Publications

In response to continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border, the ATF reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials.

Published/Revised: April 19, 2011

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the recent amendment to Section 16-23-30, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the unlawful sale of handguns to certain person, so as to prohibit the sale of a handgun to persons under eighteen years of age rather than under twenty-one years of age has no effect on federal firearms laws and regulations.

Published/Revised: August 20, 2008

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

This open letter provides information regarding the effect of adding a vertical fore grip to a handgun, therefore making it a firearm that falls under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised: May 4, 2006

This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2008

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

Published/Revised: February 24, 2009

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Georgia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded.  The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification and guidance on alternative permit procedures that comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady law) for firearms transfers to unlicensed persons in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDWL) issued on or after July 12, 2006, will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: July 12, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a change to the look of the Federal firearms license (FFL) beginning Jan. 12, 2006, in response to feedback received from licensees.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of important changes to the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must follow beginning Oct. 1, 2003, in order to comply with the Brady Law. It also will advise you of the procedures you will have to follow to comply with Indiana state law.

Published/Revised: September 15, 2003

This open letter has been rescinded.  The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Nebraska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This Revenue Procedure sets out procedures for furnishing environmental information concerning proposed activities for which applications, notices, bonds, and formulas (hereinafter referred to as applications) are filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to urge licensed firearms dealers to identify their personal collection of firearms kept at the business premises.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

With the recent upsurge of terrorism in the world and particularly threats of terrorist activity in the United States, it is timely to again stress the importance of security for explosives.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to remind firearms dealers, manufacturers, and importers of the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and Subpart F of the Regulations thereunder (26 CFR 178) pertaining to sales or deliveries of firearms or ammunition between licensees.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of the specific provisions of revised regulations that require a Federal firearms licensee to make a report of a multiple sale or other disposition of pistols and revolvers.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and others concerned:  On Dec. 29, 1975, a bomb-blast ripped through New York's LaGuardia airport, killing 11 persons and injuring some 15 others. This tragic incident is but the latest in an alarming upward spiral of bombings that have occurred in cities, suburban communities, small towns and rural areas across America in recent years.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is to advise industry members and others concerned that, effective April 15, 1975, Bureau regulations formerly codified as 26 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter E--Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes) have been recodified into the Bureau's reserved Title 27 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter M-Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes). This recodification merely relocates the regulations and makes no technical changes in requirements.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is to inform those involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage or use of explosives that ATF Ruling77-13, which deals with reporting theft or loss of explosive materials, was published in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bulletin for May 1977.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

Importers of Firearms and Destructive Devices: Recently, ATF has noted cases where some importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source.

Published/Revised: April 13, 2020

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives Control to be held at the Fountain Bay Hotel, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 25-27, 1979.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives to be held at the Bahia Hotel, in San Diego, California, May 19-21, 1981.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of a Treasury decision effective Aug. 1, 1983, T.D. ATF - 135(48 FR 24065), implementing a three-year firearms license.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular has been published to inform you of a potential explosion hazard relating to a malfunctioning of automatic ammunition reloading equipment.

Published/Revised: August 12, 2024