November Update: The US government shutdown & upcoming auctions
Hello and welcome! As November begins, we wanted to give you a quick update on the government shutdown and what it means for ATF operations. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered, and there’s plenty to look forward to this month.
Due to the recent federal government shutdown, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) employees responsible for processing applications and approvals have been furloughed, therefore, no applications are being reviewed or approved until funding is restored and normal operations resume. We also expect extended processing times even after the shutdown ends, as the agency works through the resulting backlog. To make things easier for you, our UK warehouse is offering three months of free storage and to help you plan accordingly, we anticipate that our next consolidated shipping service will take place in January or February 2026.
Looking ahead past the shutdown, check out the upcoming November auctions below:
Nov 4, 2025: Hermann Historica (Germany) - Arms & Armour, and Antique Firearms
Nov 5, 2025: Hermann Historica (Germany) - Historical and Modern Firearms
Nov 5 & 6, 2025: Harperfield (UK) - Guns & Weapons, Medals & Militaria
Nov 13, 2025: Joh. Springer's Erben Auktionshaus (Austria) - 44th Classic Auction
Nov 14, 2025: Joh. Springer's Erben Auktionshaus (Austria) - 44th Classic Auction Day 2
Nov 24, 2025: Holts Auctioneers (UK) - Fine Modern & Antique Guns
Nov 25, 2025: Holts Auctioneers (UK) - Modern Sporting Guns & Rifles