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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 TD-462: Stills and Miscellaneous Regulations; Recodification of Regulations - 01–20482 - Aug. 15, 2001 [PDF - 39.61 KB]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations pertaining to stills. The purpose of this recodification is to reissue the regulations in part 170 of title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (27 CFR part 170) as 27 CFR part 29. This change improves the organization of title 27 CFR.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-463: Rules of Practice in Permit Proceedings; Recodification of Regulations - 01–20483 - Aug. 15, 2001 [PDF - 85.32 KB]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations pertaining to the rules of practice in permit proceedings.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory TD-411: Technical Amendments to 27 CFR Part 178 - 99-8869 - March 12, 1999 [PDF - 18.49 KB]

This Treasury decision changes the titles "Regional Director (Compliance)" to "Director of Industry Operations" and "Chief, Firearms and Explosives Licensing Center" to "Chief, National Licensing Center." It also replaces the term "region" with "division" and the term "regional counsel" with "Assistant Chief Counsel and Division Counsel." Finally, the decision replaces the words "local ATF office (compliance)" with "local ATF office." The changes are to provide clarity and uniformity throughout Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory TD-464: Exportation of Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, Without Payment of Tax, or With Drawback of Tax; Recodification of Regulations - 01–20906 - Aug. 20, 2001 [PDF - 42.15 KB]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is recodifying the regulations pertaining to the exportation of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, without payment of tax, or with drawback of tax. The purpose of this recodification is to reissue the regulations in part 290 of title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (27 CFR part 290) as 27 CFR part 44. This change improves the organization of title 27.

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-465: Implementation of Public Laws 106-476 and 106-554, Relating to Tobacco Importation Restrictions, Markings, Repackaging, and Destruction of Forfeited Tobacco Products - 01–21857 - Aug. 29, 2001 [PDF - 58.17 KB]

This final rule amends the regulations governing tobacco products in order to implement several provisions of the Imported Cigarette Compliance Act of 2000 included as part of the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000. Sections 4002 and 4003 of this new law require that tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in the United States and labeled or shipped for exportation (under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC)) can only be re-imported by the original manufacturer or by an export warehouse proprietor authorized to do so by the original manufacturer  (except for a personal use exemption discussed below), provide that those articles labeled for exportation may not be sold or held for sale for domestic consumption in the United States unless they are removed from their export packaging and repackaged by the original manufacturer into new packaging that does not contain an export label, and require the destruction of tobacco products forfeited under section 5761(c) of the IRC. 

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Regulatory TD-471: Implementation of Public Law 105-0277, Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, Relating to Firearms Disabilities for Nonimmigrant Aliens - 02–2714 - Feb. 5, 2002 [PDF - 108.09 KB]

We are amending the regulations to implement the provision of Public Law 105–277, Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, relating to firearms disabilities for nonimmigrant aliens. These regulations implement the law by prohibiting, with certain exceptions, the transfer to and possession of firearms and ammunition by aliens in the United States in a nonimmigrant classification. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory TD-467: Implementation of Public Law 106-544 for Certain Amendments to Balanced Budget Act of 1997 - 01–24052 - Sept. 28, 2001 [PDF - 41.39 KB]

This document implements regulations relating to certain provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, Public Law 106–554. These provisions revised the definition of ‘‘manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes’’ and removed the definition of ‘‘cigarette papers’’ in section 5702 of Title 26 of the United States Code. The provisions of these sections are retroactive to the effective date of section 9302 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which was Jan. 1, 2000.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2010R-26P - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War and Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms; Extending the Term of Import Permits - Feb. 6, 2012 [PDF - 68.78 KB]

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years. The additional time will allow importers sufficient time to complete the importation of the authorized commodity. In addition, it will eliminate the need for the importer to submit a new import application, ATF Form 6, where the importation was not completed within the 1-year period. Extending the term of import permits will result in a substantial cost and time savings for both the industry and ATF. This proposed change would be consistent with Executive Order 13563 of Jan. 18, 2011, which directs agencies to review existing significant rules to make regulatory programs more effective or less burdensome in achieving regulatory objectives.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011R-23P - Residency Requirements for Aliens Acquiring Firearms - June 7, 2012 [PDF - 71.49 KB]

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:

Firearms
Regulatory 2010R-26P - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War and Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms, Extending the Term of Import Permits - Feb. 7, 2014 [PDF - 68.23 KB]

This rule amends the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the standard term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2011R-25P - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - Removal of Certain Defense Articles Currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that No Longer Warrant Import Control Under the Arms Export Control Act - March 27, 2014 [PDF - 73.34 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2012R-9P - Authorization to Seize Property Involved in Drug Offenses for Administrative Forfeiture - Feb. 25, 2014 [PDF - 61.17 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to extend the trial period during which the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) may exercise, for an additional one-year period following the effective date of this rule, the authority under the United States Code to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses. The Attorney General has determined that the trial period that ends on February 25, 2014, should be extended for another year to give ATF more time to refine its processes, fully hire and train all necessary staff, and further demonstrate the effectiveness of the delegation in the investigation of violent crimes involving firearms. This rule is effective March 4, 2014.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2012R-9P - Authorization to Seize Property Involved in Drug Offenses for Administrative Forfeiture - Aug. 27, 2012 [PDF - 54.53 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to allow the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to exercise, for a one-year period following the effective date of this rule, the authority to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses. Many years of experience have demonstrated that forfeiting the assets of criminals is an essential tool in combating criminal activity and provides law enforcement with the capacity to dismantle criminal organizations that would continue to function after the conviction and incarceration of individual offenders. Moreover, administrative forfeiture permits the expedient and effective use of this crucial law enforcement tool. This rule is effective February 25, 2013.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2001R-332P - Firearms Disabilities for Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens - June 7, 2012 [PDF - 75.08 KB]

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. This final rule addresses only the nonimmigrant alien visa issue. The remaining issues raised by the 2002 interim final rule, and the public comments submitted with respect to those issues, will be addressed in a separate forthcoming rule.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory 2013R-9F - Technical Amendments - Aug. 11, 2014 [PDF - 65.42 KB]

This final rule makes technical amendments and corrects typographical errors in ATF regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Many of the technical changes are being made to reflect changes in nomenclature resulting from the transfer of ATF to the Department of Justice from the Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The changes are designed to provide clarity and enhance uniformity throughout these regulations.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Regulatory 2011R-25P - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - Removal of Certain Defense Articles Currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that No Longer Warrant Important Control Under the Arms Export Control Act - May 29, 2015 [PDF - 59.13 KB]

The Department of Justice is finalizing without change an amendment to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the United States Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory Commerce in Explosives - Amended Definition of "Propellant Actuated Device" - Jan. 14, 2009 [PDF - 109.46 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to clarify that the term "propellant actuated device" does not include hobby rocket motors or rocket-motor reload kits consisting of or containing ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (‘‘APCP’’), black powder, or other similar low explosives.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory 2004R-7P - Commerce in Explosives - Hobby Rocket Motors - Aug. 11, 2006 [PDF - 152.92 KB]

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to clarify that the requirements of part 555 do not apply to model rocket motors consisting of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, black powder, or other similar low explosives, containing no more than 62.5 grams of total propellant weight, and designed as single-use motors or as reload kits capable of reloading no more than 62.5 grams of propellant into a reusable motor casing.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Alabama [PDF - 130.12 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Alabama 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Alaska [PDF - 159.76 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Alaska

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 American Samoa [PDF - 93.63 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 American Samoa 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Arizona [PDF - 144.9 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Arizona 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Arkansas [PDF - 104.84 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Arkansas 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 California [PDF - 527.92 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 California 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Regulatory State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Colorado [PDF - 155.86 KB]

State Laws and Published Ordinances - 2025 Colorado 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

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