Publications

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by removing the 90- day State residency requirement for aliens lawfully present in the United States to purchase or acquire a firearm. The Department has determined that the Gun Control Act does not permit ATF to impose a regulatory requirement that aliens lawfully present in the United States are subject to a 90-day State residency requirement when such a requirement is not applicable to U.S. citizens. In addition, upon the effective date of this interim final rule the provisions of ATF Ruling 2004–1 will become obsolete.

Published/Revised: April 26, 2016

In 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) published an interim final rule implementing the provision of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, relating to firearms disabilities for certain nonimmigrant aliens. That regulation implemented the law by prohibiting, with certain exceptions, the sale or disposition of firearms or ammunition to, and the possession, shipment, transportation, or receipt of firearms or ammunition by, nonimmigrant aliens.

Published/Revised: April 26, 2016

This Treasury decision makes technical amendments and corrects typographical errors in parts 55, 70, 270 and 275 of title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Published/Revised: March 27, 2001

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by allowing shock tube to be stored with detonators because these materials when stored together do not pose a mass detonation hazard. Shock tube is a small diameter plastic laminate tube coated with a very thin layer of explosive material. When initiated, it transmits a low energy wave from one point to another. The outer surface of the tube remains intact during and after functioning.

Published/Revised: May 6, 2016

The Department of Justice has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) to delegate to the Director of ATF the authority to serve as the deciding official regarding the denial, suspension, or revocation of federal firearms licenses, or the imposition of a civil fine. Under the interim rule, the Director has the flexibility to delegate to another ATF official the authority to decide a revocation or denial matter, or may exercise that authority himself. Because the Director can redelegate authority to take action as the final agency decision-maker to Headquarters officials, field officials, or some combination thereof, such flexibility allows ATF to more efficiently conduct denial, suspension, and revocation hearings, and make the determination whether to impose a civil fine. This gives the agency the ability to ensure consistency in decision-making and to address any case backlogs that may occur.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022

The Department of Justice has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule that amended the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) to delegate to the Director of ATF the authority to serve as the deciding official regarding the denial, suspension, or revocation of federal firearms licenses, or the imposition of a civil fine.

Published/Revised: April 21, 2022

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

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 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

 The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is amending the regulations to implement the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Pub. L. 107–296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (enacted Nov. 25, 2002). 

Published/Revised: May 6, 2016

This final rule eliminates the requirements that manufacturers of tobacco products apply to ATF to remove tobacco products from their factories in bond for experimental purposes and that they maintain the approved applications for their records. In place of these requirements, manufacturers of tobacco products will prepare and maintain records of tobacco products removed from their factories in bond for experimental purposes. In addition, this final rule defines ‘‘experimental purposes’’ under section 5704(a) of Title 26 of the United States Code.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

These final regulations implement the provisions of Public Law 103-322, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. This Treasury decision adopts the regulations substantially as proposed in Notice No. 807, as amended by Notice No. 833.

Published/Revised: August 11, 1997

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

This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in its Procedure and Administration regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required these regulations with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.19 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 corrects some typographical errors and updates the disclosure provisions.

Published/Revised: May 29, 2001

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 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

This final rule places all ATF authorities contained in parts 20, 21 and 22, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by such parts, 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.’’ Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.9 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated all of the authorities in 27 CFR parts 20, 21 and 22 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: January 19, 2001

This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in part 24, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the appropriate ATF officer and requires that persons file documents required by part 24, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the appropriate ATF officer or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director. 

Published/Revised: February 9, 1999

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations in part 295 - Removal of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax for Use of the United States, title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Published/Revised: November 13, 2001

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

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

Authority delegation. This final rule places most ATF authorities contained in parts 17 and 18, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by parts 17 and 18, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director. Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.13 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated most of the authorities in 27 CFR parts 17 and 18 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: January 19, 2001

This final rule places ATF authorities contained in part 25, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ and requires that persons file documents required by part 25, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), with the ‘‘appropriate ATF officer’’ or in accordance with the instructions on the ATF form. Also, this final rule removes the definitions of, and references to, specific officers subordinate to the Director and the word ‘‘region.’’ Concurrently with this Treasury Decision, ATF Order 1130.10 is being published. Through this order, the Director has delegated most of the authorities in 27 CFR part 25 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: January 19, 2001

This document makes one correction to a final rule published in the Federal Register of Jan. 19, 2001, regarding delegation of authorities contained in part 25, title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Published/Revised: April 4, 2001

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