Rules Regulations Library
| Document Type | Title and Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Open Letter | 2001 - September - All FELs - Heightened Security Precautions Request for Explosives Licensees and Permittees
The purpose of this letter is to advise all persons holding federal explosives licenses or permits of heightened security precautions that should be taken in light of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Vermont - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Vermont of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - October - Northern Mariana Islands - All FFLs - Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification
This open letter informs Northern Mariana Island Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification Card Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2002 - May - All FELs - Asks that Explosives Licensees and Permittees Remain Vigilant When Selling Explosive Materials
The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | Open Letter to All FFLs - August 2025 - Franklin Armory Reformation and Antithesis Firearms
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is rescinding a prior Open Letter, dated Dec. 19, 2019, regarding the Franklin Armory Reformation firearm (2019 Open Letter). This open letter also advises FFLs on the classification of the Franklin Armory Reformation and Antithesis firearms under federal law.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2002 - All FELs - Safe Explosives Act Provisions for Blasting/Mining Educators
This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | Open Letter to All FFLs - May 2025 - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of updated guidance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that reminds you of your obligations under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - October - Alaska - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Alaska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2016 - January - National - Presidential Memorandum
Tracing firearms in connection with criminal investigations and improving availability of relevant Executive Brand records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - American Samoa - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Arizona - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arizona of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - New Hampshire - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Hampshire of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - September - All FFLs - Building Positive Working Relationships With Industry Members
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Arkansas - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arkansas of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Delaware - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Delaware of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - District of Columbia - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in the District of Columbia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 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 Letter | 2012 - June - Alaska - Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Florida - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Florida of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Montana - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - All FFLs - Pawnbroker Transactions
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.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - April - National - Unmarked Plastic Explosives
The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal law enforcement agencies and military components of certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 pertaining to plastic explosives that do not contain a detection agent.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 2005 - All FFLs - Lawful Importation of Certain Firearm Barrels Into the United States for Commercial Purposes
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.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - December - Indiana - Procedures for Indiana FFLs Using the Revised ATF Form 4473
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.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - December - Pennsylvania - Private Transfers of Firearms and Using NICS or the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS)
ATF has received questions from firearms dealers in Pennsylvania concerning the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)/Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to do background checks of people who are acquiring firearms from other nonlicensees in what are commonly called “private transfers.”
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
