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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
Regulatory 2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction [PDF - 68.58 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2012-3 - Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), Electronic Form [PDF - 1.41 MB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the AFMER, ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins [PDF - 73.14 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2012 - April - National - Unmarked Plastic Explosives [PDF - 115.98 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal law enforcement agencies and military components of certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 pertaining to plastic explosives that do not contain a detection agent.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Publication Compliance Guidelines for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees - ATF P 5400.23 [PDF - 285.05 KB]

This publication outlines and defines the compliance guidelines for federal explosive licensees and permittees, per the federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2012 - June - Alaska - Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number [PDF - 99.27 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Recordkeeping Requirements for Dealers of Explosive Materials - ATF P 5400.22 [PDF - 4.74 MB]

This publication defines what federally licensed explosives dealers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2011 - December - All FFLs - State of Residence [PDF - 70.01 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all federal firearms licensees that ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department of Justice's conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - December - All FFLs - Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions [PDF - 66.96 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all federal firearms licensees that ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms related to nonimmigrant alien provisions of the Gun Control Act.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosive Material Importers - ATF P 5400.21 [PDF - 3.67 MB]

This publication defines what each federally licensed importer must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2011 - November - All FFLs - Recent Changes to Florida State Law [PDF - 62.6 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida state law and to assist federal firearms licensees in complying with federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearm.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - September - All FFLs - Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes [PDF - 56.61 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to federal firearms laws.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - November - All FELs - Clarify the Definition of "Display Fireworks" in the Federal Explosives Regulations [PDF - 71.11 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to clarify the definition of "display fireworks" in the federal explosives regulations. 

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Publication Recordkeeping Requirements for Explosive Material Manufacturers - ATF P 5400.19 [PDF - 4.66 MB]

This publication identifies what licensed manufacturers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.    

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Publication Protection Orders and Federal Firearms Prohibitions - ATF I 3310.2 [PDF - 142.09 KB]

A qualifying court order may be issued by a criminal court or civil court, such as divorce court, family court, magistrate or general jurisdiction court. The following list enumerates the elements that define a qualifying protection order under the Federal firearms prohibition.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - August - All FFLs - Rural Route Address [PDF - 137.78 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide further guidance regarding purchasers who present an identification document bearing a rural route address.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - August - All FFLs - September 11th Anniversary [PDF - 89.4 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to encourage all federal firearms licensees to increase their awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Concealed Firearm Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.38 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - August - All FELs - September 11 Anniversary [PDF - 59.77 KB]

This open letter is to encourage federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11 approaches. The security of your explosives' storage sites is very important.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2011-4 - Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols [PDF - 82.73 KB]

Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - July - All FELs - Distribution to and Receipt of Explosive Pest Control Devices [PDF - 168.65 KB]

This letter provides information regarding the distribution to and receipt of explosives for pest control and mitigation purposes by states or their political subdivisions.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines [PDF - 97.6 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2011 - June - Iowa - Transferring a Firearm to an Unlicensed Person Using an Iowa Permit Alternative [PDF - 108.63 KB]

The open letter provides guidance to all Iowa federal firearms licensees when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person using an Iowa issued permit as an alternative to a NICS background check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report 2011 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 1.18 MB]

This report presents data drawn from a number of ATF reports and records in one comprehensive document. Included are metrics regarding firearms manufactured, exports, imports and more. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011 - May - Kansas - All FFLs - National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Requirement Exception [PDF - 109.55 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. This open letter supersedes the document by the same title, posted on April 8, 2010.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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