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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 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:

Firearms
Laboratories Laboratory Services - Materials (Trace Evidence) - June 2024 [PDF - 3.34 MB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only.

Published/Revised:

Laboratories
Laboratories Laboratory Services - Explosives - June 2024 [PDF - 475.31 KB]

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only.

Published/Revised:

Laboratories
Regulatory Engaging as a Business - Texas et al. v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives et al., 2:24-cv-00089-Z (N.D. Tex.) [PDF - 275.18 KB]

Before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Preliminary Injunction (“Motion”) (ECF No. 16), filed May 9, 2024. Defendants filed their response (“Response”) (ECF No. 31) on May 14, 2024. Having reviewed the briefing and relevant law, the Court GRANTS the Motion. Defendants are hereby ENJOINED from enforcing the regulations — “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms” (hereinafter “Final Rule”) — published at 89 Fed. Reg. 28968 (April 19, 2024) (to be codified at 27 C.F.R. pt. 478) against Plaintiffs Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah, Jeffrey Tormey (“Tormey”), the Gun Owners of America, Inc. (“GOA”), the Gun Owners Foundation (“GOF”), the Tennessee Firearms Association (“TFA”), and the Virginia Citizens Defense League (“VCDL”) pending the resolution of this lawsuit.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report May 2024 - Firearms Compliance Inspection Results [XLSX - 13.39 KB]

ATF is responsible for licensing persons engaged in manufacturing, importing, and dealing in firearms. ATF provides month-by-month firearms compliance inspection results as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Do I Need a License to Buy or Sell Firearms? - ATF P 5310.2 [PDF - 1.55 MB]

This publication contains information to help the public understand when those who buy and sell firearms must have a federal firearms license.

Published/Revised:

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:

Firearms
Regulatory Application for an Amended Federal Explosives License or Permit - ATF Form 5400.33 [PDF - 307.29 KB]

This application must be completed by any federal explosives licensee or permittee (FEL/P) who intends to make changes, such as the name and/or address, to an active license or permit.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer (National Firearms Act) - ATF Form 5320.3 (Form 3) [PDF - 507.59 KB]

This form is used to request approval to transfer a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm from one qualified federal firearms licensee (FFL) to another qualified special taxpayer.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report April 2024 - Firearms Compliance Inspection Results [XLSX - 12.86 KB]

ATF is responsible for licensing persons engaged in manufacturing, importing, and dealing in firearms. ATF provides month-by-month firearms compliance inspection results as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication ATF National Canine Division Program Application Package [PDF - 1.63 MB]

 In this package you will find a “draft” Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), Canine Program Application, and procedural flow chart.

Published/Revised:

Careers
Software July 2020 - e4473 Forms Installation Guide [PDF - 773.52 KB]

User installation guide for federal firearms licensees (FFLs) downloading the e4473 form. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Application for Explosives License or Permit - ATF Form 5400.13/5400.16 [PDF - 419.16 KB]

This form is used to determine the eligibility of the applicant to engage in certain operations, to determine the location and extent of operations, and to determine whether the operations will be in conformity with federal laws and regulations when working with explosives.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory Environmental Information - ATF Form 5000.29 [PDF - 216.04 KB]

This form is used by ATF to determine if any environmental impact statement or environmental permit is necessary for the proposed operation.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory Report of Theft or Loss-Explosive Materials - ATF Form 5400.5 [PDF - 244.48 KB]

The purpose of this form is to report the theft or loss of explosive materials to ATF.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Foreword - Director [PDF - 189 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2022R-17 - Final Rule: Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms [PDF - 2.75 MB]

The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Final Rule 2022R-17F - Questions & Answers [PDF - 295.1 KB]

Questions and answers regarding Final Rule 2022R-17F.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis - Volume II - Part IV - Crime Guns Recovered Outside the U.S. and traced by LE [PDF - 1.07 MB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. The second volume focuses on data, information, and analysis relating to crime guns recovered by law enforcement during domestic and international investigations. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis - Volume II - Part III - Crime Guns Recovered and Traced U.S. [PDF - 973.17 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. The second volume focuses on data, information, and analysis relating to crime guns recovered by law enforcement during domestic and international investigations. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Part - VII [PDF - 166.54 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Part - VIII [PDF - 289.75 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Part - IX [PDF - 769.08 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Part - X [PDF - 261.19 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume III - Part - XI [PDF - 204 KB]

The NFCTA is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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