Publications

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 Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.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

This open letter informs Northern Mariana Island Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification Card Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: October 17, 2005

Certain integral devices intended to diminish the report of paintball guns are not “firearm silencers” or “firearm mufflers” under the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: October 12, 2005

ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.

Published/Revised: September 8, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to provide important updated information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.

Published/Revised: August 12, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.

Published/Revised: July 13, 2005

This Open Letter is to advise all Federal Firearms Licensees and registered importers of U.S. munitions import list articles that ATF was advised by the Department of State, on a case-by-case basis, permit the retransfer of U.S. manufacturing military firearms that were sold or granted by the United States Government classified by ATF as curios or relics.

Published/Revised: July 12, 2005

The purpose of this open letter is to inform licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa.

Published/Revised: July 11, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that on July 1, 2005, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) will cease to operate as the point of contact (POC) for the National Instant Background Check (NICS) program, and to further advise you of the affect these changes may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.

Published/Revised: April 29, 2005

The letter provides information in response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge and the FR 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol.

Published/Revised: January 20, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System's (NICS) Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) has been established.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2004

The open letter is to inform all Washington State federal firearms licensees that as of Nov. 30, 2003, all the grandfathered permits will have expired, and Washington FFLs may longer accept a Washington concealed weapons permit as an alternative to a NICS check.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2004

The letter provides information on ATF's findings with regards to the improperly destroyed Russian GP-30 grenade launcher, which is classified as a destructive device.   

Published/Revised: October 14, 2004