Publications

Form 4473 shall not be required to record disposition of a like replacement firearm when such firearm is delivered by a licensee to the person from whom the malfunctioning or damaged firearm was received, provided such disposition is recorded in the licensee's permanent records.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1974

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: November 24, 2010

Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the AFMER, ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 

Published/Revised: June 14, 2012

The upper assembly of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC rifle is classified as the receiver of the firearm 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: May 27, 2008

Approved alternate method or procedure for individuals, federal firearms licensees, and registered importers of articles enumerated on the U.S. Munitions Import List (USMIL) to file ATF Form 6 - Part I and Form 6A electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.  Supersedes ATF Rulings 2003-6 and 2010-9.

Published/Revised: July 10, 2013

Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs, legal entities, and government agencies to file ATF Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.   

Published/Revised: July 10, 2013

Because of the nature of operations conducted by a consultant or expert, he shall not be required to have business premises open to the general public or to have regular business hours.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1973

Licensed firearms or ammunition dealers operating at multiple locations may establish a common expiration date for all licenses.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1973

Persons holding a valid federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. 

Published/Revised: November 30, 2010

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure from the provisions of Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 478.121, 478.124, 478.129, and 27 CFR 479.131 that require Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to retain the ATF Firearms Transaction Record, Form 4473 (5300.9) (Form 4473), in a paper format. Specifically, ATF authorizes FFLs to retain an electronic version of each ATF Form 4473 created pursuant to ATF Ruling 2016-2 (or subsequent ruling), instead of the paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. Additionally, ATF authorizes digital scanning and electronic retention of certain paper ATF Form 4473, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: October 20, 2022

ATF is revoking several guidance documents: specifically three rulings, one procedure, and two industry circulars. ATF Procedure 75-4: Procedure incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; Industry Circular 75-10: Industry Circular incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; ATF Ruling 85-3: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; Industry Circular 85-3: Industry circular made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; ATF Ruling 2001-1: Ruling made unnecessary and obsolete as the registration period ended May 1, 2001.: ATF Ruling 2004-1: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 27 CFR 478.11 (definition of "State of residence").

Published/Revised: December 21, 2017

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: August 1, 2016

ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. CBP an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.

Published/Revised: July 14, 2016

Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs to use an electronic version of Form 4473, instead of the paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.  Supersedes ATF Rul. 2008-3.

Published/Revised: April 29, 2016

Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors to maintain their firearms acquisition and disposition records electronically instead of in paper format provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.  Supersedes ATF Ruling 2013-5.

Published/Revised: April 29, 2016

Any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a "weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," i.e., a "firearm," must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer’s records. 

Published/Revised: January 2, 2015

Classification of a 4-inch diameter barrel extension

Published/Revised: January 1, 1957

Approved alternate method or procedure for importers to use when temporarily importing firearms subject to the NFA, the GCA and the Arms Export Control Act for inspection, testing, calibration, repair, or incorporation into another defense article.

Published/Revised: April 7, 2004

A manufacturer licensed and qualified under the GCA and NFA may manufacture and maintain an inventory of machine guns for future sale to federal, state, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machine guns are properly registered, and their subsequent transfer is conditioned upon and restricted to the sale or distribution of such weapons for the official use of federal, state, or local government agencies.

Published/Revised: May 11, 2015

ATF has determined that federal firearms licensees may lawfully import “dual-use” firearm barrels—barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms—under 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the barrel. Importation may be approved regardless of whether a barrel had been previously configured on non-sporting, military surplus, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Further, once the barrel is in the United States, ATF has determined that nothing in the statutes prevent a dual-use barrel from being used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or NFA firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) (assembly of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun) and the NFA, 26 U.S.C. chapter 53, as applicable. This Ruling supersedes a November 2005 ATF Open Letter on dual-use barrels.

Published/Revised: June 24, 2025

ATF authorizes the importation of certain marking rounds (“training rounds”) because these training rounds do not meet the definition of “ammunition” as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A). These items are not designed for offensive and defensive combat and are not “designed for use in any firearm.” Similarly, training rounds are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act because they are not designed for use in any “firearm” as defined in the permanent importation regulations implementing that statute. An importer of training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm may import the rounds without submitting an ATF Form 6, Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 5330.3A). Note, however, less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, is generally considered ammunition. This Ruling only applies to training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm. 

Published/Revised: June 24, 2025

Any person engaged in the business of selling firearms or pistol or revolver ammunition which are received in interstate commerce, either directly or indirectly, must obtain a Federal Firearms license.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1958

The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Published/Revised: April 11, 2024

This analysis provides an assessment of the impacts to industry, the public, and government from the changes that are detailed in the final rule titled Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms. This RIA does not attempt to precisely replicate the regulatory language of the final rule; the regulatory text of the published rule, not the text of this analysis, is legally binding. 

Published/Revised: April 11, 2022

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of a recent change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as it relates to the transfer of certain types of firearms.

Published/Revised: January 30, 2006