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Firearms Publications

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.

Document type Title and Description
Regulatory 1997-2 - Semiautomatic Firearms Resembling the Browning 1919A-4 and A-6 Machineguns [PDF - 15.34 KB]

Whether a 1919 A-4 semiautomatic firearm and 1919 A-6 semiautomatic rifle are "portable" firearms subject to tax when sold by their importer or manufacturer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 4181.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1996-2 - Estate Sale Auctioneers and FFL Requirements [PDF - 31.65 KB]

Auctioneers who regularly conduct consignment-type auctions of firearms, e.g., held every 1-2 months, on behalf of firearms owners where the auctioneer takes possession pursuant to a consignment contract with the owner of the firearms, giving the auctioneer authority to sell the firearms and providing for a commission to be paid upon such sale, are required to obtain a license as a dealer in firearms.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1995-3 - 37/38mm Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition are Defined as NFA Weapons [PDF - 30.4 KB]

37/38 mm gas/flare guns possessed with cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, or bean bags are classified as destructive devices for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1994-2 - Striker 12 Shotgun Defined as NFA Weapon [PDF - 34.83 KB]

The Striker-12/Streetsweeper shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1994 - February - New Mexico - All FFLs - Implementation of Brady Law Requirements [PDF - 34.11 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Mexico the requirements of the Brady Law. 

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon [PDF - 33.47 KB]

The USAS-12 shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1985-10 - Surplus Military Frames or Receivers, Alone, Denied Importation [PDF - 31.73 KB]

Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples [PDF - 28.49 KB]

A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1983-5 - STEN MK II as NFA Weapon [PDF - 23.56 KB]

The YAC STEN MK II carbine is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1982-8 - SM10, SM11A Pistols and SAC Carbines as NFA Weapons [PDF - 27.17 KB]

The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1982-2 - KG-9 Pistol as NFA Weapon [PDF - 25.1 KB]

The KG-9 pistol is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1981-4 - Auto Sear [PDF - 12.82 KB]

The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b).

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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