Firearms Publications Library
ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.
| Title | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
 1956-597 - Classification of a .38 caliber "pen" gun (175.83 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a .38 caliber "pen" gun and a 20-gauge weapon ostensibly designed as tear gas devices are classified as firearms within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms |
|
1956-581 - Classification of a weapon made from a wooden rat trap (61.12 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a weapon made from a wooden rattrap, affixed with a short threaded barrel chambered for a pistol cartridge and which is fired by a wire trigger release is a firearm classified as an “any other weapon” and within the purview of the NFA. | Firearms |
|
1956-548 - Classification of a "Bridger" 45 caliber Shoulder Line Throwing Gun (83.85 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that under certain conditions a “Bridger” 45 is a firearm within the purview of the NFA. | Firearms |
|
1956-470 - Classification of Miniature Cannon (58.91 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a miniature cannon with a 20-gauge barrel and certain other component parts in its assembled condition is not a “firearm” as defined in section 5848 of the Internal Revenue Code. | Firearms |
|
1956-195 - Classification of a Remington rolling-block carbine (59.76 KB) |
This ruling advises that a Remington rolling-block carbine 7mm Mauser caliber converted into a handgun type weapon chambered for the .257 Roberts rifle cartridge is a firearm defined in the .Internal Revenue Code. | Firearms |
|
1956-47 - Classification of the "Project-O-Life" (163.31 KB) |
This ruling advises that the "Project-O’LiFe," ostensibly designed to fire two .38 caliber gas shells simultaneously and to serve as a flashlight is a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act and the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms |
|
1956-28 - Classification of a "Molgun" (103.23 KB) |
This ruling advises that a "Molgun" made of an aluminum casing, an exposed firing mechanism, and a removable insert chamber of 12-gauge bore is a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms |
|
1955-699 - Classification of a burglar alarm device (112.5 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a burglar alarm device consisting of a metal cylinder, hinged in the middle so it can be opened to chamber a 20-gauge shotgun is not a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms |
|
1955-569 - Classification of a submarine spear fishing device (146.06 KB) |
This ruling clarifies when a device ostensibly designed for submarine spearfishing but capable of chambering and firing .22 caliber rimfire ammunition would be considered a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms |
|
1955-528 - Classification of crank-operated gear-driven Gatling guns (126.77 KB) |
This ruling clarifies at what point a crank-operated gear-driven Gatling guns would fall or would not fall within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms |