Publications

No Mienta por otra PersonaADVERTENCIA. Cualquiera persona que se sospeche de violar las leyes Federales de armas de fuego, incluyendo la compra ilegal de un arma de fuego para otra persona, será denunciado a las autoridades.

Published/Revised: September 10, 2019

Purchasing a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one, or for someone who does not want his or her name associated with the transaction, is a “straw purchase,” a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Published/Revised: November 29, 2019

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,229,518,000 for FY 2014, including 5,192 positions and 4,876 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes a total of $14,587,000 in net adjustments-to-base (ATBs) which will allow ATF to maintain its current mission services. These ATBs will provide the funding to support employee payroll costs for existing staff, as well as resources to support the continued operation of ATFs land mobile radio program. Requested ATBs will also ensure continued refresh of critical technologies procured under the Radio Spectrum relocation initiative, which are vital to law enforcement operations. This request includes program increases of $73,078,000 to support the President’s National Gun Safety Initiative and Administration’s priority to reduce violent crime by increasing the criminal enforcement and inspections capabilities for ATF, increase capacity for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and enhance crime gun tracing activities. ATF will address firearms-related violence through a comprehensive intelligence-driven approach utilizing domain threat assessments to identify specific locations experiencing significant spikes in violence and illegal firearms activities.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,229,518,000 for FY 2014, including 5,192 positions and 4,876 full time equivalents (FTE). This request includes a total of $14,587,000 in net adjustments-to-base (ATBs) which will allow ATF to maintain its current mission services. These ATBs will provide the funding to support employee payroll costs for existing staff, as well as resources to support the continued operation of ATFs land mobile radio program. Requested ATBs will also ensure continued refresh of critical technologies procured under the Radio Spectrum relocation initiative, which are vital to law enforcement operations. This request includes program increases of $73,078,000 to support the President’s National Gun Safety Initiative and Administration’s priority to reduce violent crime by increasing the criminal enforcement and inspections capabilities for ATF, increase capacity for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and enhance crime gun tracing activities. ATF will address firearms-related violence through a comprehensive intelligence-driven approach utilizing domain threat assessments to identify specific locations experiencing significant spikes in violence and illegal firearms activities.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Exhibits for the FY2014 congressional budget submission.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

This handbook is primarily for the use of persons in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in firearms defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) or persons intending to go into an NFA firearms business. It should also be helpful to collectors of NFA firearms and other persons having questions about the application of the NFA. 

Published/Revised: November 12, 2019

Licensed manufacturers and importers are required to mark firearms manufactured or imported with specific identifying information.  ATF may authorize other means of identification ("marking variance") upon receipt of a letter application from a licensed manufacturer or importer.

Published/Revised: December 1, 2014

The 2014 edition of the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide contains information that will help you comply with federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition. This edition contains new and amended statutes enacted since publication of the 2005 edition, as well as updated regulations and rulings issued by ATF. Last revised September 2014.

Published/Revised: September 1, 2014

ATF has provided helpful hints for eForms users.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

This user manual is to be used by federal firearms licensees who have downloaded ATF's e4473 form. Last updated Dec. 2, 2020.

Published/Revised: December 2, 2020

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 document provides detailed information about the NFEA courses. 

Published/Revised: March 4, 2024

A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.

Published/Revised: September 1, 2011

Loss prevention for firearms retailers. As a firearms retailer you have a risk of burglary, theft, and loss. This guide will help you evaluate the security of your premises and help you develop a strategy for preventing losses. Last updated January 2016.

Published/Revised: January 1, 2015

This guide covers persons who have been convicted in any court of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) are generally prohibited under Federal law from receiving or possessing any firearm or ammunition in or affecting commerce.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2024

We’ve put together this guide to educate federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to facilitate private party sales of firearms. When individuals decide to use FFLs to facilitate the private sale of their firearms, it can enhance public safety, assist law enforcement, and help ensure firearms end up only in the hands of those who are legally allowed to possess them.

Published/Revised: February 28, 2024

This notice applies to activities permitted at bona fide gun shows, as defined in Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 478.100. Federal firearms licensees ("FFLs" or "Dealers") may only sell firearms at gun shows within the state in which their licensed premise is located. Revised June 2021.  

Published/Revised: June 1, 2021

The Freedom of Information Act allows any person to request information about organizations, businesses, investigations, historical events, incidents, groups, or deceased persons. You may use this document to identify the category of request into which your request falls.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2020

Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

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 is a brochure provides general guidance and an overview of the hearing process for federal firearms licensees (FFLs). 

Published/Revised: April 14, 2021

For destruction, regardless of manufacturer or model, a bump stock must be made incapable of being readily restored to its intended function by, e.g., crushing, melting or shredding the bump stock. The bump stock must be completely severed in each area indicated by the red line.

Published/Revised: January 31, 2019

By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Last revised August 2013.

Published/Revised: August 1, 2013

ATF guidance to help the public understand when those who buy and sell firearms must have a federal firearms license. Last updated August 2023.

Published/Revised: August 31, 2023