Category: ATF

Articles related to working with the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) – including licensing, rules, guidelines, etc.

Responsible Person FFL

Responsible Person for FFL Guide [2025] – ATF Requirements

So, you’re either thinking about getting your FFL, or you already have an FFL license and are curious about Responsible Persons (RPs). We get it – there’s a lot of confusion about Responsible Persons on FFLs. We hear questions about RPs like: We’ll cover these questions in this Responsible Person Guide. Of course, the basics […]

ATF 5320.20 Form

ATF 5320.20 – How To Transport NFA Firearms [2025]

There’s a special ATF Form before you can transport NFA Firearms across state lines – it’s the ATF Form 5320.20 form (also called the “Form 20”) In this ATF 5320.20 form guide, we’re going to cover: Restrictions on Interstate NFA Firearm Transportation Before we cover the rules for traveling with NFA Firearms across state lines, […]

Firearms Manufactured in the US

Number of Firearms Manufactured in the United States [2025]

Welcome to the mother-load of ATF-related data on firearms in commerce! Each year the ATF publishes a report that includes data on the number of firearms in commerce (made, exported, and imported) and statistics on NFA firearms (forms, revenue, and distribution) and FFLs (applications and inspections. In the ATF’s Firearms Commerce in the United States […]

PISTOL ARM BRACE REVERSAL

Minnesota Handgun Carry Permit No Longer Alternative to NICS Background Check

When this article was first written in 2017, the Minnesota Handgun Carry Permit had just been approved by the ATF as an alternative to the normally required FBI NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm from an FFL to a customer. As of then, Minnesota Handgun Carry Permits with expiration dates of […]

80% Frames & Receivers

What is an 80% Receiver?

There has been a lot of discussion about “80% Frames” or “80% receivers” lately. We get many questions about them, such as: Are “80% frames” legal? What are “80% receivers”? Is an “80% frame” legally a firearm? Can I convert an “80% receiver” into a firearm? We aim to answer all of these questions here […]

ATF Ruling 84-1

ATF Ruling 81-4 – Drop In Auto Sear (DIAS)

Summary: AR15 Drop In Auto Sears (DIAS) manufactured after October 31st, 1981 are considered machine guns and are therefore regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. IMPORTANT: Despite this ruling, possession of ANY Drop In Auto Sear along with an AR-15 with some M16 parts, constitutes a machinegun. The Firearm Owner’s Protection Act of […]

NFA Firearms by State

NFA Firearms by State

As I mentioned in our article on reduced NFA wait times, NFATracker is an awesome resource for our community. These guys collect and display various ATF paperwork approval and NFA transfer information. I’m including some information from their website here, but you really should go check them out on your own. While you’re there, you […]

ATF Inspections DOD

ATF Inspection Process for DOD Contractors

Today, the ATF released an overview of the inspection process for FFLs who are also Department of Defense Contractors. You can view/download the ATF Inspection Process for DOD Contractors, or read it in full below. NOTE: This process is similar, but different from, the normal ATF inspection process for FFLs who are not also DOD […]

Rapid Fire Devices

Legality of Rapid-Fire Devices – Not Machine Guns nor Fully Automatic

With the recent horrible shooting event in Las Vegas, Nevada, where 59 people were murdered and hundreds more were injured, the question about whether the shooter actually used a full-automatic machine gun has been popular. I may have inadvertently started this debate. When I first learned of the attack this morning, I saw a video […]

FFL - PRIVATE FIREARM TRANSFERS 2017-1 ATF

ATF Procedure 2017-1 – Private Firearm Transfers Through FFLs

Recently the ATF published Procedure 2017-1 (not ATF Ruling 2017-1). ATF Procedure 2017-1 “set[s] forth the record-keeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals.” In this article, we’re going to cover: Basic Background and Requirements for Private […]

ATF 2017 Statistics - FFL & SOT

FFL License, Application, SOT, and Inspection Statistics

Welcome to the mother-load of ATF-related data on FFL Applications and Inspections statistics! Each year the ATF publishes a report that includes data on the number of firearms in commerce (made, exported, and imported) and statistics on NFA firearms (forms, revenue, and distribution) and FFLs (applications and inspections. In the ATF’s Firearms Commerce in the […]

2017 NFA Firearms Stats

NFA Firearms, Forms, and Revenue Statistics

Welcome to the mother-load of ATF-related data on NFA firearms! Each year the ATF publishes a report that includes data on the number of firearms in commerce (made, exported, and imported) and statistics on NFA firearms (forms, revenue, and distribution) and FFLs (applications and inspections. In the ATF’s Firearms Commerce in the United States Annual […]

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