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If someone appears to be selling firearms or drugs and there is an immediate threat, active danger, or danger to you, call 911 or your local law-enforcement agency. For a non-emergency tip in the United States, use ATF for suspected illegal firearm activity and DEA’s online tip form for suspected controlled-substance violations. Don’t confront or follow anyone to gather evidence.

Choose the right reporting route

The routes below are U.S. federal options. Local procedures may differ. ATF and DEA direct people facing immediate danger to local emergency authorities rather than routine tip intake.

Situation Where to report What to know
Immediate threat, active danger, or danger to you Call 911 or local police/law enforcement. ATF says not to use its tip system for an emergency or active situation. DEA likewise directs immediate threats to local authorities.
Suspected illegal firearm activity ATF illegal firearms activity hotline: 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). ATF lists this as its dedicated illegal-firearms-activity hotline.
Other firearm-related criminal tip ATF: 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), ATFTips@atf.gov, or ReportIt online or through the app. ATF’s general tip routes cover firearms, explosives, arson, and violent crime. ReportIt can be submitted without personal details.
Suspected controlled-substance violation, distribution, or trafficking Submit a tip through DEA’s online “Submit a Tip” form. DEA accepts tips about apparent violations of controlled-substance laws and regulations. Its form asks for details about the incident and the relevant DEA office.

ATF’s firearms-trafficking campaign also lists phone, text, and ReportIt options. Text instructions may depend on a local field-division code, so check ATF’s current campaign instructions rather than assuming one text format works everywhere.

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Make the report safely

  1. Keep your distance. If you are in danger or there is an immediate threat, call 911 or local law enforcement. Otherwise, do not approach, confront, follow, or attempt to investigate the people involved.
  2. Report what you already know. Share firsthand observations and distinguish them from assumptions. Do not guess at someone’s identity, intent, or the legality of conduct you did not directly observe.
  3. Use a suitable non-emergency channel. Choose ATF for suspected illegal firearm activity or DEA’s online form for suspected controlled-substance violations. Use local authorities for immediate threats.
  4. Consider privacy before submitting. Read the chosen channel’s form and privacy terms, particularly if you do not want to provide contact details.

The agency pages reviewed provide reporting routes and requested information; they do not advise the public to conduct surveillance, record people, collect objects, or approach anyone. Leave investigation to authorities.

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What information to include

Useful details are concrete and limited to what you know. ATF asks for the city and state, a description of the people involved, and the activity. DEA’s form asks when and where the incident occurred and what you witnessed; it also provides a location field, including a nearest-intersection field.

  • Date and time, if known.
  • Location, such as the city and state, address, or nearest intersection, if known.
  • A factual description of what you personally saw or heard.
  • A neutral description of people or vehicles only if you observed them safely.

ATF’s online form includes a category and description field. DEA asks the submitter to select the DEA division or office closest to the incident—not the submitter’s home. Don’t invent details or fill gaps with guesses.

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Understand privacy and follow-up differences

Privacy is channel-specific, not a blanket promise that every report is anonymous. ATF describes ReportIt as anonymous and says personal information is not required. ATF’s general tip form says contact information is not collected unless you choose to provide it. DEA marks contact information optional but says submitters may be contacted unless they state otherwise. Check the selected form’s current instructions before sending a tip.

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These are federal agency instructions checked October 4, 2026. They do not establish a local response time or a universal privacy guarantee; local reporting procedures and follow-up practices may differ.

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Firearm situations that may call for a specific tip

Suspected straw purchase or other illegal firearm activity

ATF’s “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign addresses suspected straw purchases and other illegal firearm activity. Use an appropriate ATF reporting route and describe only what you observed.

Concern about a gun dealer’s compliance

ATF has separate guidance titled “What to Do If You Suspect a Gun Dealer Is Not Complying With Federal Law.” For an immediate threat, contact local emergency authorities; otherwise, follow ATF’s current dealer-specific instructions.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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