How to File a FOIA Request with the ATF (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you collect or deal in machine guns, suppressors, or other NFA firearms, you’ve probably heard about people filing FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests with the ATF.

At MyFullAuto.com, we get this question all the time — especially from collectors wanting to verify a gun’s registration history, trace an old Form 4 or Form 2, or learn more about ATF rulings that affect NFA owners.

Here’s why it matters — and exactly how to do it.

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⚙️ Why You Might Want to File a FOIA Request

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives you the right to request federal records — and that includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

There are several good reasons you might file a FOIA request with the ATF:

1. Verify NFA Registration History

If you own or are considering buying a transferable machine gun, a FOIA request can confirm its chain of registration in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) — including dates, forms, and entities involved.

2. Trace Provenance for Collectibility

FOIA records can help document whether your gun came from a law-enforcement agency, a dealer sample batch, or was amnesty-registered in 1968 — details that add historical and financial value.

3. Research Manufacturer or Conversion Data

Curious about an old HK sear conversion, Colt Thompson, or Fleming receiver? FOIA requests can sometimes reveal manufacturing correspondence or paperwork on how those items were registered.

4. Understand ATF Rulings or Policies

FOIA can also help uncover how the ATF has applied or interpreted the National Firearms Act (NFA) over time — valuable context for anyone in the business of NFA transfers or manufacturing.

At MyFullAuto.com, where we deal daily in transferable machine guns, understanding these records helps verify authenticity and protect buyers. (View our current inventory)

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🧭 Step-by-Step: Filing a FOIA Request with the ATF

Step 1: Decide Exactly What You’re After

Before you write your request, be specific:

   •   What firearm or topic are you researching? (Include serial number, model, and manufacturer.)

   •   What time frame are you interested in?

   •   Are you asking for NFA registration data, policy letters, or manufacturing correspondence?

💡 Example:

“All records, including ATF Forms 2, 3, 4, 5, and related correspondence, for machine gun HK21K, serial #21K-019, registered with ATF between 1984 and 2024.”

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Step 2: Submit Through the ATF’s Online FOIA Portal

The ATF accepts electronic FOIA submissions through their FOIA Public Access Link (PAL):

👉 https://foia-pal.atf.gov

You can also send it by mail if you prefer: