Guidance on Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees and Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to ensuring public safety by working directly and through partnerships to assist federal firearms licensees (FFL) and federal explosives licensees and permittees (FEL/FEP) in complying with federal laws and regulations.  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center has forecasted Hurricane Maria as a potentially catastrophic hurricane, affecting many islands in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A disaster preparedness plan should be established by all FFLs and FEL/FEPs to safeguard their businesses by protecting explosives, firearms, and required records. If necessary, licensees and permittees should take precautionary steps by contacting their local ATF field offices regarding:

• the relocation of explosives magazines and records from business premises to a safe location; or
• the removal of firearms and ammunition inventory, ATF Forms 4473 and 3310.4; and acquisition and disposition records from business premises to a safe location.      

For more information in preparation for potential disasters, such as hurricanes floods and tornados:

• Explosives licensees and permittees should refer to ATF Publication 5400.16. 
• Firearms licensees should refer to ATF Publication 3317.7.

More information about ATF, including local office contact information, is available at www.atf.gov.  You can also contact the ATF Firearms Theft Hotline at 888-930-9275