Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to comply with recordkeeping requirements when there is a change to the response initially received by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during a background check for a firearm transfer.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2011

In response to continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border, the ATF reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials.

Published/Revised: April 19, 2011

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised: April 14, 2011

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to any person submitting ATF Form 4, Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm, or with ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of a Firearm.

Published/Revised: April 14, 2011

This open letter is to all federally recognized Indian tribes and explosives licensees and permittees and provides guidance regarding the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. The law created an exemption for federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal agencies from provisions of the Federal explosives laws with respect to display fireworks.

Published/Revised: March 15, 2011

Voluntary steps for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.

Published/Revised: March 1, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised: February 18, 2011

Persons holding a valid federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. 

Published/Revised: November 30, 2010

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: November 24, 2010

This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife. 

Published/Revised: November 12, 2010

For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.

Published/Revised: November 10, 2010

This form is used by federal, state and local, military and international law enforcement personnel applying for training conducted by ATF.

Published/Revised: November 1, 2010

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all State Attorneys General and State Tobacco Tax Administrators with information on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to persons who sell, transfer, or ship for profit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in interstate commerce or who advertise cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for such sale, transfer, or shipment on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).

Published/Revised: September 28, 2010

ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.” 

Published/Revised: August 27, 2010

ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: June 24, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal Firearms Licensee. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is providing you with the following information, intended to assist you in complying with Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 44.

Published/Revised: May 28, 2010

Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide Federal explosives licensees and permittees with information about the recent district court decision regarding ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP). 

Published/Revised: July 17, 2009

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a federal firearms licensee (FFL) with respect to the passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act that took effect on June 19, 2009. 

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2009

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requests $1,120,772,000 for FY 2010, including $1,114,772,000 in Direct Salaries and Expenses and 5,025 full time equivalents (FTE) and $6,000,000 for construction of explosives ranges at the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR).

Published/Revised: May 1, 2009