Publications

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: November 24, 2010

This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife. 

Published/Revised: November 12, 2010

For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.

Published/Revised: November 10, 2010

This form is used by federal, state and local, military and international law enforcement personnel applying for training conducted by ATF.

Published/Revised: November 1, 2010

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all State Attorneys General and State Tobacco Tax Administrators with information on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to persons who sell, transfer, or ship for profit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in interstate commerce or who advertise cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for such sale, transfer, or shipment on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).

Published/Revised: September 28, 2010

ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.” 

Published/Revised: August 27, 2010

What's In This Issue: Changes in Headquarters Personnel; Change of Ownership versus Change of Control; Storage of Shock Tube with Detonators; ATF Ruling—Placement and Visibility of Containers in Magazines; Inspecting Magazines; Type-5 Locking Requirements; Rubberized Lining in Type-3 and Type-4 Magazines; Reviewing Variances; Fireworks and Fires in the United States; Theft Discovery and Reporting; Orange Book Errata

Published/Revised: June 30, 2010

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

ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: June 24, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal Firearms Licensee. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is providing you with the following information, intended to assist you in complying with Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 44.

Published/Revised: May 28, 2010

Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2010

What's In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll, Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services, Retires; 2009 Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) Spring Meeting; 2010 International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) Conference; Type-1 Igloo or “Army-type Structure” Explosives Magazines; Day Boxes; Table of Distances and Barricades; Recording Explosive Materials ”Used”; Inspection Violations; Black Powder Blanks; Deteriorated Explosives; U.S. Department of Defense Exemption Application to Contractors; Storage of Exempt Explosive Materials in Magazines; Notice of Errata; Orange Book Errata; Licensee/Permittee Population

Published/Revised: December 31, 2009

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

The purpose of this letter is to provide Federal explosives licensees and permittees with information about the recent district court decision regarding ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP). 

Published/Revised: July 17, 2009

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a federal firearms licensee (FFL) with respect to the passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act that took effect on June 19, 2009. 

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2009

What's In This Issue: New Chief of Explosives Industry Programs; New Web Pages; Fireworks Safety and Storage; Illegal Explosives; Fireworks Recordkeeping Variance; Updated Fireworks Q & As; Simplified License and Permit Structure; Change of Control; Scanned or E-Mailed Licenses; Igniter Storage with Rocket Motors in Attached Garages; Locking Issues; Bullet Resistance for Type-2 Indoor Storage; Detonator Boxes; Explosives Thefts

Published/Revised: June 30, 2009

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).

Published/Revised: May 1, 2009

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 advisory is a security checklist of best practices for all Federal explosives licensees and permittees.

Published/Revised: February 24, 2009

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the use and acceptance of electronically transmitted permanent change of station (PCS) military order to establish a transferee's state of residence.

Published/Revised: January 13, 2009

Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2009