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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
Report Firearms Trace Data: Mexico - 2011-2016 [PDF - 752.1 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1, 2011 - Dec. 31, 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report 2017 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 932.03 KB]

2017 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Procedure 2017-1 - Facilitating Non-FFL Transfers of Firearms [PDF - 73.22 KB]

The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice - ATF I 5300.2 [PDF - 96.77 KB]

Federal law prohibits, except in certain limited circumstances, anyone under 18 years of age from knowingly possessing a handgun, or any person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under 18. A knowing violation of the prohibition against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under the age of 18 is, under certain circumstances, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report 2016 - Explosives Incident Report (EIR) [PDF - 6.64 MB]

2016 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Buyer [PDF - 190.16 KB]

This quick reference guide is to be given to an individual to assist them in using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication ATF e-Form 4473 - Quick Reference Guide for the Seller [PDF - 672.73 KB]

The quick reference guide is for federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who are using the e4473 form.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported - ATF Form 2 (5320.2) [PDF - 329.58 KB]

This form is used by qualified federal firearms licensees to report the manufacture or importation of an NFA firearm.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2017 - February - South Dakota - Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol [PDF - 33.24 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Fingerprint Card Instructions and Example - FD-258 [PDF - 1.64 MB]

This is a sample fingerprint card (FD-258) that is used when applying for a federal firearms license. This card can be order from the ATF Distribution Center online or by calling 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2009 [PDF - 59.43 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials.  Removes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP)

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2013 [PDF - 53.68 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. One addition: Black powder substitutes

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory List of Explosive Materials - 2003 [PDF - 53.97 KB]

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Two additions: Tetrazole explosives, and Ammonium perchlorate having particle size less than 15 microns.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Report 2015 - Arson Incident Report (AIR) [PDF - 4.68 MB]

The Annual Arson Incident Report (AIR) reviews arson-related incidents from data reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Published/Revised:

Arson
Report 2015 - Explosives Incident Report (EIR) [PDF - 1.91 MB]

The annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and explosives related incident and threat from information reported to the United States Bomb Data Center through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Report 2016 - Firearms Commerce Report [PDF - 847.43 KB]

2016 - Firearms Commerce Report

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2016-5 - Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors [PDF - 92.29 KB]

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2016-4 - Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [PDF - 55.07 KB]

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. CBP an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Alabama - 2015 [PDF - 1.56 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice Patriot Act Consultation Letter [PDF - 233.2 KB]

The Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice, invited Federally recognized tribes to consult with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the implications of ATF's pending final rule, implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco. 

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory Response to Tribal Consultations on the Implementation of Certain Provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act Relating to Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco [PDF - 39.82 KB]

The Department of Justice's response to comments received from the federally recognized tribes after consultation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the implications of ATF's pending final rule, implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Publication How to Conduct a Firearms Inventory - ATF P 5380.2 [PDF - 206.18 KB]

This publication provides guidelines on how to conduct a firearms inventory, dated July 2016.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2016 - June - West Virginia - All FFLs - HB4145 [PDF - 44.01 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance concerning West Virginia House Bill (HB) 4145 as it concerns the provisional licenses made eligible to West Virginia residents aged 18-20.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Wisconsin - 2015 [PDF - 1.55 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Pennsylvania - 2015 [PDF - 1.84 MB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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