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Publications

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
Newsletter November 2009 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 598.97 KB]

What's In This Issue: Protecting America; ATF Strives to Improve Customer Service Through Online Notification; Improving Firearms Security; Here Are Some Reminders for Completing ATF Form 4473; FFL Newsletter Questions; Clarification on Submission of Multiple Handgun Sale Forms; ATF Encourages Support of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); Pistol Grips and Shotguns; NFA Forms and Their Use

Published/Revised: November 30, 2009

Firearms
Newsletter June 2010 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.61 MB]

What's In This Issue: New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services–Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director; Valid Identification Document; State Firearms Freedom Acts; Gun Show Guidelines; ATF Form 6 Import Applications; eTrace Claims of Illegal Gun Owner Registration; Internet Sales

Published/Revised: June 30, 2010

Firearms
Newsletter February 2011 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 709.99 KB]

What's In This Issue: SHOT Show 2011; Presentations; Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at This Gun Show, ATF I 5300.23a; Hunting Licenses Used as Government Identification; ATF Rulings Discussed at the SHOT Show; FFL eZ Check: Collectors; Changes in Legal Entity; Special Characters in Serial Numbers; Purchase of Firearms by Organizations; Sole Proprietors and Logging Personal Firearms In/Out of the A&D Records; National Firearms Act: Restrictions Stamped on an NFA Form; Combination Firearms; Small Arms Ammunition; Outcome from the SHOT Show; and more. 

Published/Revised: February 28, 2011

Firearms
Newsletter September 2011 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 695.68 KB]

What's In This Issue: Adjudicated “Mentally Defective”; Prohibited Persons and Restoration of Gun Rights; Serial Numbers; FBI Flyer: Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Firearms Shops and Ranges; Marking of Conversion Devices by Manufacturers; Prohibition on Obliterating, Removing or Changing the Markings on an NFA Firearm; Address for Reports of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers Address; Transferring Firearms from One A&D Record to Another; C&R Licensees: Out-of-Business Requirements; Are You Moving; Most Recent Open Letters; On-Site Responsible Persons; Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Looking for Past Newsletters; FBI/NICS News

Published/Revised: September 30, 2011

Firearms
Newsletter May 2012 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 234.35 KB]

What’s in This Issue: Customer Service Standards; SHOT Show 2012; Multiple Trade Name Policy; Hunting Licenses Issued by Retailers; Binary Exploding Targets; Completion of Section A of ATF Form 4473; Out-of-State Driver’s License Used as an Identification Document; REAL ID Act of 2005; Recording Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Guide to Requesting Marking Variances; Firearms Commerce in the United States 2011; Looking for Past Newsletters?; FBI NICS Information

Published/Revised: May 31, 2012

Firearms
Newsletter November 2012 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 338.84 KB]

What’s in This Issue:  Customer Service Standards; Reminder: Top 10 Frequently Asked Firearms Questions and Answers; Receive Firearms Industry News; Electronic Devices Used to Verify Change of Address; Government Issued Documents Bearing an Incorrect Zip Code; PCS Orders and Military Dependents Purchasing Firearms; Licensed Manufacturer’s Registration; Requirement with the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Control (DDTC); Firearms Lost or Stolen from Interstate Shipments; Guidance to FFLs Affected by Flooding and Other Natural Disasters; Ethnicity and Race on the ATF Form 4473; Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Out-of-Business Procedures; Out-of-Business with Succession; Residence as a Licensed Business Premises; New Move in EPS; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions; FBI NICS news

Published/Revised: November 30, 2012

Firearms
Newsletter March 2013, Volume 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 608.64 KB]

What’s In This Issue: SHOT Show 2013; ATF Outreach Activities; Best Practices; FBI/NICS News

Published/Revised: March 28, 2013

Firearms
Newsletter March 2013, Volume 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 588.97 KB]

What’s In This Issue: Reminder: Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date; Reminder: eForm 6; Agency Information Collection Activities; Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; Clarification of ATF Ruling 2008–3: Making Corrections to the e4473; Recording Identification Documents on the ATF Form 4473—Military Identification and PCS Orders; Purchase of Firearms by Current or Former Law Enforcement Officers; Recording Pistol Grip Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Manufacturing NFA Firearms for the United States Government; When Permission Is Required To Move NFA Firearms; Recordkeeping Requirements and Retention Requirements for Licensed Manufacturers; Clarification: Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Brokering of Firearms/Drop Shipments

Published/Revised: March 28, 2013

Firearms
Newsletter September 2013, Volume 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 590.54 KB]

What’s in This Issue: Customer Service Standards; Active Federal Firearms License (FFL) Records; Best Practices; ATF Outreach Activities; New Moves in EPS; FBI/NICS News

Published/Revised: September 30, 2013

Firearms
Newsletter September 2013, Volume 2 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 622.58 KB]

What’s in This Issue: Private Party Transfers; Updated ATF Website; Top 8 Questions Asked by FFLs on the ATF Website; Use of Computerized Software; Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances; Personal Firearms Record; Updated Most Frequently Asked Questions; eForms News; FFLs May Ship Firearms to Locations Other than the Business Premises Address; National Firearms Act Firearms in Estates; Sales to Law Enforcement; Retention of Registered Machineguns by Licensees Who Discontinue Business

Published/Revised: September 30, 2013

Firearms
Newsletter April 2015 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 585.33 KB]

What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2015; New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Outreach Activities; Organizational Change for Firearms Technology Branch; Automation of CBP Form I-94; Return of Firearms Received for Appraisal; Revised Federal Firearms License (FFL) Renewal Application (ATF Form 8); Reminders: Reporting Deceased Responsible Persons to the Federal Firearms Licensing Center and Submission of Original and Renewal Applications; Use of Internal Control Numbers on ATF Form 6 Part I; Reminder: Reporting Multiple Sales of Handguns or Certain Rifles; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions

Published/Revised: April 29, 2015

Firearms
Newsletter September 2016 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 161.27 KB]

What’s in this Issue: FFL Advisory – Attempted Thefts of Firearms; NFA Trust “41F”; Theft/Loss in Transit Ruling; Assisting Customers Who Have Been Denied or Delayed on a Firearm Background Check; Brokering Firearms for Exportation; Out of Business Procedures for Electronic Records; Gun Show Transfers: Where and How to record in records; “Occasional” Importation; eForms — Form 6

Published/Revised: September 29, 2016

Firearms
Newsletter July 2017 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.08 MB]

What's In This Issue: Announcement - ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1: Electronic A&D Records; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows

Published/Revised: July 28, 2017

Firearms
Newsletter 2019 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 451.9 KB]

What's In This Issue:  ATF Personnel Changes; Electronic Storage of ATF Form 4473s; ATF Procedure 2017-1; ATF Forms 5; ATF Form 4473: Clarification on Disqualifiers related to Military Service; Electronic Signatures on ATF Forms; NFA Forms: Common Errors; ATF FFL Alert System; Replacement Copies of NFA Tax Paid Transfer Forms; FFL Renewals (Timely Renewing/Common Mistakes); Updated Form 7; Clarification on Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) Addresses; Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER); NFA/Additional Paper Processing Times

Published/Revised: December 27, 2019

Firearms
Newsletter Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter Index - July 2020 [PDF - 177.32 KB]

Index for the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) newsletters. Last updated July 2020.

Published/Revised: July 30, 2020

Firearms
Newsletter September 2008 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 602.15 KB]

What's In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll Named Assistant Director (Enforcement Programs and Services); Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; New Headquarters Building; Two New Field Divisions; New “Orange Book”; Storage Rulings; Fireworks Recordkeeping and Marks of Identification; Information Resources; Variance Request Guidelines; Determination Request Guidelines; Exemption Request Guidelines; Who Should Complete a Theft or Loss Report?; 2007 Explosives Thefts

Published/Revised: September 30, 2008

Explosives
Newsletter September 2001 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 498.85 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message from the Chief, Arson and Explosives Programs Division (AEPD); Changes in Arson and Explosives Programs Division; International Explosives Assistance; Bunker Explosion in Arkansas; Advanced Explosives Destruction Techniques; Shock Tube Storage Requirements; License and Permit Simplification; Bombing Case in Virginia Solved; Fugitive Corner; ATF National Laboratory Project Update; Second Quarter 2001 Explosives Thefts; Correction of National Repository Fax Number

Published/Revised: September 30, 2001

Explosives
Newsletter October 2021 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 264.13 KB]

What's In This Issue: New Assistant Director, EPS; New Deputy Assistant Director, EPS; FEID Personnel Changes; Updated Form for Explosives Theft or Loss; Articles Pyrotechnic Exemption; Overview of IMESAFR; Reporting Employee Possessors; Changes to the List of Explosive Materials; Report Suspicious Activity; Underground Storage Reminder; Authorized Persons List; Q&As; Updated Publications; 2020 ATF Webinar

Published/Revised: October 31, 2021

Explosives
Newsletter November 2002 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.29 MB]

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; ATF Hosts Explosives Industry Executive Meeting; Variances; EPA and the Toxic Substances Control Act; New Industry Circulars; International Explosives Assistance & Coordination; Fugitive Corner

Published/Revised: November 30, 2002

Explosives
Newsletter November 2001 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 799.28 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; Transfers of Explosives In-State; ATF Meets With ISEE, PGI; Fugitive Corner; Third Quarter 2001 Explosives Thefts

Published/Revised: November 30, 2001

Explosives
Newsletter May 2003 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 255.79 KB]

What's In This Issue: Safe Explosives Act of 2002 - Key Provisions Outlined; Application for Restoration of Explosives Privileges; Changes Within ATF Resulting From the Signing of the Homeland Security Bill; Frequently Asked Questions; The New Federal Explosives License and Permit Application - Explosive Applications and Renewals

Published/Revised: May 31, 2003

Explosives
Newsletter May 2002 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.3 MB]

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; Changes in the A&E Division; Violent Offender Branch Gets New Chief; Bulk Salutes and Licensing; Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) Restrictions; Phone Number for National Licensing Center Changed; ATF's Lab New First Response Field Lab Vehicles; ATF Meets With ISEE, APA; Explosives Forms; Explosives Questions; Fugitive Corner; First Quarter 2002 Explosive Thefts

Published/Revised: May 31, 2002

Explosives
Newsletter June 2016 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 538.19 KB]

What's In This Issue: New Division Chief; Bomb Threat and Suspicious Package Publication; Transfer of Unmarked Explosive Materials; Nitrocellulose; Explosives Storage in Trailers; Type 2 Magazine Floors and Roofs; Highways; Marijuana Use and Prohibited Persons; Background Investigation and Denial; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed IPECs; Lists of Authorized Persons; Remote Storage Locations and Responsible Persons; Seismic and Geophysical Operations … Continued; 2015 Annual List of Explosive Materials

Published/Revised: June 30, 2016

Explosives
Newsletter June 2016 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter - Addendum [PDF - 196.45 KB]

What's In This Issue: Nitrocellulose - Update

Published/Revised: August 31, 2016

Explosives
Newsletter June 2013 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 1.5 MB]

What's In This Issue: New Publication; Exploding Ammunition Requirements; Smoke Producing Devices; Reagents; Canadian Type 4 Magazines vs. U.S. Type 2 Magazines; Hardwood or Softwood?; Interior Walls for Type 1 Magazines; Gun Loading Facilities; Horizontally-Mounted Hoods; Indoor Storage Reminders; Recordkeeping Reminders; Permittee Disposal of Surplus Stock; Questions and Answers; Explosives Thefts From 2006-2012

Published/Revised: June 30, 2013

Explosives
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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