Freedom of Information Act
Like all federal agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) generally is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.
Before making a FOIA request, you should first browse About ATF, Pressroom, and Publications, which contain information already available to the public. You should also consult the DOJ Reference Guide; a comprehensive guide to the FOIA that serves as a handbook for obtaining information from the Department.
Publicly available information for which a FOIA request is not required:
A request for a listing of Federal Firearms Licensee’s (FFL’s) can be made without a FOIA request. To obtain a listing of FFL’s, please click here.
Electronic Reading Room
- Frequently Requested Records
- Staff Manuals and Instructions to Staff
- ATF does not maintain records appropriate for Reading Room posting at this time
- Final Opinions & Orders
- ATF does not maintain records appropriate for Reading Room posting at this time
- Policy Statements/Regulations:
- ATF Submissions for Public Comment
FOIA Contact
Privacy Impact Assessments
- Web Time and Attendance (WebTA)
- Remedy
- Arson and Explosives Incident System (AEXIS)
- Bomb and Arson Tracking System (BATS)
- GangNet
- International Bombing Incident Program (DFUZE)
- National Field Office Case Information System (N-FOCIS)
- Firearms Integrated Technology (FIT)
- Electronic Firearms Tracing (eTrace)
- Correspondence Tracking Management System