Publications Library
ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 Federal Firearm Licensees Newsletter - September 1995 (245 KB) |
What's in this issue: Streamlined Application Process; New Publications; New Faces; Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Temporary Regulations; Firearms Theft; Restraining Orders; Law Enforcement Sales; Before You Move; Final Brady Regulations; Multiple Sales Reports; No Import Permits to Armscor; Licensing Telephone; Restoration of Federal Firearms Privileges; Industry Meetings; SHOT Show
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
NFA Advisory to FFLs - Scams Using Fraudulent or Manipulated NFA Registration Documents (22 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is advising the public to be aware of fraudulent National Firearms Act (NFA) tax registration forms being used to sell NFA firearms. Some individuals are presenting altered NFA Form 4’s to prospective buyers in order to obtain a deposit, but never deliver the firearms. | Firearms | Report |
|
FFL Newsletter - September 2016 (168 KB) |
In this issue: FFL Advisory - Attempted Thefts of Firearms, NFA Trust "41 F", Theft/Loss in Transit Ruling, and much more!
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Advisory Opinion on Licensing for Certain Gun Show Sellers (778 KB) |
This letter provides additional guidance on licensing for persons engaged in selling firearms at in-state gun shows.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide - 2014 Edition (ATF P 5300.4) (3512 KB) |
The 2014 edition of the Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide contains information that will help you comply with federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition. This edition contains new and amended statutes enacted since publication of the 2005 edition, as well as updated regulations and rulings issued by ATF. | Firearms | Guide |
|
National Tracing Center – eTrace – Internet-based Firearms Tracing and Analysis (ATF P 3312.9) (998 KB) |
ATF provides a paperless firearm trace submission system that is readily accessible through the internet known as eTrace. It provides the necessary utilities for submitting, retrieving, storing, and querying all firearms trace related information.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
National Tracing Center - Información para las Oficinas Policiales (ATF P 3312.7 SP) (1146 KB) |
¿Qué es la División del Centro Nacional de Rastreo (NTC)? La División del Centro de Rastreo Nacional (NTC) del Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos es la única organización autorizada a rastrear armas de fuego de fabricación nacional y extranjera para las agencias policiales internacionales, federales, estatales y locales. | Firearms | Guide |
|
National Tracing Center – eTrace – Rastreo y Análisis de Armas de Fuego por Internet (995 KB) |
¿Qué es eTrace? ATF extiende su continuo compromiso con la comunidad policial ofreciéndole un sistema de rastreo de armas de fuego sin papel y fácilmente accesible a través de Internet. Este sistema, conocido como eTrace, ofrece las herramientas necesarias para enviar, recuperar, guardar e investigar toda la información relacionada con el rastreo de un arma de fuego que su agencia esté manejando. | Firearms | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - March 2013 - Volume 1 (610 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2013; ATF Outreach Activities; Best Practices; FBI/NICS News
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
ATF Procedure 2013-2 (55 KB) |
This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to record the sale of a firearm to an unlicensed person who:
a. Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements;
b. Resides in the same State as the licensee; and
c. Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises
| Resource Center | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - April 2015 (624 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: SHOT Show 2015; New Appointments in Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Outreach Activities; Organizational Change for Firearms; Technology Branch; Automation of CBP Form I-94; Return of Firearms Received for Appraisal; Revised Federal Firearms License (FFL); Renewal Application (ATF Form 8); Reminders: Reporting Deceased Responsible; Persons to the Federal Firearms Licensing; Center and Submission of Original and Renewal Applications; Use of Internal Control Numbers on ATF; Form 6 Part I; Reminder: Reporting Multiple Sales of Handguns or Certain Rifles; Who to Contact with your Firearms Related Questions
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances (197 KB) |
Licensed manufacturers and importers are required to mark firearms manufactured or imported with specific identifying information. ATF may authorize other means of identification ("marking variance") upon receipt of a letter application from a licensed manufacturer or importer.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - September 2013 - Volume 1 (626 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Customer Service Standards; Active Federal Firearms License (FFL) Records; Best Practices; ATF Outreach Activities; New Moves in EPS; FBI/NICS News
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - September 2013 - Volume 2 (623 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Private Party Transfers; Updated ATF Website; Top 8 Questions Asked by FFLs on the ATF Website; Use of Computerized Software; Guidance for Requesting Marking Variances; Personal Firearms Record; Updated Most Frequently Asked Questions; eForms News; FFLs May Ship Firearms to Locations Other than the Business Premises Address; National Firearms Act Firearms in Estates; Sales to Law Enforcement; Retention of Registered Machineguns by Licensees Who Discontinue Business
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
TD-480: Delegation of Authority (Published: 5/08/02) (50 KB) |
This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in its Exportation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, or With Drawback of Tax regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’. | Resource Center | Report |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1990 Volume 1 (471 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: FACSIMILE TRANSMITTED COPIES OF FORMS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS; FFL TOLL-FREE INFORMATION; SALES AGENTS; OUT·OF-STATE FFL'S; FALSIFIED FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSES; MANUFACTURER'S ANNUAL REPORT FORM 4483-A; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1990 Volume 2 (537 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: MP-83 AND MP-22 PISTOLS; MACHINEGUN BAN UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF APPEALS IN FARMER V.HIGGINS; FLORIDA CONVICTIONS; FIREARMS REGULATIONS UPHELD BY U.S. COURT OF APPEALS IN NRA V. BRADY; FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES DIVISION PERSONNEL CHANGES; COMPLIANCE INSPECTION PROBLEMS; CERTIFIED COPIES OF LICENSES; EXCISE TAX- UPDATE; GUN SHOW GUIDELINES; PERMIT TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS; INTRATEC RECALL TEC-22 "SCORPION"; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1991 Volume 1 (790 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: EXCISE TAX; Multiple Sales Reports; License Revocations; Crime Control Act of 1990; Repairs of NFA Weapons; Discontinuance of Business - Chain Store Operations; Change or Correction of License; Transfers of National Firearms Act Firearms; Discontinuance of Operations as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer, or Importer; Change in Business Structure as an NFA Dealer, Manufacturer or Importer; Bureau Headquarters Move; Compliance Inspection Program; FFL Advisory
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1992 Volume 1 (700 KB) |
What’s in this issue:"Straw Purchases" of Firearms; FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION EXCISE TAX HISTORY OF THE PITTMAN ROBERTSON ACT; PAYMENT OF EXCISE TAXES BY GUNSMITHS; REGISTRATION FOR TAX-FREE SALES; CUSTOMER'S TAX LIABILITY FOR RELOADED AMMUNITION; TRANSFER OR DUPLICATION OF SERIAL NUMBERS ON NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS; CALIFORNIA LAW CHANGE ADVISORY; MARKINGS ON FIREARMS; STORAGE OF NFA FIREARMS; SALES OF FIREARMS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; SUPREME COURT RULES ON THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS CASE
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter – August 1998 (35 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SYSTEM (NICS); NEW FIREARMS TRANSACTION RECORD; REPORTING MULTIPLE SALES OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS; FIREARMS SALES TO FOREIGN NATIONALS; AGE RESTRICTION REMINDER; RESOLUTION OF MODERN MUZZLE LOADING COURT CASE; NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT (NFA) INFORMATION; LIMITED TO USE AS SALES SAMPLE; IMPORTING INFORMATION; RESTRICTED REGISTRATION –Possession limited to continued compliance with provisions of Public Law 99-308; Applications to Import Sales samples of Machineguns; Semiautomatic Assault Weapons imported temporarily for repair; Applications to import U.S.-origin Significant Military Equipment; Importation of Firearms for Display at Industry Trade Shows; Surplus military curio or relic firearms; FFL OR INTERSTATE THEFT PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION; FFL CONCERNS AND ALERTS;
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-February 1999 (160 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: FFL NEWSLETTER PREVIOUS EDITIONS; CANADIAN FIREARMS ISSUES; ATF DISTRIBUTION CENTER; NICS AND RETURNED FIREARMS ISSUES; AGE RESTRICTIONS ON FIREARMS TRANSACTIONS; MODERN MUZZLELOADING ISSUES; SECURE GUN STORAGE DEVICES AMENDMENT; RELIEF OF DISABILITY INFORMATION; NONRESIDENT ALIEN PROHIBITED PERSON CATEGORY; GUNSHOWS AND EVENTS; SALES OF SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; SALES OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES TO CAMPUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS; LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE MARKINGS; LICENSEES WHO DISCONTINUE BUSINESS; LICENSEE ADDRESS AND MAIL DELIVERY ISSUES
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-September 1999 (50 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM (NICS) AND THE BRADY HANDGUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT (BRADY); ATF FORM 4473 COMPLETION AND NICS CHECKS; NICS ENROLLMENT BY LICENSEES; SALES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT; ATF FORM 4473 COMPLETION ERRORS AND NICS; NICS AND THE 3-DAY WAIT; NICS AND POTENTIAL “STRAW TRANSACTIONS; LICENSEE FINES, SUSPENSION, AND/OR REVOCATION FOR NICS VIOLATIONS; NICS AND COLLECTORS OF CURIO AND RELIC FIREARMS; SPECIAL NOTICES; NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDCHECK SYSTEM (NICS) NEWS
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-May 2001 (177 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: TRANSFERS TO ALIENS INA NONIMMIGRANT STATUS; NEW ADDRESS FOR OUT OF BUSINESS RECORDS CENTER; COMPUTERIZED ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION RECORDS; AUCTIONING FIREARMS; CORPORATE MERGERS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT STATUS OF FEDERAL LICENSES; TRANSFERS OF NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT FIREARMS IN DECEDENT’S ESTATES; IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN FRAMES, RECEIVERS AND BARRELS; QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR; FBI/NICS
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter-December 2002 (203 KB) | What’s In This Issue: INS-ISSUED ALIEN NUMBERS AND ADMISSION NUMBERS; CHANGE OF ADDRESS REQUIRES AMENDED LICENSE; PROVIDING COPIES OF ATF FORM 4473 AS PART OF COUPON/REBATE OFFERS; “CONTIGUOUS STATE”; DISTRIBUTION OF EXPLOSIVE PEST CONTROL DEVICES AT GUN SHOWS; ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF ATF FORM 4473; ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF ATF FORM 4473; QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR; NICS DENIALS OF PAWN REDEMPTIONS; TRANSFERS TO ALIENS UNDER A NONIMMIGRANT VISA – AN UPDATE; QUICK ACTION PAYS DIVIDENDS; RECORDING FIREARMS SERIAL NUMBERS; RUSSIAN AIR GUNS AND DUMMY GUNS MANUFACTURED WITH PROHIBITED FIREARM COMPONENT PARTS AND/OR FIREARM RECEIVERS; STREETSWEEPER UPDATE; FBI/NICS | Firearms | Newsletter |
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Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - August 2004 (117 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Attorney General Ashcroft Appoints Carl J. Truscott As Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms And Explosives; Contiguous State – Part 2; New Tennessee “Certificate For Driving” Is Not An Acceptable Identification Document; Sales To Military Personnel –Residency Verification; FFL EZ Check System; Retention Period For Importer And Manufacturer Records; Is An Expired Driver’s License A Valid Identification Document?; Transportation Of Firearms; Possession Of Handguns By Persons Who Are Under 21 Years Of Age; 5-Year Period For “Grandfathered” Permits Ends; Firearms Transfers After The Mandatory 3-Business Day Waiting Period Has Elapsed And No Response Has Been Received From NICS; 90-Day Residency Requirement For The Purchase Of Firearms By Nonimmigrant Aliens; Reorganization Of Title 27, Code Of Federal Regulations; What Is A Letter Of Continuing Authorization?; (Sample Letter Of Authorization); Activities Authorized By Licensed Collectors Of Curio Or Relic Firearms; Possible Confusion Regarding How To Import Surplus Military Firearms Or Nonsporting Firearms For Law Enforcement Officers; New Firearms Theft/Loss Reporting Form; FBI/NICS | Firearms | Newsletter |