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Publications

ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.

Document Type Description Category
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Accessing Medical Records – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(14). 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: November 26, 2025

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9). 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: November 26, 2025

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Retaliation for Making a Protected Disclosure – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8). 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: November 26, 2025

Careers
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Violating Merit System Principles – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12). 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: November 26, 2025

Careers
Publication Dealing with Grief in the Aftermath of Losing a Loved One - ATF P 3314.1 [PDF - 446.79 KB]

Grief is a process, not an event. The memories, meanings and fulfilled needs provided by the lost loved one take time to work through. Losing someone close to you means you deserve to allow yourself to feel all your emotions, sadness, anger, intense longing, guilt, and others.  Revised Aug.2017

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Workforce and Mission
Publication Domestic Violence - ATF P 3254.1 [PDF - 248.67 KB]

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, or injure someone. Revised March 2018

Published/Revised: April 2, 2019

Workforce and Mission
Publication ATF Automation of Industry eForms - Helpful Hints for eForms Users [PDF - 483.25 KB]

ATF has provided helpful hints for eForms users.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

Firearms
Publication Automation of Industry eForms - ATF eForms 4473 User Manual - Dec. 2, 2020 [PDF - 3.17 MB]

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

Explosives
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Seller [PDF - 672.73 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

Firearms
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Buyer [PDF - 190.16 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 5, 2017

Firearms
Publication National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) Course Overview [PDF - 175.98 KB]

This document provides detailed information about the NFEA courses. 

Published/Revised: March 4, 2024

Firearms
Publication Protection Orders and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.2 [PDF - 142.09 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication January 2016 - Loss Prevention for Firearms Retailers - ATF P 5380.1 [PDF - 440.66 KB]

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, 2016

Firearms
Publication Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.3 [PDF - 237 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Facilitating Private Sales: A Federal Firearms Licensee Guide [PDF - 2.34 MB]

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

Firearms
Publication June 2021 - Important Notice to Dealers and Other Participants at Gun Shows - ATF I 5300.23A [PDF - 289.22 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication FOIA - Categories of Requesters [PDF - 57.41 KB]

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

Workforce and Mission
Publication Your Right to Federal Records - July 2011 [PDF - 975.8 KB]

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

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Workforce and Mission
Publication Federal Firearms Prohibitions Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(4) – Persons Adjudicated as a Mental Defective or Committed to a Mental Institution - ATF I 3310.4 [PDF - 99.72 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Explanation of the Hearing Process - Federal Firearms Licensees [PDF - 335.91 KB]

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

Published/Revised: April 14, 2021

Firearms
Publication Personal Firearms Record - ATF P 3312.8 [PDF - 295.23 KB]

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

Firearms
Publication Póster sobre rastreo y identificación de armas de fuego - ATF I 3317.5 [PDF - 15.79 MB]

Descripción completa del arma de fuego, poseedor del arma, complices e información para asegurar el rastreo comprensivo de todas las armas de fuego recuperadas usando el Formulario ATF 3312.1 (revisión de enero de 2007).

Published/Revised: July 2, 2019

Firearms
Publication Firearms Identification and Tracing Poster - ATF I 3317.5 [PDF - 1.91 MB]

Complete description of firearm, possessor, associate and recovery information  to ensure comprehensive tracing of all recovered firearms using ATF Form 3312.1 dated January 2007.

Published/Revised: April 28, 2016

Firearms
Publication Table of Distance Requirements - ATF P 5400.25 [PDF - 1.16 MB]

This publication provides the location for the Federal explosive regulations that require outdoor explosives storage magazines to be located.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

Explosives
Publication Safety and Security for Firearm Owners - ATF P 5300.22 [PDF - 493.56 KB]

The purpose of firearm safety is to eliminate or minimize the risks of unintentional damage, injury or death caused by improper possession, storage, or handling of a firearm. Firearm owners should handle the firearm safely and protect themselves and the public from the theft, loss or misuse of their firearm. Last updated July 2024.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2024

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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