| Title and Description |
|---|
| 2005 - July - All FFLs - Department of State Rescinded Sanctions on Trade in Defense Articles and Services From South Africa
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and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa. Published/Revised: |
| 2005 - April - Georgia - All FFLs - Georgia Crime Information Center Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that on July 1, 2005, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) will cease to operate as the point of contact (POC) for the National Instant Background Check (NICS) program, and to further advise you of the affect these changes may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.
Published/Revised: |
| 2005 - January - National - All FFLs - Fabrique Nationale FR 5.7 Pistol
The letter provides information in response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge and the FR 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol.
Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - December - All FFLs - Establishment of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System Voluntary Appeal File
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. Published/Revised: |
| 2003 - November - Washington - Washington Concealed Weapons Permits No Longer Valid Alternative to NICS Checks
The open letter is to inform all Washington State federal firearms licensees that as of Nov. 30, 2003, all the grandfathered permits will have expired, and Washington FFLs may longer accept a Washington concealed weapons permit as an alternative to a NICS check. Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - October - National - Improperly Destroyed Russian GP-30 Grenade Launcher
The letter provides information on ATF's findings with regards to the improperly destroyed Russian GP-30 grenade launcher, which is classified as a destructive device.
Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - September - All FFLs - Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs
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).
Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - July - All FFLs - Third Anniversary of September 11 Attack
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. Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - July - All FELs - ATF Director Letter to Explosives Industry to Be Aware and Be Secure
The purpose of this open letter is to advise Federal explosives industry licensees and permittees to remain diligent in security and protection of their explosives inventory. Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - May - All FFLs - Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the VRA
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. Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - March - Michigan - Curbing the Flow of Illegal Crime Guns
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.
Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - March - Michigan - All FFLs - Michigan Concealed Pistol Permit Not an Alternative to NICS
This open letter provides guidance regarding the use of a State of Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Permit (CPP, but commonly referred to as a CCW) and a License to Purchase a Pistol as alternatives to NICS background check.
Published/Revised: |
| 2004 - January - All FFLs - Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry
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). Published/Revised: |
| 2003 - November - All FFLs - Procedural Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction
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.
Published/Revised: |
| 2003 - October - Massachusetts - License to Carry No Longer an Alternative to NICS Check
This open letter is to inform all Massachusetts federal firearms licensees that as of Oct. 21, 2003, all previously grandfathered Massachusetts licenses to carry will have expired.
Published/Revised: |
| 2003 - September - Indiana - Changes to Indiana Background Check Procedures
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of important changes to the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must follow beginning Oct. 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.
Published/Revised: |
| 2002 - December - All FFLs - Homeland Security Act of 2002 - ATF Moves to the Department of Justice
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 Jan. 24, 2003. Published/Revised: |
| 2002 - July - All FFLs - Importer Dealer Sales Samples
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. Published/Revised: |
| 2001 - November - All FFLs - Supporting Documentation for Importation of Surplus Military Curio or Relic Firearms
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. Published/Revised: |
| 2001 - April - All FFLs - End of Registration Period for Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and USAS-12 Shotguns
On Feb. 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.
Published/Revised: |
| 2001 - January - All FFLs -Do's and Don'ts for Curio or Relic Firearms Collectors
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.
Published/Revised: |
| 2000 - December - Oregon - All FFLs - Notice of Amendment for All Oregon Firearms Background Checks
This letter has been rescinded. The provision of Oregon State law regarding all firearms background checks was recently amended. Effective Dec. 8, 2000, the Oregon State Police will act as the point of contact for all firearms background checks (handguns and long guns). Published/Revised: |
| 2000 - June - All FFLs - Open Letter to Importers Regarding CICAD Model Regulations
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). Published/Revised: |
| 1999 - September - South Carolina - Notice of Amendment - South Carolina Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has now notified ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that they will cease operations as the NICS point of contact on Sept. 30, 1999. Therefore, beginning Oct. 1, 1999, in order to initiate a NICS check for any firearm, South Carolina licensees must contact the FBI's NICS Operations Center
Published/Revised: |
| 1999 - March - Colorado - Correction Notice - Colorado Bureau of Investigation Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms Open Letters
Last Updated:
August 21, 2025
