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.

The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

This circular reminds all persons of the federal law (and penalties) applying to the shipments, sale or possession of cigarettes and to the domestic sales of cigarettes marked for export. Additionally, this circular addresses the sale of cigarettes on Native American tribal reservations.

The New Mexico State Legislature enacted a new statute, N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-7-7.3, which became effective on May 15, 2024. The new statute imposes a waiting period before a firearm may be sold and transferred and makes it unlawful to sell and transfer a firearm before the required waiting period ends

This circular has been published to inform you of a potential explosion hazard relating to a malfunctioning of automatic ammunition reloading equipment.

The purpose of this letter is to advise Wyoming federal firearm licensees that a person convicted in a federal court (of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year) remains subject to the federal prohibition on shipment, transportation, receipt, and possession of firearms and ammunition, despite the issuance of a Restoration of Rights Certificate (under state law) by the State of Wyoming.

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

The Department of Justice (“Department”) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (“BSCA”), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after November 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Changes to Vermont Law, 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) § 4019, effective July 1, 2022, have generated questions from Vermont FFLs. This letter alerts Vermont FFLs to the recent changes in Vermont law and provides guidance to ensure Vermont FFLs remain in compliance.