Rules Regulations Library
| Document Type | Title and Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Ruling | 2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling
ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2006-2 - Classification of Devices Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm
The NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2010-1 - Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee
Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2009-2 - Installation of Drop In Replacement Parts
Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2004-5 - Mini-gun Ruling
The 7.62mm Aircraft Machine Gun, identified in the U.S. military inventory as the "M-134" (Army), "GAU-2B/A" (Air Force), and "GAU-17/A" (Navy), is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Rev. Rul. 55-528 modified.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon
The USAS-12 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: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples
A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers
The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2015 - January - Southwest Border FFLs - FFL Burglaries
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to keeping industry members informed of important trends and regulatory developments. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter which briefly addresses burglaries at licensed premises in the greater Houston, Texas, area and offers basic, preventive, methods for combating thefts. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2009 - May - All FFLs - Notice to All NFA Special Taxpayers for Tax Year 2010
The renewal returns for Tax Year 2010 will be mailed by the end of May 2009 to any person who paid the special (occupational) tax (SOT) for Tax Year 2009 to import, manufacture, or deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - July - All FFLs - ATF Releases Revised ATF Form 4473
ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the-Counter (Form 4473) has been revised. This letter highlights the changes to the form. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2010-6 - State of Residence
For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2003-3 - Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale
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 |
| Ruling | 2007-2 - Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks
Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins
ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2011-4 - Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols
Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines
ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2011-2 - Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 1973-13 - Gunsmithing Premises and Regular Business Hours
Because of the nature of operations conducted by a gunsmith, he shall not be required to have business premises open to the general public or to have regular business hours.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
