Firearms Open Letters

Titlesort ascending Description
All FFLs-July2004-Open Letter-ATF Requests Assistance in National Effort to Prevent Terrorism (151.75 KB) This open letter provides awareness information for Federal firearms licensees to incorporate in their daily business activities.
All FFLs-July2004-Open Letter-3rd Anniversary of September 11th Attack (28.79 KB)  It will be 3 years this September since America was attacked. We at ATF remain vigilant, but we are requesting your assistance in our national effort to prevent terrorism.
All FFLs-July2002-Open Letter-Importer Dealer Sales Samples (41.24 KB) This open letter contains information about recent changes that may affect your day-to-day operations and/or long range plans regarding dealer sales samples of machineguns.
All FFLs-Jan2013-Open Letter-Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals (297.42 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses.

All FFLs-Jan2009-Open Letter-Use and Acceptance of Electronically Transmitted Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Military Orders (180.3 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the use and acceptance of electronically transmitted permanent change of station (PCS) military order to establish a transferee’s State of residence.

All FFLs-Jan2009-Open Letter-Reporting Theft or Loss of Firearms from Inventory (47.79 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to reminder Federal firearms licensees of their responsibility in reporting any theft or loss of firearms from their inventory to ATF.

All FFLs-Jan2009-Open Letter-Availability of 2007 - 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances (ATF P 5300.5) (95.97 KB)
The purpose of this Open Letter is to make you aware of the availability of the 2007, 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5). This publication is now being distributed in a CD-ROM version.
All FFLs-Jan2006-Open Letter-Change to the Look of the Federal Firearms License (FFL) (49.73 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a change to the look of the Federal firearms license (FFL) beginning January 12, 2006, in response to feedback received from licensees.
All FFLs-Jan2006-Open Letter-Certain Firearms Transfers Affected by the Change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (35.37 KB)
The purpose of this Open Letter is to advise all Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of a recent change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as it relates to the transfer of certain types of firearms.
All FFLs-Jan2004-Open Letter-Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry (94.99 KB) This open letter discusses the importance of the partnerships that have been established between ATF and the firearms industry and to reinforce our joint responsibilities under the Gun Control Act (GCA).
All FFLs-Jan2001-Open Letter-"Do's" and "Don'ts" for Curio or Relic Firearms Collectors (113.71 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to apprise Federally licensed collectors of pertinent regulations of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).  In this letter are some major “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for collectors that are based on these provisions.
All FFLs-Dec2012-Open Letter-For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov (947.46 KB)
This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-State of Residence (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.
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions (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.
All FFLs-Dec2004-Open Letter-Establishment of the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System's Voluntary Appeal File (14.87 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System's (NICS) Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) has been established.

All FFLs-Dec2002-Open Letter-Homeland Security Act of 2002 - ATF Moves to the Department of Justice (25.56 KB) The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information on a provision of the recently enacted Homeland Security Act of 2002. This provision moves most of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice effective January 24, 2003.
All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-September 11th Anniversary (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.
All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-Rural Route Address (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.
All FFLs-Aug2010-Open Letter-Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers (100.87 KB)
This open letter contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.”
All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Guidelines for Natural Disasters (120.31 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide you guidance on certain regulatory requirements and voluntary security measures, as well as recommended guidelines for securing and moving firearms records and inventory in the event of a natural disaster.
All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Clarification for FFLs on Obtaining a Marking Variance (121.73 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR § 478.92. 
All FFLs-Aug2005-Open Letter-Extension of Time to Effect Importation of Approved Permits for Frames, Receivers or Barrels (33.62 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide important updated information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.
All FFLs-Apr2006-Open Letter-Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 (31.25 KB)
This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for “any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.”
All FFLs-Apr2001-Open Letter-End of Registration Period for Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and USAS-12 Shotguns (87.53 KB)
On February 9, 2001, ATF published a ruling that establishes a final deadline and ends the registration period for individuals who are currently in possession of the Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and the USAS-12 shotguns. The registration period for these shotguns will expire on May 1, 2001.
All FFLs - July 2023 - Open Letter - Safe Storage (205.12 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

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