Publications

Information from the 2016 Firearms Trace Data report. Data includes categories associated with firearms recovered and traced in the United States and territories.

Published/Revised: September 18, 2017

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised: August 10, 2017

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised: August 10, 2017

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised: August 10, 2017

2017 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised: August 7, 2017

What's In This Issue: Updated Safety & Security Publication; Structures Used for Indoor Storage; Firework Processes and Manufacturing; Distribution Dates; Identification of Explosive Materials; Q&As; How to read an Explosives License or Permit Number; List of Active Explosives Rulings

Published/Revised: July 31, 2017

The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.

Published/Revised: July 28, 2017

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

Federal law prohibits, except in certain limited circumstances, anyone under 18 years of age from knowingly possessing a handgun, or any person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under 18. A knowing violation of the prohibition against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under the age of 18 is, under certain circumstances, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2017

2016 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised: June 14, 2017

The quick reference guide is for federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who are using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

This quick reference guide is to be given to an individual to assist them in using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

This form is used by qualified federal firearms licensees to report the manufacture or importation of an NFA firearm.

Published/Revised: May 1, 2017

The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check. 

Published/Revised: February 17, 2017

This is a sample fingerprint card (FD-258) that is used when applying for a federal firearms license. This card can be order from the ATF Distribution Center online or by calling 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528.

Published/Revised: January 1, 2017

Notice of List of Explosive Materials.  Removes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP)

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. One addition: Black powder substitutes

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Two additions: Tetrazole explosives, and Ammonium perchlorate having particle size less than 15 microns.

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016

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

The Annual Arson Incident Report (AIR) reviews arson-related incidents from data reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Published/Revised: September 26, 2016

The annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and explosives related incident and threat from information reported to the United States Bomb Data Center through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Published/Revised: September 19, 2016

What's In This Issue: Nitrocellulose - Update

Published/Revised: August 31, 2016

2016 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised: August 8, 2016

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: August 1, 2016

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. CBP an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.

Published/Revised: July 14, 2016