Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that the recent amendment to what was formerly known as Kentucky's contiguous state law has no effect on federal firearms laws and regulations.

Published/Revised: June 25, 2007

Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.

Published/Revised: January 26, 2007

Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.

Published/Revised: January 18, 2007

The NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.

Published/Revised: December 13, 2006

This notice provides information about the laws and public responsibility regarding firearms near to or in school zones. 

Published/Revised: October 1, 2006

This letter is to provide information to tribal law enforcement departments regarding the Omnibus Consolidation Appropriations Act of 1997.  This Act made it unlawful for any person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunitions.

Published/Revised: August 16, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDWL) issued on or after July 12, 2006, will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: July 12, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning July 1, 2006. On this day, Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Georgia Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2006

ATF is offering federal firearms licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2006

This open letter provides information regarding the use of an insert/sleeve designed to be installed in an Orion 25mm/12 gauge flare launcher that allows the use of conventional ammunition in these flare launchers.

Published/Revised: May 4, 2006

This open letter provides information regarding the effect of adding a vertical fore grip to a handgun, therefore making it a firearm that falls under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised: May 4, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise New York Federal firearms licensees that the New York license to carry and possess handguns  no longer qualifies as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 

Published/Revised: May 2, 2006

This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2006

This is to update information regarding the filing of certain National Firearms Act (NFA) forms by facsimile transmission as the functions of the NFA Branch have been relocated to Martinsburg, West Virginia from Washington, D.C.

Published/Revised: March 24, 2006

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of a recent change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as it relates to the transfer of certain types of firearms.

Published/Revised: January 30, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a change to the look of the Federal firearms license (FFL) beginning Jan. 12, 2006, in response to feedback received from licensees.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning Jan. 5, 2006. On this day, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: January 5, 2006

The purpose of this letter is to clarify that the revised ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I - Over The Counter, has no effect on the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees must follow in order to comply with the Brady Law. The procedures enumerated in the September 2003 Open Letter to All Indiana Firearms Licensees are still in effect.

Published/Revised: December 29, 2005

ATF has received questions from firearms dealers in Pennsylvania concerning the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)/Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to do background checks of people who are acquiring firearms from other nonlicensees in what are commonly called “private transfers.”

Published/Revised: December 29, 2005

ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.

Published/Revised: November 25, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to update licensed and registered importers of firearms, ammunition and other regulated commodities on the lawful importation of certain firearm barrels into the United States for commercial purposes.

Published/Revised: November 22, 2005

This open letter informs Federal firearms licensees in the U.S. Virgin Islands that the U.S. Virgin Islands Firearms Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This letter is superseded by ATF's Jan. 5, 2006, open letter.  The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

This open letter informs Alaska Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, only Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits marked "NICS EXEMPT" will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005