Questions and Answers

Shock tube contains highly explosive material. However, it may be stored as a low explosive when not attached to a detonator.

[27 CFR 555.202(b), 555.213]

No. However, airport terminals and jetways (enclosed or open walkways on or above the tarmac) are considered inhabited buildings for table of distance requirements.

The term "highway" is defined in 27 CFR 555.11 as "any public street, public alley, or public road, including a privately financed, constructed, or maintained road that is regularly and openly traveled by the general public."

Privately financed, constructed or maintained roads that are not regularly or openly traveled by the general public do not fall within the meaning of the term and would, therefore, be exempt from table of distance requirements. See ATF Ruling 2005–2 for more information.

[27 CFR 555.11: definition of "highway"]

Yes. Federal explosives law prohibits any person from distributing explosive materials to persons under 21 years of age. However, it does not prohibit the delivery to or possession of explosive materials by persons under the age of 21 who are receiving or using the materials on behalf of their employers to whom the materials were lawfully sold.

[18 U.S.C. 842(d), (i); 27 CFR 555.11 (definition of "distribute"), 555.26, 555.106(b)(1)]

The Explosives List, also known as the Annual List of Explosive Materials, is a comprehensive (but not all-inclusive) listing of explosive materials which have been determined to be within the coverage of Chapter 40. The list is published annually by ATF in the Federal Register.

[18 U.S.C. 841(d); 27 CFR 555.23]

No. The actual transportation of explosive materials by carriers is subject to Department of Transportation or Department of Homeland Security regulations.

[18 U.S.C. 845(a)(1); 27 CFR 555.141(a)(1)]

Federal explosives laws and regulations generally prohibit any person from transporting explosive materials interstate or intrastate unless the person has a federal explosives license or permit. Also, the transportation of stolen explosives materials is a federal crime.

However, the law exempts from regulation under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40 and 27 CFR Part 555 aspects of the transportation of explosive materials via railroad, water, highway or air which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and agencies thereof and which pertain to safety and security.

[18 U.S.C. 842(a)(3), 842(h), 845(a)(1); 27 CFR 555.26, 555.28, 555.141(a)(1)]

Until the compounds are mixed, they are not classified as explosives and, therefore, are not subject to control. However, once mixed, binary explosives are "explosive materials" and are subject to all applicable federal requirements.

A person who mixes or combines compounds of binary explosives for the purpose of sale or distribution or for the person’s own business use is a "manufacturer" of explosive materials and must be licensed as a manufacturer under the law.

[18 U.S.C. 841(h); 27 CFR 555.11: definition of "manufacturer"]

Small arms ammunition and components thereof that meet the definition of ammunition under the regulations is exempt.

[18 U.S.C. 845(a)(4), 27 CFR 555..11 : definition of “ammunition”, 555.141(a)(4)]

Black powder is an explosive material for purposes of federal explosives laws and regulations.

However, the law exempts from regulation commercially manufactured black powder in quantities not exceeding 50 pounds (as well as percussion caps, safety and pyrotechnic fuses, quills, quick and slow matches, and friction primers) intended to be used solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes in antique firearms as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16) or in antique devices exempted from the term "destructive device" in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(4).

Regardless, persons engaged in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in black powder in any quantity must have a federal explosives license, and comply with recordkeeping, storage and conduct of business requirements.

[18 U.S.C. 841(c), 841(d), 845(a)(5); 27 CFR 555.11: definitions of "explosives" and "explosive materials", 555.141(b)]

ATF is authorized to inspect the site of any accident or fire where there is reason to believe that explosive materials were involved. Other federal agencies, or state or local agencies, may also investigate such incidents, depending on the circumstances.

[18 U.S.C. 846(a); 27 CFR 555.31]

Except for limited permit holders, any ATF officer may, without a warrant, enter during business hours the premises, including places of storage, of any licensee or permittee for the purpose of inspecting or examining any records or documents required to be kept by the law and regulations and any explosive materials kept or stored at the premises. For inspection purposes, "business hours" includes hours during which business is actually conducted, not just those hours stated on license or permit applications.

Any licensee or permittee who refuses to permit the inspection or examination is subject to having his or her license or permit revoked, as well as to denial of an application to renew the license or permit.

For limited permit holders, an ATF officer may inspect the places of storage for explosive materials of either an applicant for a limited permit or at the time of renewal of such permit, but in no event shall such inspection occur more than once every three years.

[18 U.S.C. 843(b)(4), 18 U.S.C. 843(f)]

This should be considered a theft or loss of explosive materials. You must report the theft or loss of explosive materials, within 24 hours of discovery, to ATF by telephone. Call our toll-free number 800-461-8841 during business hours, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. On weekends or outside business hours, call our hotline at 888-283-2662 (800-ATF-BOMB).

ATF Form 5400.5, "Report of Theft or Loss—Explosive Materials", must then be completed and forwarded in accordance with the instructions on the form.

[18 U.S.C. 842(k); 27 CFR 555.30]

Generally, any person who has knowledge of the theft or loss of any explosive materials from his/her stock must report such theft or loss within 24 hours of discovery to ATF and to appropriate local authorities.

This theft/loss reporting requirement in the federal explosives laws at 18 U.S.C. § 844(p) and 27 CFR 555.30 refers to explosive materials when the owner, authorized possessor or operator has unintentionally lost possession, care, or control of the explosives materials and cannot account for their absence, even if there is reason to believe that the theft or loss occurred prior to receipt of an explosive materials shipment (e.g., during transportation or packing at the manufacturer’s premises).

Any licensee or permittee who has knowledge of the theft or loss of any explosive materials from his or her stock shall, within 24 hours of discovery, report the theft or loss by telephoning our toll-free number 800-461-8841 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time) or our nationwide toll-free hotline 888-283-2662 (after hours and weekends) and then submitting ATF Form 5400.5, "Report of Theft or Loss—Explosive Materials", in accordance with the instructions on the form. The theft or loss shall also be reported to appropriate local authorities.

The same requirements are imposed upon persons other than licensees and permittees, except that non-licensees and non-permittees, other than carriers, need not report a theft or loss on Form 5400.5, but must report the theft or loss by telephone, using the same numbers listed above, and in writing to the nearest ATF office. The theft or loss shall also be reported to appropriate local authorities.

Carriers of explosive materials who have knowledge of the theft or loss of any explosive materials must report such theft or loss within 24 hours of discovery to ATF and to appropriate local authorities. Carriers need not make the report on the ATF form or in writing.

See 27 CFR 555.30 for the specific information required to be reported in connection with a theft or loss.

[18 U.S.C. 842(k), 18 U.S.C. 844(p); 27 CFR 555.30]

If a firearm is brought in for repairs and the owner waits while it is being repaired, or if the gunsmith is able to return the firearm to the owner during the same business day, it is not necessary to list the firearm in the A&D record as an “acquisition.”

If the gunsmith has possession of the firearm from one business day to another or longer, the firearm must be recorded as an “acquisition” and a “disposition” in the A&D record.

Yes. Licensed gunsmiths are required to comply with written notification to unlicensed individuals upon delivery of a handgun. A gunsmith who transfers handguns to nonlicensees must also comply with the sign posting requirement.

[27 CFR 478.103]

No, if the firearm is being returned to the person from whom it was received. However, if the firearm is delivered to someone other than the person from whom it was received, a NICS background check is required.

[18 U.S.C. 922(t); 478.124(a)]

No, provided the firearm is returned to the person from whom it was received.

[27 CFR 478.124(a) and 478.147]

Yes. Licensed gunsmiths may make on-the-spot repairs at skeet, trap, target, and similar organized shooting events.

Yes, a licensed gunsmith may receive a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm for the sole purpose of repair and subsequent return to its owner.

It is suggested that the owner obtain permission from ATF for the transfer by submitting an ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm, to the NFA Branch and receive approval prior to the delivery. The gunsmith should do the same prior to returning the firearm.

This is a legal requirement. Federal employees are often asked to handle sensitive, personally identifiable or medical information. If selected for a federal job, you must at least go through a basic background check to make sure you are reliable, trustworthy and suitable for the job. The background check process starts after you accept a job offer.

Yes. Check your application status in USAJobs. You can also find and filter your applications.

Yes. The announcement always includes a point of contact available to answer any questions you may have. Be sure to consult the announcement for that person’s name and contact information.

All suitability issues are reviewed on a case-by-case basis during the pre-employment screening process.