Firearms
The Bureau and Law Enforcement
ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes and pursues an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy. Investigative priorities focus on armed violent offenders and career criminals, narcotics traffickers, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international arms traffickers. Sections 924(c) and (e) of Title 18 of the United States Code provide mandatory and enhanced sentencing guidelines for armed career criminals and narcotics traffickers as well as other dangerous armed criminals.
ATF uses these statutes to target, investigate and recommend prosecution of these offenders to reduce the level of violent crime and to enhance public safety. ATF also strives to increase State and local awareness of available Federal prosecution under these statutes. To curb the illegal use of firearms and enforce the Federal firearms laws, ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections. In addition to aiding the enforcement of Federal requirements for gun purchases, compliance inspections of existing licensees focus on assisting law enforcement to identify and apprehend criminals who illegally purchase firearms.
The inspections also help improve the likelihood that crime gun traces will be successful, since industry operations investigators educate licensees in proper record keeping and business practices.
Federal Firearms Licensees
The Tools and Services for Licensees section contains information for the firearms industry and its members, classifications of firearms and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479.
If you need assistance regarding firearms enforcement-related issues, please contact your local ATF office.
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms in Commerce - Volume One
The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data collected by ATF and other federal agencies related to the manufacture, exportation, and importation of firearms.
Download the NFCTA - Volume One
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Gun Intelligence and Analysis - Volume Two
The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on “crime guns”, that is firearms diverted from lawful commerce and recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations.
Download the NFCTA - Volume Two
National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Firearms Trafficking Investigations - Volume Three
The National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment is a comprehensive report on firearms commerce and trafficking. This volume presents and analyzes data on ATF firearm trafficking investigations initiated between 2017 and 2021. For purposes of this study, ATF firearm trafficking investigations were defined as cases that involved “the movement of one or more firearms into the illegal market for a criminal purpose.
What's New
New Nov 7, 2024: All FFLS - October 2024 - Open Letter - Allowable Activities for Firearms Brought into Customs Bonded Warehouses and Foreign Trade Zones
New Oct. 8, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: Federal Firearms License (FFL) RENEWAL Application—ATF Form 8 (5310.11) Part II - Comment period: Oct. 8 - Dec. 9, 2024
New Oct. 8, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested: Revision of a Previously Approved Collection: FFL Out of Business Records Request— ATF Form 5300.3A - Comment period: Oct. 8 - Dec. 9, 2024
New Aug. 21, 2024: Agency Information Collection Activities; Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers— ATF Form 3310.4 - Comment period: Aug. 19 - Oct. 18, 2024
June 27, 2024: Rulemaking: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Conforming Regulations
May 14, 2024: ATF's Firearms Destruction Policy
April 11, 2024: Final Rule: Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms
Dec. 12, 2023: Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy - Read the Final Report and Revocation Documents
Nov. 20, 2023: Open Letter: Solvent Trap Devises
Oct. 31, 2023: Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy - Read the Final Report and Revocation Documents
Sept. 28, 2023: Firearms Trace Data - 2022
March 21, 2023: Public Safety Advisory to All Federal Firearms Licensees, and Firearm Parts, Components, and Accessories Manufacturers and Distributors
March 16, 2023: Open Letter: Changes to Vermont Law 13 V.S.A. § 4019
Jan. 31, 2023: Rulemaking Notice: Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘‘Stabilizing Braces’’ - Effective Date: Jan. 31, 2023
Jan. 12, 2023: Open Letter: Machinegun Dealer Sales Sample Letters
Current Processing Times for ATF Applications (Paper and eForms)