensure continued refresh of critical technologies procured under the Radio Spectrum relocation initiative, which are vital to law enforcement operations. This request includes program increases of $73,078,000 to support the President’s National Gun Safety Initiative and Administration’s priority to reduce violent crime by increasing the criminal enforcement and inspections capabilities for ATF, increase capacity for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and enhance crime gun tracing activities. ATF will address firearms-related violence through a comprehensive intelligence-driven approach utilizing domain threat assessments to identify specific locations experiencing significant spikes in violence and illegal firearms activities.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,229,518,000 for FY 2014, including 5,192 positions and 4,876 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes a total of $14,587,000 in net adjustments-to-base (ATBs) which will allow ATF to maintain its current mission services. These ATBs will provide the funding to support employee payroll costs for existing staff, as well as resources to support the continued operation of ATFs land mobile radio program. Requested ATBs will also ensure continued refresh of critical technologies procured under the Radio Spectrum relocation initiative, which are vital to law enforcement operations. This request includes program increases of $73,078,000 to support the President’s National Gun Safety Initiative and Administration’s priority to reduce violent crime by increasing the criminal enforcement and inspections capabilities for ATF, increase capacity for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and enhance crime gun tracing activities. ATF will address firearms-related violence through a comprehensive intelligence-driven approach utilizing domain threat assessments to identify specific locations experiencing significant spikes in violence and illegal firearms activities.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Exhibits for the FY2014 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Exhibits for the congressional budget submission for FY2013.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,153,345,000 for FY 2013, including 4,937 positions and 4,861 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes $28,239,000 in adjustments-to-base, and program offsets of $26,894,000. The FY 2013 request also proposes a rescission of $12,400,000 in expired balances and $1,028,000 in unobligated Violent Crime Reduction Program balances. The FY 2013 request supports ATF and Department of Justice (DOJ) priorities for reducing violent crime, detecting and preventing terrorism, and enforcing Federal firearms, arson, explosives, and contraband tobacco laws. These resources will allow ATF to maintain a focused operational capacity.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Exhibits for the FY2012 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,153,345,000 for FY 2013, including 4,937 positions and 4,861 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes $28,239,000 in adjustments-to-base, and program offsets of $26,894,000. The FY 2013 request also proposes a rescission of $12,400,000 in expired balances and $1,028,000 in unobligated Violent Crime Reduction Program balances. The FY 2013 request supports ATF and Department of Justice (DOJ) priorities for reducing violent crime, detecting and preventing terrorism, and enforcing federal firearms, arson, explosives, and contraband tobacco laws. These resources will allow ATF to maintain a focused operational capacity.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,147,295,000 for FY 2012, including 5,181 positions and 5,147 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes $58,338,000 in adjustments to base, program improvements of $1,519,000 and program offsets of $27,334,000. The FY 2012 request supports ATF and Department of Justice (DOJ) priorities for reducing violent crime, detecting and preventing terrorism, and enforcing Federal firearms arson, explosives, and contraband tobacco laws. These resources will allow ATF to maintain a focused operational capacity- while recognizing efficiencies and cost reductions.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

To follow is a brief overview of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) budget request for FY 2011. ATF’s FY 2011 budget request has been developed to directly support ATF’s Strategic Priorities, which in turn directly support the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Strategic Goals. The enclosed budget request includes funding and personnel that will be essential to ensure that these priorities and goals are met.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015