Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees and Firearms Owners
The purpose of this open letter is to make you aware of the availability of ATF Publication 3312.8, Personal Firearms Record. Each year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen. The owners’ ability to adequately identify these firearms is central to law enforcement’s ability to investigate these crimes and losses. Insurance claims and reacquisition of recovered firearms will also hinge on the ability to correctly identify these firearms. Completing this record and maintaining it in a safe location, separate from an individual’s firearms, is an important first step in the effort to prevent thefts and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Licensees should also make their customers aware of the availability of this record. The Personal Firearms Record is available at http//www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-3312-8.pdf or can be obtained by contacting the ATF Distribution Center at (703) 455-7801.
The Firearms Programs Division staff is available to answer questions about the issues addressed in this letter. You may reach them by telephone at (202) 648-7090 or by fax at (202) 648-9640.
Lewis P. Raden
Assistant Director
(Enforcement Programs and Services)