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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Curios or Relics List - Update January 2009 through June 2010 (223 KB) |
Firearms automatically attain curio or relic (C&R) status when they are 50 years old. Any firearm that is at least 50 years old, and in its original configuration, would qualify as a C&R firearm. It is not necessary for such firearms to be listed in ATF’s C&R list.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter - August 2015 (406 KB) |
What’s in this Issue: New Acting Director; New Assistant Director, Enforcement; Programs and Services; New Chief of EIPB; Magazine Identification Program; Less Lethal Devices; Fireworks Reminders; NPRM to Remove Reference Note; Marking and Recording Bulk Explosives; Internal Transfers of Explosives; Plywood, Hardwood and ATF Ruling 76-18; Using Commercial Records Explosives Thefts—2013 thru 2014
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
How ATF Traces Firearms (297 KB) |
A firearm is recovered by law enforcement. ATF receives recovery information in e-Trace. Trace reveals origin of firearm manufacturer or importer. Trace leads to the original Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) * FFL manually looks through firearm transaction records to find the first purchaser. ** The first purchaser is identified and the investigative process is initiated. ** 364,000+ trace requests in FY14. * Not all traces may lead to original FFL; sales sometimes lead beyond that to a subsequent FFL. ** First purchaser is not always identified, sometimes traces lead to a more recent purchaser or an unlicensed purchaser. | News | Guide |
|
Curios or Relics List - Update January 2008 through June 2014.pdf (69 KB) |
Firearms automatically attain curio or relic (C&R) status when they are 50 years old. Any firearm that is at least 50 years old, and in its original configuration, would qualify as a C&R firearm. It is not necessary for such firearms to be listed in ATF’s C&R list.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
How to Conduct a Firearms Inventory, ATF P 5380.2 (207 KB) |
This publication provides guidelines on how to conduct a firearms inventory.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Loss Prevention for Firearms Retailers (441 KB) |
Loss prevention for firearms retailers. As a firearms retailer you have a risk of burglary, theft, and loss. This guide will help you evaluate the security of your premises and help you develop a strategy for preventing losses.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Newsletter - July 2017 (1106 KB) |
What's in this issue: Announcement - ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows | Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - July 2017.pdf (1106 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: Announcement – ATF stands up the National Firearms Act (NFA) Division; Firearm Thefts & Burglaries; Burglary and Robbery Statistics; ATF Ruling 2016-1: Electronic A&D Records; ATF Ruling 2016-2; ATF Ruling 2016-3; ATF Ruling 2016-5; Revised ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record); Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; FFLs are Responsible for Retrieving Status when Using E-Check; Tips from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section; Gun Shows.
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Department of Defense Contractor Inspections: ATF Inspection Process (Explosives) (64 KB) |
This document provides information on ATF’s compliance inspection process and is intended to help Federal firearms or explosives licensees who are DOD contractors prepare for and participate in an ATF compliance inspection.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Department of Defense Contractor Inspections: ATF Inspection Process (Firearms) (74 KB) |
This document provides information on ATF’s compliance inspection process and is intended to help Federal firearms or explosives licensees who are DOD contractors prepare for and participate in an ATF compliance inspection.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Publication on Table of Distance Requirements (ATF P 5400.25) (1190 KB) |
This publication provides the location for the Federal explosive regulations that require outdoor explosives storage magazines to be located.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-January 2014 (2373 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Meet ATF’s New Director, B. Todd Jones; New Deputy Division Chief; Contingency and Shared Storage; Binary Explosives: Checking Laws; Alternate Identification Markings; Black Powder Lifters; More on Hoods; Underground Storage Reminder; Explosives Disposal; ATF and the Interagency Committee on Explosives; ATF Hosts QRA Workshop; Questions and Answers; Licensee/Permittee Percentages; Licensee/Permittee Population by Type
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Personal Firearms Record (ATF P 3312.8) (296 KB) |
By completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you will be taking an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
| Firearms | Guide |
|
Publication on Fireworks Reminders (ATF P 5400.24) (1598 KB) |
This publication is an overview intended as an aid to compliance with regulatory requirements, not a replacement for the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - March 2013 - Volume 2 (591 KB) |
What’s in This Issue: Reminder: Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date ; Reminder: eForm 6; Agency Information Collection Activities; Rental of Firearms On-Premises; Rental of Firearms Off-Premises; Clarification of ATF Ruling 2008–3: Making Corrections to the e4473; Recording Identification Documents on the ATF Form 4473—Military Identification and PCS Orders; Purchase of Firearms by Current or Former Law Enforcement Officers; Recording Pistol Grip Firearms in the Acquisition and Disposition Record; Manufacturing NFA Firearms for the United States Government; When Permission Is Required To Move NFA Firearms; Recordkeeping Requirements and Retention Requirements for Licensed Manufacturers; Clarification: Firearms Shipments via Common or Contract Carrier; Brokering of Firearms/Drop Shipments
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Explosives in Transit (307 KB) |
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has regulatory and civil enforcement authority over the transportation of explosive materials in commerce.
| Explosives | Guide |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - July 1986 (299 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: AN OPEN LETTER TO LICENSEES AND OTHERS CONCERNED Stephen E. Higgins, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; PRESIDENT SIGNS NEW GUN LAW; NEWS YOU CAN USE
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter 1989 Volume 2 (369 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: OUT-OF-STATE AND MAIL ORDER SALES; "STRAW PURCHASES" OF FIREARMS; FIREARMS TRANSACTION RECORDS ON TITLE II TRANSFERS; ATF DISTRIBUTION CENTER; ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION-UPDATE; CHANGE OF CONTROL; FORM 4473 OMISSIONS AND DISCREPANCIES; SALES TO UNDERAGED PERSONS; SPECIAL OCCUPATIONAL TAX; ATF IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS; PERMIT TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS; ASSAULT RIFLES; GUN SHOW GUIDELINES
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter - 1992, Volume 2 (353 KB) |
What's in this issue: Manufacturer's Annual Report Form 4483-A; Change of Address; Extension of Terms on Import Permits; Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax; Firearms Sales to Canadian Citizens; Renewal of Your License; List of Armor Piercing Ammunition
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Federal Firearms Licensees Newsletter – August 1997 (564 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: LEGISLATIVE ISSUES; NEW RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASERS; LICENSEE NOTIFICATION; ASSAULT WEAPON RECEIVERS; GOVERNMENTAL EXEMPTION TO SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON BAN; IMPORTATION OF MACHINEGUNS; TRANSFER OF REGISTERED NFA WEAPONS IN A DECEDENT’S ESTATE; RETENTION OF REGISTERED MACHINEGUNS BY LICENSEES WHO DISCONTINUE BUSINESS; MEET THE NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST; GOING OUT OF BUSINESS; WALLET GUNS; IMPROVING SECURITY; ATF’S STOLEN FIREARMS PROGRAM
| Firearms | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-June 1997 (248 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: COMPUTERIZED RECORDKEEPING SYSTEMS; BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS DISTRICT OFFICES; Letters to the Editor; ITEMS OF INTEREST; ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICT EXPLOSIVE OFFICERS; ANTITERRORISM AND EFFECTIVE DEATH PENALTY ACT OF 1996; ATF and the INTERNET; EXPLOSIVES SECURITY; National Repository of Arson and Explosive Incidents; THEATRICALFLASH POWDER; BE AWARE AMERICA!;
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-August 2000 (160 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: THE NEW ATF STRUCTURE; ATF PUBLISHES FINAL RULE IN FEDERAL REGISTER; AMENDMENT TO LICENSING REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO EASE BURDEN FOR ON-SITE MANUFACTURERS; STORAGE REQUIREMENTS—DISPLAY FIREWORKS; CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE 4 MAGAZINES CLARIFIED; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR; REMINDER!!; U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD; DISPOSING OF DETERIORATED EXPLOSIVES; ATF REACHES INDUSTRY MEMBERS VIA INTERNET
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-January 2001 (572 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: A Message from the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; The New Orange Book; Variances; User Permits and User-Limited Permits; Verbal Opinions vs. “Have-it-in-Writing”; Fireworks Table of Distance Issues; Plastic Explosives; Thefts or Losses of Explosives; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Markings on Imported Explosives; Personnel Changes Within the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; International Explosives Assistance
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-June 2001 (181 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: A Message from the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; International Explosives Assistance;Philadelphia Field Division Bombing Incidents; Barricades; Black Powder Sales; Safety, Storage, and Illegal Devices; Special Events Fireworks Variances; First Quarter 2001 Explosives Thefts
| Explosives | Newsletter |
|
Explosives Industry Newsletter-February 2002 (841 KB) |
What’s In This Issue: MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF, ARSON & EXPLOSIVES PROGRAMS DIVISION; CHANGES IN ARSON & EXPLOSIVES PROGRAMSDIVISION; ATF ATTENDS UN MEETING; ISEE, APA, TO HOST ANNUAL CONFERENCES IN FEBRUARY; CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP LICENSING REQUIREMENTS; STORAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR DELAYS & DETONATORS; MAGAZINE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; VARIANCE REQUESTS NOTICE; FUGITIVE CORNER; DAILY MAGAZINE TRANSACTION SUMMARY; ATF INVITES QUESTIONS ON EXPLOSIVES TOPICS; NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION; Theft of Explosives
| Explosives | Newsletter |