Firearms Open Letters

Titlesort descending Description
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-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-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-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-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-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All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Department of State Rescinded Sanctions on Trade in Defense Articles and Services from South Africa (70.81 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to inform licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa.
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Importation of Frames, Receivers or Barrels of Firearms Under Title 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) (40.9 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Importation of U.S. Manufactured Surplus Military Firearms Classified as Curios or Relics (100.63 KB) This Open Letter is to advise all Federal Firearms Licensees and registered importers of U.S. munitions import list articles that ATF was advised by the Department of State, on a case-by-case basis, permit the retransfer of U.S. manufacturing military firearms that were sold or granted by the United States Government classified by ATF as curios or relics.
All FFLs-July2009-Open Letter-Selling or Delivering Firearms Frames or Receivers (103.66 KB) The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers.
All FFLs-June2000-Open Letter-Open Letter to Importers Regarding CICAD Model Regulations (112.73 KB) Through a final rule published June 20, 2000, in the Federal Register, ATF is amending its regulations and affected forms to comply with Model Regulations for the Control of the International Movement of Firearms, Their Parts and Components, and Ammunition (the Model Regulations).
All FFLs-June2007-Open Letter-Post Office (P.O.) Boxes or Rural Route Numbers as a Residence Address (295.3 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding firearms transferees whose only identification documents indicate only Post Office Box or Rural Route number as a residence address.
All FFLs-Mar 2022-Open Letter-Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs) (268.72 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly known as “forced reset triggers” (FRTs) and has determined that some of them are “firearms” and “machineguns” as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and “machineguns” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA).

All FFLs-Mar2006-Open Letter-Filing National Firearms Act (NFA) Transaction Forms by Facsimile Transmission (34.03 KB) This is to update information regarding the filing of certain National Firearms Act (NFA) forms by facsimile transmission as the functions of the NFA Branch have been relocated to Martinsburg, West Virginia from Washington, DC.
All FFLs-May2004-Open Letter-Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) (42.08 KB) A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms.
All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun (192.32 KB) This open letter provides information regarding the affect of adding a vertical fore grip to a handgun, therefore making it a firearm that falls under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-Flare Inserts-Any Other Weapon (711.28 KB)
This open letter provides informations regarding the use of an insert/sleeve designed to be installed in an Orion 25mm/12 gauge flare launcher that allows the use of conventional ammunition in these flare launchers.
All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-New E-mail Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees (25.93 KB)

ATF is offering Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email.

All FFLs-May2007-Open Letter-Guidelines for Natural Disasters (135.14 KB) This open letter provides 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-May2007-Open Letter-Virginia Tech Tragic Events (90.52 KB) We at ATF were saddened by the tragic events that unfolded at Virginia Tech just last month. In the immediate aftermath, many questions arose about whether the person responsible for the shootings was prohibited under Federal law from possessing a firearm.
All FFLs-May2008-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance for Licensed and/or Registered Importers for ATF Form 6A (299.9 KB) This open letter is a reminder of the procedures to follow when completing ATF Form 6A as outlined in 27 CFR 478.112 and on the instruction page of the form.
All FFLs-May2008-Open Letter-Security Firms Temporarily Assigning Firearms to Unlicensed Employees (95.91 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to inform security firms and other persons who have Federal firearms licenses (FFLs), and who may temporarily assign firearms to their unlicensed employees in furtherance of legitimate business purposes, of the statutory and regulatory requirements that affect them.
All FFLs-May2011-Open Letter-Complying with Recordkeeping Requirements When the Initial NICS Response is Changed (101.56 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to comply with recordkeeping requirements when there is a change to the response initially received by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during a background check for a firearm transfer.
All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (75.08 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968.

All FFLs-Nov2001-Open Letter-Supporting Documentation for the Importation of Surplus Military Curio or Relic Firearms (89.89 KB) In response to the recent number of inquiries from licensed importers concerning the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms and the submission of supporting documentation, ATF has published ATF Ruling 2001-3.
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