Publications

PDF version of the NIBIN fact sheet for fiscal year 2024. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.

Published/Revised: June 27, 2025

ATF has determined that federal firearms licensees may lawfully import “dual-use” firearm barrels—barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms—under 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the barrel. Importation may be approved regardless of whether a barrel had been previously configured on non-sporting, military surplus, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Further, once the barrel is in the United States, ATF has determined that nothing in the statutes prevent a dual-use barrel from being used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or NFA firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) (assembly of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun) and the NFA, 26 U.S.C. chapter 53, as applicable. This Ruling supersedes a November 2005 ATF Open Letter on dual-use barrels.

Published/Revised: June 24, 2025

ATF authorizes the importation of certain marking rounds (“training rounds”) because these training rounds do not meet the definition of “ammunition” as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A). These items are not designed for offensive and defensive combat and are not “designed for use in any firearm.” Similarly, training rounds are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act because they are not designed for use in any “firearm” as defined in the permanent importation regulations implementing that statute. An importer of training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm may import the rounds without submitting an ATF Form 6, Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 5330.3A). Note, however, less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, is generally considered ammunition. This Ruling only applies to training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm. 

Published/Revised: June 24, 2025

PDF version of the Tobacco Enforcement fact sheet, last updated in 2025. ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act and the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, which now includes Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, such as vapes.

Published/Revised: June 23, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Canada with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised: June 10, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Mexico with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised: June 10, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Central America with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised: June 10, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in the Caribbean with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised: June 10, 2025

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of updated guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that reminds you of your obligations under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL.

Published/Revised: May 23, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. 

Published/Revised: May 22, 2025

2024 - Firearms Commerce Report in the United States.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2025

WANT TO BE AN INDUSTRY OPERATIONS INVESTIGATOR? Industry operations investigators are the backbone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulatory mission. Their work is primarily investigative and routinely involves contact with, and interviews of, individuals from all walks of life and all levels of industry and government.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2025

This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance.

Published/Revised: May 7, 2025

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only.

Published/Revised: May 2, 2025

NICS Alert Policy memo, dated April 23, 2025. The use of the NICS Alert is a valuable investigative technique for firearm trafficking investigations. It is critical that this tool is utilized properly and only when needed. To this end, we are undergoing an extensive review of all current alerts and stipulating additional requirements for future use of NICS alerts.

Published/Revised: April 25, 2025

PDF version of the G.R.E.A.T. program fact sheet, last updated July 2024. ATF’s G.R.E.A.T. program teaches young people to avoid gangs, resist peer pressure and build relationships with law enforcement officers. 

Published/Revised: April 11, 2025

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. The documents are used in ATF Laboratories and not published with the intent of setting a policy or analysis standard for other laboratories. The inclusion of product names does not imply endorsement by ATF Laboratories.

Published/Revised: April 10, 2025

Program information for the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) for 2025-2026.

Published/Revised: April 7, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(2). 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: March 31, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(6). 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: March 31, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(11). 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: March 31, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(7). 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: March 31, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(5). 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: March 31, 2025

This U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(4). 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: March 31, 2025

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. These documents are current as of Feb. 5, 2025.

Published/Revised: March 13, 2025