Publications

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all State Attorneys General and State Tobacco Tax Administrators with information on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to persons who sell, transfer, or ship for profit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in interstate commerce or who advertise cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for such sale, transfer, or shipment on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised: October 21, 2010

In response to the recent number of inquiries from licensed importers concerning the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms and the submission of supporting documentation, ATF has published ATF Ruling 2001-3.

Published/Revised: November 15, 2001

On Feb. 9, 2001, ATF published a ruling that establishes a final deadline and ends the registration period for individuals who are currently in possession of the Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and the USAS-12 shotguns. The registration period for these shotguns will expire on May 1, 2001.

Published/Revised: April 10, 2001

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This rule clarifies that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts and arguments for review and consideration during the hearing, and may make offers of settlement before and after the hearing. 

Published/Revised: May 23, 2016

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking, in part, pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) which requires an agency to review within ten years of publication, rules for which an agency prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis addressing the impact of the rule on small businesses or other small entities. Based on comments we have received in response to the RFA analysis, this document proposes amendments to the explosives regulations relating to fireworks.

Published/Revised: September 25, 2015

The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.

Published/Revised: July 28, 2017

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

Certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements of pawnbrokers are explained.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1976

ATF prescribes alternate bullet resistance construction standards for explosives storage facilities.

Published/Revised: June 23, 1976

Mere possession of a license and a special tax stamp as a dealer in firearms does not qualify a person to receive firearms transfer-tax-free. Rev. Rul. 58-432 superseded.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1976

The KG-9 pistol is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: January 19, 1982

The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: June 21, 1982

The YAC STEN MK II carbine is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1982

Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation.

Published/Revised: August 29, 1985

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

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

Recordkeeping requirements for Title I firearms from which parts are salvaged for use in repairing firearms are clarified.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1976

A hand-held device designed to expel by means of an explosive two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires attached to a high voltage source in the device classified as a firearm.

Published/Revised: May 1, 1976

When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1974

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

The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b).

Published/Revised: November 1, 1981

A small caliber weapon ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances, or pyrotechnic signals, which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, classified as a firearm.

Published/Revised: June 1, 1975

Explosives manufacturer license required for certain companies that manufacture explosive materials for use in their own operations.

Published/Revised: September 12, 1975