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Program Information
Updated: 8/15/08
- Guide For Marking Variances
- Manufacturing Of Firearms
- Items Of Interest From The 2008 SHOT Show
- Important Reminder to Federal Firearms Licensees on Revised ATF Form 4473
- ATF Firearms Trace Data Report - 2007
- ATF Firearms Trace Data Report - 2006
- ATF Ruling 2006-2: Classification of Devices That are Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm - Questions and Answers
- Federal Firearms Licensees and National Firearms Act Special (Occupational) Taxpayers - Submitting NFA Forms by Facsimile
- Open Letter to Federally Licensed Firearms Importers and Registered Importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles
- TSA Fact Sheet
Federal Firearms Licensing Center
- Click here to learn about getting a Federal Firearms License.
- ATF P 5300.4 - Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide 2005 (9/05)
- FFRRG Online Learning Theater
- For Information on Federal Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax - Click Here.
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 inspectors educate licensees in proper record keeping and business practices. Compliance inspections target licensees likely to divert firearms from legitimate trade to criminal use and dealers with a history of poor compliance.