The Bureau and Law Enforcement
ATF is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans, including those guaranteed by the Second Amendment. The Bureau does not target lawful firearm ownership or commerce. Rather, ATF focuses its enforcement efforts on individuals and criminal organizations that illegally use firearms to commit violent crime. By holding offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law, ATF promotes public safety while preserving the lawful exercise of Second Amendment rights.
ATF works to reduce violent crime involving the criminal illegal use of firearms through an integrated criminal and regulatory enforcement approach. Criminal investigations prioritize armed violent offenders, career criminals, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international firearms traffickers. To prevent the diversion of firearms from legal to illegal markets, ATF Industry Operations Investigators conduct license qualification and compliance inspections and partner with the firearms industry through outreach and training. Regulatory enforcement also supports compliance with applicable federal, state, and local firearm laws.
ATF supports its partnership with the firearms industry through a Senior Industry Partnership Advisor, who serves as the primary liaison to regulated industries and trade associations. The advisor provides timely responses to inquiries, clarifies regulatory requirements, and offers expert guidance to promote fair treatment and strong, sustainable relationships. Questions may be directed to industryliaison@atf.gov.
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Current Processing Times for ATF Applications (Paper and eForms)
What's New
New July 2, 2026: ATF Ruling 2026‑1 – Exemption of SS109/M855 Projectiles and Projectile Cores
ATF has issued a ruling determining that the projectiles and projectile cores used to assemble SS109/M855 cartridges are exempt from the definition of “armor piercing ammunition” under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(B). Although SS109/M855 cartridges themselves were exempted in 1986 as primarily intended for sporting purposes, their steel‑core projectiles remained classified as armor‑piercing. ATF has now concluded that these projectiles are likewise primarily intended for sporting purposes and therefore must be included within the existing exemption. As a result, they may be manufactured, sold, and delivered in accordance with the Gun Control Act provisions applicable to ammunition under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A).
New July 2, 2026: ATF Ruling 2026‑2 – Classification of the BolaWrap 150
ATF has issued a ruling determining that the BolaWrap 150, a remote non‑lethal restraint device, is not a “firearm” under the Gun Control Act (GCA) and not an “any other weapon” (AOW) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Because the device functions as an instrument of restraint rather than an instrument of offensive or defensive combat, it does not meet the statutory definition of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3). Citing the Supreme Court’s 2025 definition of “weapon” as an instrument of combat, ATF concluded that the BolaWrap 150 is neither a firearm nor a weapon‑like device regulated under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5845(a) and 5845(e).
May 8, 2026: Agency Information Collection; Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested; Revision of a Previously Approved Collection; Firearms Transaction Record-ATF Form 5300.9 and 5300.9A (“Form 4473”) - Comment Period: May 8, 2026 - July 7, 2026
Jan. 22, 2026: Agency Information Collection; Proposed eCollection; eComments Requested; Interim Final Rule; Revising Definition of ‘‘Unlawful User of or Addicted to Controlled Substance’’ - Comment Period: Jan. 22, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Federal Firearms Licensees
ATF is proud to announce a new Senior Industry Partnership Advisor. This position is designed to support and enhance ATF’s relationships with the regulated industries, industry associations, and their representatives by providing technical expertise and to help develop and maintain effective, sustainable relationships with the regulated industries. This liaison will be the agency point-of-contact for the regulated industry, associations, and their representatives, helping to clarify obscure issues and provide expert advisory and counseling services on regulatory matters by responding directly to letters, internet inquiries, phone calls and emails. If members of the regulated industries, industry associations, and their representatives have questions for the new liaison, please email industryliaison@atf.gov.
The Tools and Services for Licensees section contains information for the firearms industry and its members, classifications of firearms and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Parts 447, 478 and 479.
If you need assistance regarding firearms enforcement-related issues, please contact your local ATF office.
