Publications

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on Jan. 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: May 16, 2003

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred certain law enforcement and regulatory functions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice and changed its name to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This rule delegates specific authorities to that Bureau and incorporates it into the structure of the Department of Justice.

Published/Revised: January 31, 2003

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 divides the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, into two separate agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in the Department of Justice, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the Department of the Treasury. 27 CFR Parts 447, 478 et al. Reorganization of Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations; Final Rule

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Browning M1919 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale.

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

An ATF-approved method of destruction for the FN FAL type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale.

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Sten type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale.

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Heckler & Koch G3 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale.

Published/Revised: January 24, 2003

What's In This Issue: INS-Issued Alien Numbers and Admission Numbers; Change of Address Requires Amended License; "Contiguous State"; Distribution of Explosive Pest Control Devices at Gun Shows; Questions to the Editor; NICS Denials of Pawn Redemptions; Transfers to Aliens Under a Nonimmigrant Visa; Recording Firearms Serial Numbers; Russian Air Guns and Dummy Guns Manufactured with Prohibited Firearm Component Parts and/or Firearm Receivers; Providing Copies of ATF Form 4473 As Part of Coupon/Rebate Offers; Electronic Versions of ATF Form 4473; Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Information; and more. 

Published/Revised: December 30, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information on a provision of the recently enacted Homeland Security Act of 2002. This provision moves most of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice effective Jan. 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: December 18, 2002

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; ATF Hosts Explosives Industry Executive Meeting; Variances; EPA and the Toxic Substances Control Act; New Industry Circulars; International Explosives Assistance & Coordination; Fugitive Corner

Published/Revised: November 30, 2002

This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to provide you information on the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (the Act), which was enacted on Nov. 25, 2002.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

In accordance with 27 CFR 178.92 and 27 CFR 179.102, identification of firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the terms "conspicuously" and "legibly" as used therein mean, respectively, that the markings are wholly unobstructed from plain view and that the markings contain exclusively Roman letters and Arabic numerals.

Published/Revised: November 5, 2002

This document contains a correction to a final rule published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in the February 7, 2002.

Published/Revised: October 15, 2002

ATF amends the alcohol labeling and advertising rules to cross-reference the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) rules. Any alcohol beverage labeled or advertised with an organic claim must comply with both NOP rules administered by USDA and the applicable rules administered by ATF. Elsewhere in this separate part, ATF invites comments on this temporary rule. We will accept comments during the 60-day period following publication of the rule.

Published/Revised: October 8, 2002

Applications to transfer two (2) machineguns of a particular model to a federal firearms licensee as sales samples will be approved if documentation shows necessity for demonstration to government agencies.

Published/Revised: September 6, 2002

ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with state and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

This open letter contains information about recent changes that may affect your day-to-day operations and/or long-range plans regarding dealer sales samples of machineguns.

Published/Revised: July 30, 2002

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms published a final rule in the April 15, 2002, Federal Register concerning the delegation of the Director’s authorities in its exportation of liquors regulations. This document corrects the amendatory instructions in one paragraph of that final rule.

Published/Revised: July 25, 2002

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; Changes in the A&E Division; Violent Offender Branch Gets New Chief; Bulk Salutes and Licensing; Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) Restrictions; Phone Number for National Licensing Center Changed; ATF's Lab New First Response Field Lab Vehicles; ATF Meets With ISEE, APA; Explosives Forms; Explosives Questions; Fugitive Corner; First Quarter 2002 Explosive Thefts

Published/Revised: May 31, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.

Published/Revised: May 21, 2002

This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in its Exportation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, or With Drawback of Tax regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’. Consequently, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region.’’ This final rule also requires that persons file documents required by these regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.31 is being issued and will be made available as specified in this rule. Through this order, the Director has delegated most of the authorities to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are filed. In addition, this final rule makes a few corrections and miscellaneous changes.

Published/Revised: May 8, 2002

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations pertaining to the importation of distilled spirits, wines, and beer.

Published/Revised: May 8, 2002

This final rule places ATF authorities concerning the exportation of liquors with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions for the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region’’ in reference to ATF. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.27 is being issued and will be available to the public as specified in this rule. Through this order, the Director has delegated all of the authorities concerning the exportation of liquors to the appropriate ATF officers and specified the ATF officers with whom applications, notices, and other reports, which are not ATF forms, are filed.

Published/Revised: April 15, 2002