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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
Newsletter 1983 - Volume 1, Issue 1 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 326.03 KB]

What's In This Issue: A Message from the Director of ATF; Tracing Firearms for Law Enforcement; Frequently Asked Questions

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:

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:

Newsletter February 1979 - Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Newsletter [PDF - 343.72 KB]

What's In This Issue: ATF Facts - Registered Firearms and Weapons

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:

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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