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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
Publication 2012 - Congressional Budget Submission [PDF - 1.56 MB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication 2011 - Congressional Budget Submission - Justification [DOC - 791.5 KB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication 2011 - Congressional Budget Submission - Exhibits [XLS - 304.5 KB]

Exhibits for the FY2011 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Workforce and Mission
Publication 2010 - Congressional Budget Submission - Exhibits [XLS - 394.5 KB]

Exhibits for the FY2010 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Workforce and Mission
Publication 2010 - Congressional Budget Submission - Justification [DOC - 792.5 KB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication Safety and Security Information for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees - ATF P 5400.15 [PDF - 1.74 MB]

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

Explosives
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Coercing Political Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3) [PDF - 280.79 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Nondisclosure Forms, Policies & Agreements – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13) [PDF - 299.42 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Accessing Medical Records – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14) [PDF - 297.67 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9) [PDF - 299.12 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here. 

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Making a Protected Disclosure – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) [PDF - 286.79 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Violating Merit System Principles – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12) [PDF - 281.66 KB]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12). This document does not serve as legal advice and should not be cited as legal authority. Rather, the statute and current case law control with respect to matters discussed here.  

Published/Revised: May 20, 2026

Careers
Publication Dealing with Grief in the Aftermath of Losing a Loved One - ATF P 3314.1 [PDF - 446.79 KB]

Grief is a process, not an event. The memories, meanings and fulfilled needs provided by the lost loved one take time to work through. Losing someone close to you means you deserve to allow yourself to feel all your emotions, sadness, anger, intense longing, guilt, and others.  Revised Aug.2017

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Workforce and Mission
Publication Domestic Violence - ATF P 3254.1 [PDF - 248.67 KB]

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, or injure someone. Revised March 2018

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Workforce and Mission
Publication Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) Telephone Directory [PDF - 207.14 KB]

FFLC Telephone Directory - March 4, 2025.

Published/Revised: March 5, 2025

Workforce and Mission
Publication Victim/Witness Assistance Program - ATF P 3314.1 [PDF - 424.23 KB]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is responsible for investigating and reducing federal crimes involving firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. Part of ATF’s responsibilities includes providing information and assistance to victims of those crimes. Crime can have a devastating effect on victims and their families, and they may need help to cope with the impact of the violent crime. ATF Victim/Witness Specialists are available to assist you and to coordinate with other agencies in providing you with support, information, and resources that can effectively meet your needs. Last revised July 2016.

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Workforce and Mission
Publication Bullets, Casings, and You - ATF P 3315.2 [PDF - 4.12 MB]

This brochure provides information about ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  With ATF's NIBIN Program, State and local agencies receive technology that they could likely not afford on their own, as well as the capability to exchange investigative information with other jurisdictions.

Published/Revised: June 17, 2015

Firearms
Publication Gun Free School Zone Notice - ATF P 5310.1 [PDF - 933.2 KB]

This notice provides information about the laws and public responsibility regarding firearms near to or in school zones. 

Published/Revised: October 1, 2006

Firearms
Publication Best Practices: Transfers of Firearms by Private Sellers - ATF P 5300.21 [PDF - 164.84 KB]

This publication provides best practices in regards to transfers of firearms by private sellers.

Published/Revised: January 1, 2013

Firearms
Publication Compliance Guidelines for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees - ATF P 5400.23 [PDF - 285.05 KB]

This publication outlines and defines the compliance guidelines for federal explosive licensees and permittees, per the federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised: March 1, 2012

Explosives
Publication Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) - ATF P 3317.7 [PDF - 752.65 KB]

Information for FFLs on how to establish a disaster preparedness plan and key elements to include, as well as links to other disaster preparation resources.

Published/Revised: June 1, 2021

Firearms
Publication National Firearms Act Branch - ATF P 5320.6 [PDF - 1.61 MB]

This brochure provides information about ATF's National Firearms Act (NFA) Branch.

Published/Revised: June 10, 2016

Firearms
Publication ATF Outreach Programs - ATF P 1200.11 [PDF - 784.05 KB]

ATF has had outreach programs in place for more than 10 years, beginning with the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program and expanding to include industry outreach and interaction with other professional organizations.  Each year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen.  The owners’ ability to adequately identify these firearms is central to law enforcement’s ability to investigate these crimes and losses.  Insurance claims and reacquisition of recovered firearms will also hinge on the ability to correctly identify these firearms.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

Workforce and Mission
Publication Personal Firearms Record - ATF P 3312.8 [PDF - 360.91 KB]

Each year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen.  The owners’ ability to adequately identify these firearms is central to law enforcement’s ability to investigate these crimes and losses.  Insurance claims and reacquisition of recovered firearms will also hinge on the ability to correctly identify these firearms.  Keep this list separate from your firearms to assist police in the event your firearms are ever lost or stolen.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022

Firearms
Publication Federal Explosives Law and Regulations - ATF P 5400.7 [PDF - 4.22 MB]

Also known as the "Orange Book," this documentation provides federal explosives law and regulations and reflects changes and developments in response to the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.

Published/Revised: August 7, 2019

Explosives
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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