Firearms Publications

What's In This Issue: ATF Distribution Center; Canadian Firearms Issues; NICS and Returned Firearms Issues; Age Restrictions on Firearms Transactions; Modern Muzzleloading Issues; Secure Gun Storage Devices Amendment; Nonresident Alien Prohibited Person Category; Relief of Disability Information; Gun Shows and Events; Sales of Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices to Campus Police Departments; Sales of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons to Law Enforcement Officers; Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Markings; Licensees Who Discontinue Business; Licensee Address and Mail Delivery Issues

Published/Revised: February 28, 1999

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in South Carolina of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: November 13, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Jersey of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: November 10, 1998

The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 1999 provides that a pawnbroker may complete a NICS check when a firearm is offered as collateral for a loan, at the option of the dealer. ATF will be publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting forth the procedures pawnbrokers must follow if they wish to complete the optional NICS check at the time a firearm is offered for pawn.

Published/Revised: October 30, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in North Dakota of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: October 30, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Hampshire of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law.

Published/Revised: October 28, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Vermont of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: October 26, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Mexico of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: October 23, 1998

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is amending the regulations to implement the provisions of Public Law 103-159, relating to the permanent provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. These regulations implement the law by requiring, with some exceptions, a licensed firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer to contact the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) before transferring any firearm to an unlicensed individual. NICS will advise the licensee whether the system contains any information that the prospective purchaser is prohibited by law from possessing or receiving a firearm.

Published/Revised: October 16, 1998

What's In This Issue: National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS); New Firearms Transaction Record; Reporting Multiple Sales or Other Dispositions of Pistols and Revolvers; Age Restriction Reminder; Resolution of Modern Muzzle Loading Court Case; Firearms Sales to Foreign Nationals; National Firearms Act Information; Limited to Use as Sales Sample; Importing Information; Importation of Firearms for Display at Industry Trade Shows; FFL or Interstate Theft Procedures and Information; FFL Concerns and Alerts

Published/Revised: August 31, 1998

This final rule amends regulations relating to the manufacturers excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Under 26 U.S.C. 4181, a tax is imposed on the sale by the manufacturer, importer or producer of firearms, shells, and cartridges. The tax is 10 percent of the sale price for pistols and revolvers, 11 percent for firearms (other than pistols and revolvers), and 11 percent for shells and cartridges. Current regulations provide that no tax is imposed by section 4181 on the sale of parts or accessories of firearms, pistols, revolvers, shells, and cartridges when sold separately or when sold with a complete firearm. This final rule amends the regulations to clarify which parts and accessories must be included in the sale price when calculating the tax on firearms.

Published/Revised: August 3, 1998

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is amending the firearms regulations to require that signs be posted on the premises of Federal firearms licensees and that written notification be issued with each handgun sold advising of the provisions of the Youth Handgun Safety Act.

Published/Revised: June 6, 1998