Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
ATF Ruling 2023-2 Commercial Records (540 KB)

This ruling authorizes licensed explosives importers, manufacturers and dealers to maintain commercial records instead of a separate record as a permanent record of acquisitions, distributions/dispositions, and use of explosive materials. 

Explosives Ruling
All FFLs-Open Letter-Nov 2023-Solvent Trap Devices (366 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearmsilencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Firearms Open Letter
All FELs-Nov 2023-Notification for Previously Exempted Special Explosive Devices (SECs) (238 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Explosives Open Letter
2023-1 - Electronic Explosives Records Ruling (378 KB)

ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees to maintain their explosives records electronically instead of in paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Explosives Ruling
ATF EIB NPRM - Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms (729 KB)

The Department of Justice (“Department”) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (“BSCA”), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Rules and Regulations Rulemaking
All NC FFLs-Open Letter- Aug 2023-Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (188 KB)

The purpose of this Open Letter is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
check requirement.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs - July 2023 - Open Letter - Safe Storage (206 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

Firearms Open Letter
Public Safety Advisory - Consumer Fireworks - June 2023 (211 KB)

Public Safety Advisory - Consumer Fireworks, June 2023

Explosives Public Advisory
Oklahoma-Jun2023-OpenLetter-SDALicense (188 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after November 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Firearms Open Letter
2016-5 – Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors (93 KB)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (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.
Firearms Ruling
Vermont - March 2023 - Open Letter - Changes to Vermont Law 13 V.S.A. § 4019 (179 KB)

Changes to Vermont Law, 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) § 4019, effective July 1, 2022, have generated questions from Vermont FFLs. This letter alerts Vermont FFLs to the recent changes in Vermont law and provides guidance to ensure Vermont FFLs remain in compliance.

Firearms Open Letter
1967-306 - Reactivate Unserviceable Firearms (156 KB)

A licensed manufacturer who also paid special (occupational) tax under the National Firearms Act may reactivate an unserviceable firearm for the purpose of sale or other disposition without incurring firearms “making” tax liability.

Firearms Ruling
All FFLs - Jan 2023 - Open Letter - Machinegun Dealer Sales Sample Letters (219 KB)

Open letter to the Federal firearms licensee (FFL) community to advise on the restrictions and parameters of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), which generally prohibits the possession or transfer of machineguns imported or manufactured after May 19, 1986, with limited exceptions.

Firearms Open Letter
2022-2 - Remote Avalanche Control Devices (237 KB)

ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and State and local government agencies conducting avalanche control/mitigation activities, to store explosives in remote avalanche control systems, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Explosives Ruling
All FFLs-Dec2022-Open Letter-Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete Polymer80, Lone Wolf, and Similar Semiautomatic Pistol Frames (805 KB)

ATF is issuing this open letter to assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” frame of a Polymer80, Lone Wolf, or similar semiautomatic, striker-fired pistol (sometimes generally referred to as “Glock-type” pistols) has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional frame, and is therefore classified as a “frame” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F).

Rules and Regulations Open Letter
2022-01 - Electronic Storage of Forms 4473.pdf (227 KB)

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.

Firearms Ruling
All FFLs-September 2022-Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete AR-15/M-16 Type Receivers (1037 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this open letter to further assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” receiver of an AR-15/M-16 variant weapon has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional receiver, and is therefore classified as a “frame or receiver” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F), which became effective August 24, 2022.

Firearms Open Letter
Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings (2008R-15P) Aug. 10, 2010 (63 KB)

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This proposed rule clarifies that such hearings are held in an informal setting and that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment for review and consideration. The proposed regulations are intended to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or imposition of a civil fine.

Firearms Rulemaking
Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings (2008R-15P) Feb. 3, 2012 (65 KB)

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This proposed rule clarifies that such hearings are held in an informal setting and that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment for review and consideration. The proposed regulations are intended to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or imposition of a civil fine.

Firearms General Notice
Elimination of Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473 (Low Volume) (2008R-21P) Aug. 5, 2010 (61 KB)

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by eliminating the Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473 (Low Volume (LV)), Parts I and II. These forms may be used by federally licensed firearms dealers as an alternate record for the receipt and disposition of firearms. Because licensees rarely use Forms 4473 (LV), ATF has determined that continued use of these forms is unwarranted and they should be eliminated. The standard Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, is being retained. If the proposed rule is adopted, licensees will be required to use the standard Form 4473 for all dispositions and maintain a record of the acquisition and disposition of firearms in accordance with the regulations.

Firearms Rulemaking
Decision-Making Authority Regarding the Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of a Federal Firearms License, or Imposition of a Civil Fine (68 KB)

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.

Firearms Rulemaking
Decision-Making Authority Regarding the Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of a Federal Firearms License, or Imposition of a Civil Fine (2008R-10P) Jan. 14, 2009 (61 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending 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. The Director will have the flexibility to delegate to another ATF official the authority to decide a revocation or denial matter, or may exercise that authority himself.

Firearms Rulemaking
Technical Amendments to Regulations in Title 27, Chapter 11 (2006R-6P) (54 KB)

This final rule makes technical amendments and corrects typographical errors in parts 447, 478, 479, and 555 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). All changes are to provide clarity and uniformity throughout these regulations.

Firearms Rulemaking
U.S. Munitions Import List and Import Restrictions Applicable to Certain Countries (2005R-5P) Dec. 26, 2007 (56 KB)

This final rule conforms the regulations in 27 CFR Part 447 to the revised International Traffic in Arms Regulations by amending the list of countries from which the importation of defense articles into the United States is proscribed by adding Afghanistan and removing South Africa and some of the states composing the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan). The rule also removes the arms embargo against the countries of Serbia and Montenegro. It also clarifies an outdated reference in the regulations to Zaire, currently known as the "Democratic Republic of the Congo," and makes a miscellaneous technical amendment to the regulations.

Firearms Rulemaking
Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms, Amended Definition of "Pistol" (2003R-33P) (60 KB)

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations relating to machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to clarify the definition of the term ‘‘pistol’’ and to define more clearly exceptions to the ‘‘pistol’’ definition.

Firearms Rulemaking
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