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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
Regulatory 1998 - October - U.S. Virgin Islands - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you must follow beginning October 19, 2005, in order to comply with the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Connecticut - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.61 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Wyoming - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.56 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Wisconsin - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.49 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - West Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.89 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure to comply with Federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Washington - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.9 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.52 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Utah - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.59 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Texas - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.66 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Rhode Island - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.44 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Ohio - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.27 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Northern Mariana Islands - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you must follow beginning Oct. 19, 2005, in order to comply with the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - California - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.85 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 2005 - October - Alaska - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - American Samoa - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.5 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Arizona - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.43 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Arkansas - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.68 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Delaware - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.87 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - District of Columbia - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.7 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Florida - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.77 MB]

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

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - Montana - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.57 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1998 - October - New York - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.92 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 1999 - July - Colorado - Correction Notice - State of Colorado Point of Contact for Background Checks [PDF - 1.9 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The Colorado Department of Public Safety recently notified ATF that the State of Colorado will again act as the point of contact for NICS checks for all firearms transactions. Therefore, beginning Aug. 1, 1999, in order to request a NICS check for any firearm transaction, you must contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 2000 - April - North Dakota - Correction Notice - Qualifying Permit Alternatives to NICS Check [PDF - 1.91 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The provisions of North Dakota law regarding the issuance of concealed weapons permits were recently amended.  Based on these changes, concealed weapons permits issued on or after Dec. 1, 1999, will now qualify as alternatives to a NICS check at the time of transfer.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Regulatory 2023 - June - Oklahoma - All FFLs - Self Defense Act (SDA) Handgun License [PDF - 1.98 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after Nov. 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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