Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I want information on relief of federal firearm disability? (I am a felon but want to own a firearm, how do I get my privilege restored?)
  2. Who can I contact about receiving relief for explosives disability?
  3. Who can I talk to about ATF contract services or purchases of equipment?
  4. Does ATF auction government property? Who can I call to get a list of items for sale?
  5. Who can I contact for information on explosives licensing?
  6. Who can I contact about firearms importation/exportation?
  7. Who can I contact about an export license to export a firearm?
  8. Who should I contact about exporting sporting shotguns and ammunition for sporting shotguns?
  9. I was looking for information on exporting a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm?
  10. I want to register my firearm who do I call?
  11. How do I register a firearm I bought from a friend?
  12. Who may I speak to about a federal firearms license (FFL) or my federal firearms license application?
  13. I make my own beer/wine and want to know the requirements for making distilled spirits/beer or wine for sale. Also, I want to know if I have to be licensed or pay taxes?
  14. How do I contact FOIA?
  15. What ATF jobs are open and how do I apply?>
  16. Who can I contact about becoming a special agent?
  17. How do I confirm employment for an individual?
  18. How do I obtain a specific form or publication?
Q: I want information on relief of federal firearm disability? (I am a felon but want to own a firearm, how do I get my privilege restored?)

Persons convicted of a state offense may contact the office of the attorney general in the state where their conviction occurred, or the state’s Department of Justice, for information concerning restoration alternatives that may be available. (For example, the state may have a procedure for a gubernatorial pardon, a set-aside or expunction of the conviction, or a restoration of firearm rights.)

Persons convicted of a federal offense may elect to apply for a presidential pardon. Information on applying for a presidential pardon may be obtained at:

U.S. Department of Justice
The Pardon Attorney’s Office
1425 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 11000
Washington, DC 20530 USA
Voice (202) 616-6070
Q: Who can I contact about receiving relief for explosives disability?

Please review our page on How to Apply for Relief of Explosives Disability for all information on receiving relief for explosives disability as well as the appropriate points of contact for any questions or concerns.

Q: Who can I talk to about ATF contract services or purchases of equipment?

You can go to ATF’s business opportunities/acquisition link and learn about opportunities within ATF.

Q: Does ATF auction government property? Who can I call to get a list of items for sale?

We do not have an auction but there is a company that handles the property. The site is: www.govsales.gov

Q: Who can I contact for information on explosives licensing?

Please review our section on How to Become a Federal Explosives Licensee (FEL) for all information on obtaining a Federal explosives license and the appropriate points of contact for all questions and concerns. Additionally, you may want to review our pages on How to Renew your Federal Explosives License or on How to Discontinue Being a Federal Explosives Licensee.

You should also contact your state/local governments which may have other/additional requirements.

Q: Who can I contact about firearms importation/exportation?

Please review our section on How to Import Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War for all information on federal requirements on firearms importation as well as the appropriate points of contact. You may also want to review our frequently asked questions on firearms importation or our section on How to Receive Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War.

Q: Who can I contact about an export license to export a firearm?

The Gun Control Act does not require export licenses. However, most firearms and ammunition must be exported in accordance with the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act of 1976. Regulations implementing this Act generally require a license to be obtained from:

U.S. Department of State
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
2401 E Street NW, Room 1200
Washington, DC 20037 USA
Voice (202) 663-1282
Q: Who should I contact about exporting sporting shotguns and ammunition for sporting shotguns?

Those exports are regulated by the U.S. Department of Commerce rather than the State Department. An export license is generally needed to export these shotguns and ammunition.

For further information, contact the nearest district office or

U.S. Department of Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security, Outreach and Educational Services Division
14th St. & Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230 USA
Voice (202) 482-4811
Q: I was looking for information on exporting a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm?

An ATF Form 9 must be completed and approved by ATF prior to export.

Q: I want to register my firearm who do I call?

If it is a firearm that does not fall under the National Firearms Act (NFA) description, there is no federal registration. However, there may be state or local requirements and you should contact your state or local agencies. If the firearm is an NFA firearm you must contact:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
National Firearms Act Branch
99 New York Avenue NE, Mailstop 6E 403
Washington, DC 20226 USA
Voice (304) 616-4500

Some examples of the types of NFA firearms that must be registered are: Machine guns, frames or receivers of machine guns; any combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting weapons into machine guns; any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for converting a weapon into a machine gun; any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if the parts are in the possession or under the control of a person; silencers and any part designed and intended for fabricating a silencer; short-barreled rifles and shotguns; molotov cocktails, anti-tank guns (over caliber .50), bazookas, and mortars.

A few examples of “any other weapon” are: H&R Handyguns, Ithaca auto-burglar guns, cane guns, gadget-type firearms and “pen” guns which fire a projectile by the action of an explosive.

Additional information on a NFA firearms can be found in our section on the National Firearms Act or in the NFA Handbook (ATF P 5320.8).

Q: How do I register a firearm I bought from a friend?

If it is a firearm that does not fall under the National Firearms Act (NFA) description, there is no federal registration. However, there may be state or local requirements and you should contact your state or local agencies.

If the firearm is an NFA firearm you must contact:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
National Firearms Act Branch
99 New York Avenue NE, Mailstop 6E 403
Washington, DC 20226 USA
Voice (304) 616-4500

Please note:

  1. An individual may only sell/transfer a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his or her state.
  2. You cannot transfer/sell a weapon to someone if you believe or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearm under Federal law.
  3. If the above requirements are met, ATF recommends the buyer and seller both keep a bill of sale (a document who sold the firearm, a description of the firearm, and who bought the firearm) so that if the firearm is ever traced, the buyer/seller can provide the information.
Q: Who may I speak to about a federal firearms license (FFL) or my federal firearms license application?

Please review our section on How to Become a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) for all information on obtaining a Federal firearms license and the appropriate points of contact for all questions and concerns. Additionally, you may want to review our pages on How to Renew your Federal Firearms License or on How to Discontinue Being a Federal Firearms Licensee.

Q: I make my own beer/wine and want to know the requirements for making distilled spirits/beer or wine for sale. Also, I want to know if I have to be licensed or pay taxes?

Please contact the:

Department of the Treasury
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Public Information Officer
1310 G Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20220 USA
Voice (202) 453-2000
Q: How do I contact FOIA?

Please review out section on Freedom of Information Act requests for information on how to make a request as well as the appropriate points of contact for making a request.

Q: What ATF jobs are open and how do I apply?

For all current vacancies within ATF, please view our section on Career Opportunities.

Q: I applied for a special agent position. Who can I contact to keep track of my application?
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Recruitment, Hiring and Staffing Center
Voice (202) 648-9100
Q: Who can I contact about becoming a special agent?

Please review our pages on Special Agent Careers for all information about becoming an ATF Special Agent as well as the appropriate points of contact for questions on becoming a Special Agent.

Q: Who can answer questions on employment.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Office of Human Resources
Voice (202) 648-7300
Q: How do I confirm employment for an individual?

Fax the request to (202) 648-9644 (For Agents Only)

To confirm employment Non-Agents (www.TheWorkNumber.com) or 1-800-367-5690 ATF Employer Code 10563 then input the individual’s social security numbers.

Q: How do I obtain a specific form or publication?

A number of forms and publication can be downloaded from the ATF website at http://www.atf.gov/forms/ or http://www.atf.gov/publications/

To order forms and/or publication, please contact the ATF Distribution Center at (301) 583-4696 or fill out the online form at http://www.atf.gov/forms/dcof/. Please note that not all forms and publications are available for ordering, some are available for download only.

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