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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 ATF Industry Circular 84-10: Sales of Firearms by FFLs at Gun Shows [PDF - 235.35 KB]

All Federal Firearms Licensees and Others Concerned: This is to notify you that as a result of a formal process which began on April 22, 1980, the regulations have been changed (effective Nov. 29, 1984), to allow licensees to engage in business at gun shows held within the same State as the licensed premises.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 91-1: Explosives Security [PDF - 1.52 MB]

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members of serious problems with storage of explosives which may pose a danger to the public, and to alert industry members to the possibility of theft of explosives by terrorists because of the deteriorating Mideast situation.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 95-1: Diversion of Distilled Spirits [PDF - 51.3 KB]

This circular reminds proprietors of distilled spirits plants (DSPs), importers, wholesalers and other persons who purchase distilled spirits products from DSPs of their responsibility to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws with respect to such sales.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - ATF Form 6 Part 1 (5330.3A) [PDF - 416.97 KB]

This form is used to apply to permanently import firearms, ammunition and implements of war.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Don't Lie for the Other Guy - Postcard [PDF - 1.09 MB]

Purchasing a gun for someone who is prohibited by law from possessing one, or for someone who does not want his or her name associated with the transaction, is a “straw purchase,” a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 2000-4: Sale of Certain Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes on or After Feb. 7, 2001 [PDF - 33.76 KB]

This industry circular warns businesses about selling or holding for sale tobacco products and cigarette papers or tubes manufactured in the United States and labeled for exportation. On or after Feb. 7, 2001, if you sell or hold for sale such products for domestic consumption, you may incur civil and criminal penalties.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 95-1: Diversion of Distilled Spirits for Purposes of Smuggling [PDF - 36.49 KB]

This circular reminds proprietors of distilled spirits plants (DSPs), importers, wholesalers and other persons who purchase distilled spirits products from DSPs of their responsibility to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws with respect to such sales.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory Industry Circular 93-5: Tax-Exempt and Tax-Free Sales of Firearms, Shells and Cartridges [PDF - 826.38 KB]

This circular gives general guidance to firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers about making tax-exempt or tax-free sales of firearms, and shells and cartridges (ammunition).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication ATF National Firearms Act Handbook - ATF P 5320.8 [PDF - 10.36 MB]

This handbook is primarily for the use of persons in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in firearms defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) or persons intending to go into an NFA firearms business. It should also be helpful to collectors of NFA firearms and other persons having questions about the application of the NFA. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1968-28: Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War [PDF - 2.18 MB]

This circular announces the transfer of the Arms Import Control Program from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1974-11: Environmental Responsibilities [PDF - 703.5 KB]

This circular advises proprietors of their responsibility to ATF with respect to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, and of the possible effects of these requirements upon their activities.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1985-11: Surplus Military Firearms Frames or Receivers [PDF - 652.36 KB]

This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1986-8: Curio and Relic Updates [PDF - 1.17 MB]

This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1970-14: Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War [PDF - 3.19 MB]

This circular announces the issuance of a new Treasury Department regulation, Part 180 of Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1986-15: Armor Piercing Ammunition [PDF - 840.42 KB]

This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on Aug. 28,1986. This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory ATF Industry Circular 1982-8: Discontinuance of ATF Form 5400.3, for Black Powder [PDF - 659.16 KB]

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2019 - October - Minnesota - All FFLs - NICS Background Check Prior to Firearm Transfer to Non-Licensee [PDF - 435.49 KB]

All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Don't Lie for the Other Guy (No Mienta por otra Persona) - Counter Mat (SP) [PDF - 434.92 KB]

No Mienta por otra PersonaADVERTENCIA. Cualquiera persona que se sospeche de violar las leyes Federales de armas de fuego, incluyendo la compra ilegal de un arma de fuego para otra persona, será denunciado a las autoridades.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Publication Don't Lie for the Other Guy (No Mienta por otra Persona) - Poster (SP) [PDF - 161.13 KB]

No Mienta por otra PersonaCompre un arma de fuego para alguien á quien se le prohíbe la compra, y estará comprando 10 años de cárcel para Usted mismo.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Maryland - 2018 [PDF - 861.02 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2018.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Rev. Rul. 72-178 - Obsolete ATF Rulings [PDF - 217.57 KB]

Periodic review of outstanding revenue rulings reflect that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm - ATF Form 5 (5320.5) [PDF - 1.06 MB]

This form is used to apply the tax-exempt transfer of an unserviceable (welded) firearm to anyone other than a federal firearms licensee who has paid the required special (occupational) tax to deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms and to or from government agencies.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm - ATF 5320.4 (Form 4) [PDF - 1.12 MB]

Application for tax paid transfer and registration of firearm used to request approval to transfer a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm subject to transfer tax liability. Typically submitted for a transfer to an individual or legal entity such as a trust.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Massachusetts - 2018 [PDF - 779.83 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2018.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Report Firearms Trace Data: Mississippi - 2018 [PDF - 819.77 KB]

This report provides detailed firearms trace data to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. It includes statistics from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2018.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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