Firearms
The Bureau and Law Enforcement
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.
Federal Firearms Licensees
The Tools and Services for Licensee pages contain information regarding the firearms industry and its members, classifications of firearms and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479.
Notice to all registered eForms Users:
This latest edition of ATF’s eForms News (Volume 2, Issue 1) identifies and answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) such as recurring NFA errors and how to avoid them. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to Lee.Alston-Williams@atf.gov .
If you need assistance regarding firearms enforcement related issues please contact your local ATF Office.
Receive Firearms Industry News Updates
What's New
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported - ATF Form 2 (5320.2)
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Federal Firearms License - ATF Form 7 (5310.12)
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested – Action: Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application for Registration of Firearms Acquired by Certain Government Entities ATF F 10 (5320.10)