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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 1981-3 - Importation of Firearms Acquired Outside the U.S. by U.S. Citizens [PDF - 29.08 KB]

Nonresident U.S. citizens returning to the United States and nonresident aliens lawfully immigrating to the United States may obtain a permit to import firearms acquired outside of the United States, provided such firearms may be lawfully imported.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1980-8 - Importation of Surplus Military Firearms for Law Enforcement [PDF - 24.75 KB]

Applications to import surplus military firearms or nonsporting firearms or ammunition for individual law enforcement officers for official use must be accompanied by the agency's purchase order.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1980-20 - Rifle Bore Tasers as Firearms [PDF - 23.39 KB]

A hand-held device with a hand grip bent at an angle to the bore and having a rifled bore which is designed to expel, by means of an explosive, two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires to a high voltage source within the device is classified as a firearm. ATF Rul. 76-6 is amplified.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1980-21 - Identification of State of Residency for Out-of-State College Students [PDF - 22.54 KB]

An out-of-State college student may establish residence in a State by residing and maintaining a home in a college dormitory or in a location off-campus during the school term.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events [PDF - 50.03 KB]

The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1976-6 - Tasers as Firearms [PDF - 25.14 KB]

A hand-held device designed to expel by means of an explosive two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires attached to a high voltage source in the device classified as a firearm.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1976-15 - Acquisition and Disposition of Pawned Firearms [PDF - 51.13 KB]

Certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements of pawnbrokers are explained.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1976-22 - Qualifying Tax Free Transfers [PDF - 84.68 KB]

Mere possession of a license and a special tax stamp as a dealer in firearms does not qualify a person to receive firearms transfer-tax-free. Rev. Rul. 58-432 superseded.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1976-25 - Recordkeeping Requirements Salvaged Firearms [PDF - 68.88 KB]

Recordkeeping requirements for Title I firearms from which parts are salvaged for use in repairing firearms are clarified.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1975-7 - Small Caliber Penguns [PDF - 50.38 KB]

A small caliber weapon ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances, or pyrotechnic signals, which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, classified as a firearm.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1975-27 - Renewed Federal Firearms License Conduct of Business [PDF - 66.63 KB]

A firearms licensee may continue operations until his renewal application for a license is finally acted upon.

Published/Revised:

Regulatory 1974-8 - NFA Firearms for Official Use Only [PDF - 67.45 KB]

When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities.

Published/Revised:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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