Firearms Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the use and acceptance of electronically transmitted permanent change of station (PCS) military order to establish a transferee's state of residence.

Published/Revised: January 13, 2009

Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2009

What's In This Issue: Aliens Buying Ammunition; Sales of Firearms to Licensed Collectors; Tribal Identification Does Not Meet Brady Law Requirements; Change in Business Structure That Requires a New License; Transfer of a National Firearms Act Firearm to a Corporation or Other Legal Entity; Clarification on Multiple Sales Reports; Nonlicensee State- to-State Transfer; Customer Service Enhancements at the Federal Firearms Licensing Center; Aliens Buying Firearms: A Four-Step Guide Following the Four Steps and Know the Exceptions; Providing Copies of Federal Licensees to Unlicensed Persons; FFL Newsletter Abbreviations; Availability of ATF Publication 3312.8 Personal Firearms Record; Achieving Compliance with the Gun Control Act

Published/Revised: November 28, 2008

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR 478.92. 

Published/Revised: August 22, 2008

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the recent amendment to Section 16-23-30, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the unlawful sale of handguns to certain person, so as to prohibit the sale of a handgun to persons under eighteen years of age rather than under twenty-one years of age has no effect on federal firearms laws and regulations.

Published/Revised: August 20, 2008

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federally licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles and clarification on the importability of firearms barrels.

Published/Revised: June 25, 2008

The purpose of this open letter is to inform security firms and other persons who have federal firearms licenses (FFLs), and who may temporarily assign firearms to their unlicensed employees in furtherance of legitimate business purposes, of the statutory and regulatory requirements that affect them.

Published/Revised: June 13, 2008

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2008

The upper assembly of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC rifle is classified as the receiver of the firearm 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: May 27, 2008

This open letter is a reminder of the procedures to follow when completing ATF Form 6A as outlined in 27 CFR 478.112 and on the instruction page of the form.

Published/Revised: May 5, 2008

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding firearms transferees whose only identification documents indicate only Post Office Box or Rural Route number as a residence address.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2007

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that the recent amendment to what was formerly known as Kentucky's contiguous state law has no effect on federal firearms laws and regulations.

Published/Revised: June 25, 2007