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Firearms Q&As

Quick Links to Firearms Q&A Category Pages

If you currently have a Federal Firearms License

If you do not have a Federal Firearms License

Imports (non-licensees)

NFA (non-licensees)

Other topics

Nonimmigrant Aliens

Does a Canadian citizen residing in the United States need an alien number or admission number to purchase a firearm?

Do nonimmigrant aliens need to obtain a permit to temporarily import firearms into the United States for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes?

Do aliens that have an approved ATF Form 6 NIA need to provide Customs and Border Protection (CPB) with an ATF Form 6A?

Can an alien who enters the United States on a nonimmigrant alien visa rent a firearm for lawful hunting or sporting purposes while in the United States?

Can a nonimmigrant alien obtain a waiver from the prohibition on shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition?

Are there any restrictions on the types of firearms that can be temporarily imported into the United States for hunting or for a shooting competition?

Pawnbrokers

What is the procedure for a pawnbroker to return a pawned firearm?

To whom may a pawnbroker return a pawned firearm?

May a pawnbroker conduct a NICS background check prior to accepting a firearm for pawn?

Is a pawnbroker required to comply with the requirements to give written notification to handgun transferees and post signs regarding juveniles and handguns?

Are there categories of persons to whom a pawnbroker cannot return firearms?

Personal Collections-Licensees

May a licensee store personal firearms at the business premises?

May a licensee maintain a personal collection of firearms? How can they do so?

May a licensee create a personal collection to avoid the recordkeeping and NICS background check requirements of the GCA?

Does a licensee have to record firearms acquired prior to obtaining the license in their acquisition and disposition record?

Receiver Blanks

When does a receiver need to have markings and/or serial numbers?

What is an “80%” or “unfinished" receiver?

Is ATF aware of the receiver blanks, commonly referred to as 80% receivers?

Have firearms made from unmarked receiver blanks been recovered after being used in a crime?

Can functioning firearms made from receiver blanks be traced?

Are “80%” or “unfinished” receivers illegal?

Are there restrictions on who can purchase receiver blanks?

Are some items being marketed as non-firearm "unfinished" or "80%" receivers actually considered firearms?

Record Required - Licensees

What is the licensee’s responsibility where an alternate method to maintain records has been authorized?

What is a "bound book"?