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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
Laboratories Arc Melting in Electrical Receptacles Research Photographs [PDF - 32.75 MB]

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide a selection of photographs of various receptacle failures as a reference for fire investigators and engineers.

Published/Revised: December 18, 2025

Laboratories
Publication Fact Sheet: Explosives in the United States [PDF - 539.28 KB]

Due to the potential misuse of these explosive materials to the detriment of public safety, the role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in protecting the public from unsafe or unsecure storage is vital. ATF’s jurisdiction over explosives extends to requiring licenses to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing and/ or distributing explosives materials. An ATF permit is also required to ship, transport or receive explosives. ATF regularly inspects the explosives storage magazines and records of explosives licensees and permittees to ensure compliance with federal explosives regulations.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2025

Explosives
Laboratories 2021 - Fire Research Laboratory Technical Bulletin - Arc Melting on Cables Protected by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupting, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting, and Thermal Magnetic Circuit Breakers [PDF - 3.94 MB]

The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to provide the photographs and waveforms produced during the testing and research that examined the relationship between the formation of arc melting and the type of circuit protection device used on the circuit.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2025

Workforce and Mission
Publication Hiring Offense Information Sheet: Coercing Political Activity – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3). 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: Nondisclosure Forms, Policies & Agreements – 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13) [PDF - ]

This information sheet provides general guidance and background information on 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13). 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: 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
Regulatory Limited Permittee Transaction Report - ATF Form 5400.4 [PDF - 1000.78 KB]

This form must be completed for each transaction involving the distribution of explosive materials to persons who have a Federal explosives limited permit.

Published/Revised: October 30, 2025

Explosives
Regulatory 2025 - September - All FFLs - Franklin Armory Letter Clarification [PDF - 158.8 KB]

ATF is committed to full transparency in the classification of firearms. This statement addresses the circumstances and legal landscape surrounding Franklin Armory’s “Antithesis” firearms. 

Published/Revised: September 25, 2025

Firearms
Report 2020 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 446.78 KB]

The 2020 theft/loss report for January - December 2020.

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2016 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 735.88 KB]

Queries of the Firearms Tracing System (FTS) were used to determine which firearms were reported in Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Thefts/Losses. This information was extracted from the FTS on Feb. 17, 2017.

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2017 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 282.26 KB]

Queries of the Firearms Tracing System (FTS) were used to determine which firearms were reported in Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Thefts/Losses. This information was extracted from the FTS on Jan. 3, 2018.

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2015 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 849.16 KB]

2015 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2014 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 791.76 KB]

2014 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2012 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 659.48 KB]

2012 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2013 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 541.36 KB]

2013 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2018 - Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report [PDF - 745.5 KB]

Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Theft/Loss Report - Data Source: Firearms Tracing System (FTS) - January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018

Published/Revised: September 16, 2025

Firearms
Report 2023 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 2.81 MB]

2023 - Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised: September 12, 2025

Firearms
Report 2022 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 2.53 MB]

2022 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised: September 12, 2025

Firearms
Report 2021 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 2.21 MB]

2021 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised: September 12, 2025

Firearms
Report 2020 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 2.15 MB]

2020 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised: September 12, 2025

Firearms
Report 2021 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 1.39 MB]

2021 Firearms Commerce Report in the United States.

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

Firearms
Report 2019 - Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (AFMER) [PDF - 1.82 MB]

2019 - Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER)

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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