Firearms Publications

This final rule adopts without change temporary regulations published in the Federal Register on July 16, 1996. The temporary rule amended the regulations in 27 CFR part 53 that require exemption certificates or vendee statements in support of certain tax-free sales of firearms and ammunition. As amended by the temporary rule and this final rule, the regulations provide that taxpayers may use a pre-printed document as an exemption certificate or vendee statement, or design their own certificate and statement using specified information. The regulatory amendments are part of the Administration's efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline requirements.

Published/Revised: January 13, 1998

What's In This Issue: Legislative Issues; New Residency Requirements for Purchasers; Assault Weapon Receivers; Governmental Exemption to Semiautomatic Assault Weapon Ban; Meet the New Customer Service Specialist; Going Out of Business; Wallet Guns; ATF's Stolen Firearms Program

Published/Revised: August 29, 1997

The purpose of this letter is to address the Supreme Court's decision regarding that part of the Brady Handgun Control Act is unconstitutional.

Published/Revised: June 27, 1997

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is amending the regulations to provide definitions for the categories of persons prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms. The definitions will facilitate the implementation of the national instant criminal  background check system (NICS) required under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Published/Revised: April 21, 1997

This temporary rule amends the regulations to provide for a firearms purchaser's affirmative statement of his or her State of residence on ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) and ATF Form 5300.35 (Statement of Intent to Obtain a Handgun) in acquiring a firearm from a federal firearms licensee.

Published/Revised: April 11, 1997

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: February 1, 1997

What's In This Issue: Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act; The Net; New Faces; Address Changes; Improving Firearms Security; Fingerprints; Letters of Authorization; Classification of Gas/Flare Guns With Anti-Personnel Ammunition as Destructive Devices; Processing Applications and Notices Associated With National Firearms Act Weapons Transactions; Multiple Sale Form; ATF Distribution Center; Gun Shows

Published/Revised: August 30, 1996

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: January 1, 1996

What's In This Issue: Streamlined Application Process; New Publications; New Faces; Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Temporary Regulations; Firearms Theft; Restraining Orders; Law Enforcement Sales; Before You Move; Final Brady Regulations; Multiple Sales Reports; No Import Permits to ARMSCOR; Licensing Telephone; Change in Excise Tax Deposits; Going Out of Business; Restoration of Federal Firearms Privileges; The Net; Industry Meetings; Shot Show

Published/Revised: September 29, 1995

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: January 1, 1994

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: March 1, 1994

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

Published/Revised: February 16, 1994