Firearms Open Letters

Titlesort descending Description
All FFLs-Nov2003-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction (1.09 MB)
This letter serves to provide Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred. 
All FFLs-Nov2005-Open Letter-Lawful Importation of Certain Firearm Barrels into the United States for Commercial Purposes (34.31 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to update licensed and registered importers of firearms, ammunition and other regulated commodities on the lawful importation of certain firearm barrels into the United States for commercial purposes.
All FFLs-Nov2011-Open Letter-Recent Changes to Florida State Law (62.6 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida State law and to assist Federal firearms licensees in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearms.
All FFLs-Oct1998-Open Letter-Pawnbroker Transactions (29.24 KB)
The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 1999 provides that a pawnbroker may complete a NICS check when a firearm is offered as collateral for a loan, at the option of the dealer.  ATF will be publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting forth the procedures pawnbrokers must follow if they wish to complete the optional NICS check at the time a firearm is offered for pawn.
All FFLs-Oct2007-Open Letter-Availability of the Personal Firearms Record, ATF Form 3312.8 (85.09 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to make you aware of the availability of ATF Publication 3312.8, Personal Firearms Record.  This record is to help firearms owners adequately identify their firearms in case of a theft or loss. 
All FFLs-Open Letter-Nov 2023-Solvent Trap Devices (365.64 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearmsilencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

All FFLs-Sep2012-Open Letter-Building Positive Working Relationships with Industry Members (160.7 KB) This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all Federal firearms licensees and all Federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public.
All FFLs-Sept2004-Open Letter-Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs (44.22 KB)
This open letter is to advise the import community of the provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that no longer apply to the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAWs) and to transfer and possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs).
All FFLs-Sept2011-Open Letter-Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (56.61 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to Federal firearms laws.
All FFLs-September 2022-Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete AR-15/M-16 Type Receivers (1.01 MB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this open letter to further assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” receiver of an AR-15/M-16 variant weapon has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional receiver, and is therefore classified as a “frame or receiver” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F), which became effective August 24, 2022.

All NC FFLs-Open Letter- Aug 2023-Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (187.92 KB)

The purpose of this Open Letter is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
check requirement.

All States' Attorney General-May2007-Open Letter-Adjudicated as a Mental Defective (107.38 KB)
This open letter is to all States' Attorney General and focuses on working with each State in taking steps to identify person who are prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of their mental health history.
American Samoa-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (704.01 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in American Samoa of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Arizona-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (658.56 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Arizona of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Arkansas-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (892.25 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Arkansas of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
ATF Business Premises Guidance Letter 4-10-2020 (271.68 KB)

Letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in response to questions from industry members regarding the legality of firearm sales and deliveries exterior to the brick-and-mortar structure at which the firearms business is licensed, in light of the March 13, 2020, declaration of a national emergency concerning the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the Department of Homeland Security’s subsequent classification of firearms businesses as essential.

California-Apr2013-Open Letter-Completing ATF Forms 4473 While Complying with CA DOJ Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) Transaction Procedures (42.65 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.
California-May2015-Open Letter-Guidance for Completing ATF Forms 4473 while Complying with California DOJ DROS DES Transaction Procedures. (174.88 KB)
The ATF has received inquiries from California Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) concerning the correct procedure for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Forms 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) Entry System (DES) transaction procedures. 
California-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (37.92 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in California of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
California-Oct2004-California Entertainment Firearms Permit (34.43 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that, on September 20, 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger approved a change in California law that establishes an Entertainment Firearms Permit, and to further advise you of the affect this new permit may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.
Colorado Open Letter - HB1298.pdf (220.9 KB)

Colorado House Bill 1298 (HB1298) establishes a state requirement for an FFL in Colorado to obtain approval, in the form of a “proceed” response, from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prior to any firearm transfers. HB1298 prohibits the CBI from approving a firearm transfer until the CBI determines that its background investigation is complete and that the transfer would not violate federal prohibitions on firearms possession or result in a violation of state law. 

Colorado-July1999-Open Letter-Correction Notice-State of Colorado Point of Contact for Background Checks (94.52 KB)
The Colorado Department of Public Safety recently notified ATF that the State of Colorado will again act as the point of contact for NICS checks for all firearms transactions. Therefore, beginning August 1, 1999, in order to request a NICS check for any firearm transaction, you must contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Colorado-Mar1999-Open Letter-Correction Notice-Colorado Bureau of Investigation Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact (95.4 KB)

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will cease its operations as the NICS point of contact on March 31, 1999. Therefore, beginning April 1, 1999, in order to initiate a NICS check for any firearm, Colorado licensees must contact the FBI’s NICS Operations Center.

Connecticut-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (820.75 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Connecticut of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Delaware-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (44.76 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Delaware of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
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