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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
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 1, Issue 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 326.03 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message from the Director of ATF; Tracing Firearms for Law Enforcement; Frequently Asked Questions

Published/Revised: December 31, 1983

Firearms
Newsletter 1991 - Volume 4 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 915.43 KB]

What's In This Issue: Computerized Recordkeeping Systems; A Message From the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME); Accidental Explosion of Detonators Reported to ATF; Quantity and Storage Restrictions; 27 CFR 55.63 - Explosives Magazine Changes; Storage of Explosives/Explosive Materials; 5-Year Record Retention; Multi State Explosives Licensing; Letters to the Editor; A Message From the National Explosives Tracing Center; Illegal Storage Led to Tragedy

Published/Revised: December 31, 1991

Explosives
Newsletter Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter Index - January 2022 [PDF - 174.18 KB]

Index for the Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) newsletters. Last updated January 2022.

Published/Revised: January 31, 2022

Explosives
Newsletter 1989 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 5.71 MB]

What's In This Issue: Open Letter; Movement of Explosive Materials Pertaining to Fireworks; Explosives Security; Binary Explosives Requirements; Black Powder Dealers' Records; Special Notice; ATF's Most Wanted

Published/Revised: December 31, 1989

Explosives
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 1 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 4.21 MB]

What's In This Issue: A Letter of Thanks; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Letters to the Editor; Lock and Key Control; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1990

Explosives
Newsletter 1990 - Volume 2 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 615.06 KB]

What's In This Issue: New Fireworks Regulations; Letters to the Editor; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1990

Explosives
Newsletter 1991 - Volume 5 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 10.13 MB]

What's In This Issue: Theatrical Flash Powder; DOT Eliminates Class A, B, and C Explosives; Good Storage Practices; News Release; Letters to the Editor; Law Enforcement Corner

Published/Revised: December 31, 1991

Explosives
Newsletter September 2006 - Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) Newsletter [PDF - 191.43 KB]

What's In This Issue: Compliance Issues Involving the Fireworks Industry; Table of Distances; License or Permit; Incomplete Applications; Securing Storage Magazines; Daily Summary of Magazine Transactions (Revisited); Questions and Answers

Published/Revised: September 30, 2006

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Employee Possessor [PDF - 271.62 KB]

This presentation defines an Employee Possessor and provides the procedures for reporting Employee Possessors to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the clearance process, and at what point an employee may possess explosives.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) [PDF - 325.24 KB]

This presentation provides an overview of the Federal Explosives Licensing Center’s (FELC) responsibilities for reviewing and processing all new applications for federal explosives licenses and/or permits as well as renewals, the background check process, and ensuring sufficiency of information received.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Type 3 Magazines [PDF - 261.28 KB]

This presentation provides an overview of Type 3 magazine construction, reporting requirements and use intended for temporary attended storage on a worksite. 

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Underground Storage [PDF - 2.19 MB]

This presentation provides a history of the implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, the intention of the legislation and the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to regulate the storage of explosives, above ground or underground. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with ATF, the Mine Safety and Health Administration will inspect underground explosives storage sites for compliance with 27 CFR part 555, subpart K, Storage and will cite for any violations.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - General Variance Requests [PDF - 2.65 MB]

This presentation details when a variance to deviate from the explosive's regulations may be requested, to whom they may be issued, where to direct such requests and documentation from the requestor to assist in evaluation of those requests.

Published/Revised: June 15, 2022

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Fireworks [PDF - 1.31 MB]

This presentation on fireworks provides an overview of the classification of explosive materials and exemptions under Part 555. The presentation also addresses storage, identifying appropriate Tables of Distances and determining if a variance to deviate from the regulations might be needed.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication 2020 - September - Presentation - Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk (IMESAFR) [PDF - 1.62 MB]

This presentation details the process for requesting a variance for deviating from the explosives regulations through use of a quantitative risk assessment software tool known as "Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk." The software tool is designed, in part, to evaluate the risks of a fatality from an accident involving stored explosives.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

Explosives
Publication New Training Aid for the Overview of Final Rule 2021R-05F Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms and SBA Compliance Guide [PDF - 858.76 KB]

Training aid to go with the final rule overview for federal firearms licensees and small businesses. 

Published/Revised: May 24, 2022

Firearms
Publication AFMER eForms Registration Instructions [PDF - 132.4 KB]

Instructions have been outlined to assist you with your eForms registration.

Published/Revised: September 28, 2023

Firearms
Publication July 2023 - F.A.I.R. Imports Conference Outreach Training Materials - Marking Requirements, Gunsmithing Rules [PDF - 505.54 KB]

The Office of Enforcement Programs and Services (EPS) has provided a downloadable version of the presentation of sessions held on July 14, 2023.  

Published/Revised: July 5, 2023

Firearms
Publication July 2023 - F.A.I.R. Imports Conference Outreach Training Materials - Govt Contracts, Furnished Equipment [PDF - 2.11 MB]

The Office of Enforcement Programs and Services (EPS) has provided a downloadable version of the presentation of sessions held on July 14, 2023.  

Published/Revised: July 5, 2023

Firearms
Publication July 2023 - F.A.I.R. Imports Conference Outreach Training Materials - Govt Contracts, Furnished Equipment [PDF - 2.11 MB]

The Office of Enforcement Programs and Services (EPS) has provided a downloadable version of the presentation of sessions held on July 14, 2023.  

Published/Revised: July 5, 2023

Firearms
Publication July 2023 - F.A.I.R. Imports Conference Outreach Training Materials - NFA 922(o) [PDF - 1.07 MB]

The Office of Enforcement Programs and Services (EPS) has provided a downloadable version of the presentation of sessions held on July 12, 2023. 

Published/Revised: July 5, 2023

Firearms
Publication ATF Organization Chart [PDF - 375.34 KB]

A visual representation outlining the roles, reporting relationships and hierarchy of the organization. 

Published/Revised: February 18, 2022

Workforce and Mission
Publication Firearms Curios or Relics List - 1972-2007 [PDF - 520.39 KB]

A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR § 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

Firearms
Publication Firearms Curios or Relics List - January 1972-April 2018 [PDF - 587.34 KB]

A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR § 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. This document includes a complete list of firearms curios or relics classifications from the previous editions of the Firearms Curios or Relics (C&R) List, ATF P 5300.11, combined with those made by FATD through April 2018.

Published/Revised: June 11, 2018

Firearms
Publication Firearms Curios or Relics List - January 1972-April 2025 [PDF - 631.64 KB]

A regulation implementing federal firearms laws, 27 CFR § 478.11, defines curio or relic (C&R) firearms as those which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. This document includes a complete list of firearms curios or relics classifications from the previous editions of the Firearms Curios or Relics (C&R) List, ATF P 5300.11, combined with those made by FATD through April 2025.

Published/Revised: July 17, 2025

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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