Firearms Open Letters

Titlesort ascending Description
Michigan-Mar2004-Open Letter-Curbing the Flow of Illegal Crime Guns (74.97 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of ATF’s continued commitment and strong partnership with the Michigan firearms industry and to request your assistance in combating the illegal traffic and use of firearms.
Massachusetts-Oct2003-Open Letter-Massachusetts License to Carry No Longer an Alternative to NICS Check (78.08 KB)
This open letter is to inform all Massachusetts Federal firearms licensees that as of October 21, 2003 all previously grandfathered Massachusetts licenses to carry will have expired. 
Massachusetts-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (44.67 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Massachusetts of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Maryland-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (1007.63 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Maryland of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Maine-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (44.64 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Maine of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Louisiana-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (473.05 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Louisiana of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Louisiana-Jun2021-Open Letter-Lifetime Permit (286.37 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Louisiana Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permit meets the requirements as an alternative to the NICS check only during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the Lifetime Permit.

Louisiana-Apr2015-Open Letter-Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to to NICS Check (472.3 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana Federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 
Kentucky-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (509.17 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Kentucky of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Kentucky-May-2015-Open Letter-Guidance on Alternative Permit Procedures that Comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (62.49 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification and guidance on alternative permit procedures that comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady law) for firearms transfers to unlicensed persons in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This open letter supersedes the 2006 Open Letter to All Kentucky Federal Firearms Licensees with respect to alternatives to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check.
Kentucky-Jun2007-Open Letter-Amendment to What was Formerly Known as Kentucky’s Contiguous State Law (249.97 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to advise that the recent amendment to what was formerly known as Kentucky’s contiguous state law has no effect on Federal firearms laws and regulations.
Kentucky-July2006-Open Letter-Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (35.19 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDWL) issued on or after July 12, 2006, will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
Kansas-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (117.44 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). On November 30, 1998, the interim provisions of the Brady law will cease to apply, and the permanent provisions of the Brady law will take effect.

Kansas-May2011-Firearms-National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Requirement Exception. (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.
Kansas-July2013-Open Letter-Passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act (57.54 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance and information related to the passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act, Kansas, effective April 25, 2013.
Iowa-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (123.14 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Iowa of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Iowa-Jun2011-Open Letter-Transferring a Firearm to an Unlicensed Person Using an Iowa Permit Alternative (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. 
Indiana-Sept2003-Open Letter-Changes to Indiana Background Check Procedures (103.34 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of important changes to the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must follow beginning October 1, 2003, in order to comply with the Brady Law.  It also will advise you of the procedures you will have to follow to comply with Indiana State law.
Indiana-Oct1998-Firearms-Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) (44.65 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. The permanent provisions of the Brady law provide for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system (NICS) that licensees must contact before transferring any firearm to unlicensed individuals.
Indiana-Dec2005-Open Letter-Procedures for Indiana FFLs Using the Revised ATF Form 4473 (53.58 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to clarify that the revised ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over The Counter, has no effect on the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees must follow in order to comply with the Brady Law. The procedures enumerated in the September 2003 Open Letter To All Indiana Firearms Licensees are still in effect.
Illinois-May2008-Open Letter-Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) Cards No Longer Qualify as an (119.24 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
Idaho-Oct1998-Firearms-Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) (840.33 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.
Hawaii-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (44.84 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Hawaii of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Guam-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (879.94 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Guam of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Georgia-Oct2005-Open Letter-Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits No Longer Alternative to NICS Check (38.27 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Email Updates

Subscribe to receive news and update from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives