Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of updated guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that reminds you of your obligations under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL.

Published/Revised: May 23, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2008, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more. 

Published/Revised: May 22, 2025

2024 - Firearms Commerce Report in the United States.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2025

WANT TO BE AN INDUSTRY OPERATIONS INVESTIGATOR? Industry operations investigators are the backbone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulatory mission. Their work is primarily investigative and routinely involves contact with, and interviews of, individuals from all walks of life and all levels of industry and government.

Published/Revised: May 20, 2025

This document provides information regarding the procedure for requesting a computerized bookkeeping variance.

Published/Revised: May 7, 2025

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

Published/Revised: May 2, 2025

NICS Alert Policy memo, dated April 23, 2025. The use of the NICS Alert is a valuable investigative technique for firearm trafficking investigations. It is critical that this tool is utilized properly and only when needed. To this end, we are undergoing an extensive review of all current alerts and stipulating additional requirements for future use of NICS alerts.

Published/Revised: April 25, 2025

PDF version of the G.R.E.A.T. program fact sheet, last updated July 2024. ATF’s G.R.E.A.T. program teaches young people to avoid gangs, resist peer pressure and build relationships with law enforcement officers. 

Published/Revised: April 11, 2025

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms located on the bottom floor of a two-story structure with respect to combustion on the upper floor.

Published/Revised: March 13, 2025

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. These documents are current as of Aug. 20, 2025. They are provided for informational purposes only.  

Published/Revised: March 6, 2025

FFLC Telephone Directory - March 4, 2025.

Published/Revised: March 5, 2025

One experiment was conducted to expose 48 cartridge casings to a fire in a single room compartment. 

Published/Revised: March 4, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: March 3, 2025

Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) must report to ATF each missing, lost, or stolen firearm from the FFL's inventory or collection within 48 hours of discovery of the loss or theft by completing and forwarding a Federal Firearms Licensee Theft/Loss Report (ATF Form 3310.11). In addition, the FFL must also report the firearm theft or loss to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. 

Published/Revised: February 27, 2025

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the contribution of oil-based paint to fire size in a two-story structure.

Published/Revised: February 26, 2025

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement in Central America with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from January 1 - December 31, 2023, on firearms recovered and traced, firearm types, calibers, source states, time-to-crime rates, possessor age, top recovery locations and more.

Published/Revised: February 18, 2025

This informational packet provides detailed information about the ATF special agent position to include major duties, basic qualifications, conditions of employment and specific requirements.

Published/Revised: February 13, 2025

These are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. These documents are current as of Oct. 25, 2024.

Published/Revised: February 11, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025

National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Protecting America from Trafficked Firearms - Volume Four. The data contained within NFCTA Volumes I-IV include select datasets reflecting firearms commerce and trafficking trends from 2000 through 2024. While these reports provide valuable insights, the parameters of the data varied from Volume to Volume and are not reflective of all the data ATF maintains. ATF is actively working to enhance the quality and scope of its data through improved collection methodologies and updated tracking systems. As these enhancements are implemented, future reports aspire to reflect more robust and comprehensive data.

Published/Revised: January 8, 2025