November 20, 2001

OPEN LETTER TO ALL FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES AND FEDERAL EXPLOSIVES LICENSEES AND PERMITTEES

This is to notify you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has not received mail since October 25, 2001. Correspondence that has been affected by this situation includes applications for importation of firearms, explosives, and implements of war, National Firearms Act registrations and transfers, and all other written correspondence. Correspondence mailed to the National Licensing Center in Atlanta, Georgia, including Federal firearms license applications and renewals, and explosives license applications and permits, has not been affected by this situation. Currently, all mail that goes through the Brentwood Post Office in Washington, DC, including ATF mail, is being decontaminated. ATF has been assured by the United States Postal Service that mail affected by this situation will be delivered when it is safe to do so.

At this time, please do not resubmit applications, registrations, transfers, or correspondence you mailed to ATF at our Headquarters address, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC.

If you need additional information, please contact one of the offices listed below.

National Firearms Act Branch
Phone: (202) 927-8330 Fax: (202) 927-8601

Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch
Phone: (202) 927-8320 Fax: (202) 927-2697

Firearms, Explosives and Arson Services Division
Phone: (202) 927-8482 Fax: (202) 927-7488

Arson and Explosives Programs Division
Phone: (202) 927-7930 Fax: (202) 927-8887

Sincerely yours,


John P. Malone
Assistant Director
(Firearms, Explosives and Arson)