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Publications

ATF occasionally issues publications to inform the industries it regulates and the general public about the laws and regulations administered and enforced by ATF. These include guidebooks, newsletters, brochures, studies, and reports.

Document type Description Category
Regulatory 2003 - June - All FELs - Reminder Regarding the Limited Permit [PDF - 165.35 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2003-5 - Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees [PDF - 49.16 KB]

Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, email, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2003 - May - All FELs - Reminder Regarding Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act [PDF - 176.71 KB]

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:

Explosives
Regulatory TD 439: Delegation of Authority in Part 170 - 03–2252 - Jan. 31, 2003 [PDF - 87.42 KB]

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:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2003-3 - Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale [PDF - 229.69 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2003-1 - Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale [PDF - 212.18 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2003-2 - Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale [PDF - 187.59 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale [PDF - 193.52 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory TD 487: Reorganization of Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations - 03–1657 - Jan. 24, 2003 [PDF - 123.52 KB]

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:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2002 - December - All FFLs - Homeland Security Act of 2002 - ATF Moves to the Department of Justice [PDF - 25.56 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2002 - November - All FELs - Enacted Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act [PDF - 302.6 KB]

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:

Explosives
Regulatory 2002 - All FELs - Safe Explosives Act Provisions for Blasting/Mining Educators [PDF - 202.41 KB]

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

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2002-6 - Identification of Firearms, Armor Piercing Ammunition, and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices [PDF - 75.71 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory TD-472a: Delegation of Authority; Correction - 02–25999 - Oct. 15, 2002 [PDF - 37.48 KB]

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:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-483: Organic Claims in Labeling and Advertising of Alcohol Beverages - 02–25265 - Oct. 8, 2002 [PDF - 43.21 KB]

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:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory 2002-5 - Transfer and Possession Machineguns [PDF - 11.23 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling [PDF - 10.72 KB]

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:

Explosives
Regulatory 2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling [PDF - 85.16 KB]

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

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2002 - July - All FFLs - Importer Dealer Sales Samples [PDF - 41.24 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory TD 477: Correction - 02–18553 - July 25, 2002 [PDF - 31.67 KB]

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:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory 2002 - May - All FELs - Asks that Explosives Licensees and Permittees Remain Vigilant When Selling Explosive Materials [PDF - 101.23 KB]

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:

Explosives
Regulatory TD-480: Delegation of Authority - 02–11258 - May 8, 2002 [PDF - 49.49 KB]

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:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-479: Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer; Recodification of Regulations - 02–11257 - May 8, 2002 [PDF - 43.18 KB]

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

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-477: Delegation of Authority - 02–8869 - April 15, 2002 [PDF - 50.33 KB]

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:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory TD-476: Correction; 2000R-291P - Distribution and Use of Denatured Alcohol and Rum [PDF - 5.52 KB]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms published a final rule in the April 15, 2002, Federal Register concerning the delegation of the Directorate's authorities in its exportation of liquors regulations.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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