Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 ATF Industry Circular 2003-1: Establishment of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (52 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise members of the alcohol and tobacco industries that, effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will be responsible for administering the alcohol and tobacco laws noted below and implementing regulations currently administered by ATF. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-2: Establishing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (54 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 89-6: Facsimile Transmitted Copies (1365 KB) |
The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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South Dakota-March 2021-Open Letter-Regular Concealed Carry Permit as NICS Alternative (206 KB) |
A South Dakota Regular Concealed Carry Permit, issued on or after July 1, 2018, can be used as an alternative to the required NICS background check. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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SB Criteria Withdrawal Notice 12-23-20.pdf (106 KB) |
ATF is announcing the withdrawal of a notice and request for comments entitled “Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘Stabilizing Braces’,” that was published on December 18, 2020. | Firearms | General Notice |
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2003-1 — Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (213 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Browning M1919 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines (29 KB) |
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.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (76 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale.pdf (194 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Sten type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles (21 KB) |
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2003-3 — Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (230 KB) |
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. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2003-2 — Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (188 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the FN FAL type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-Jan2013-Open Letter-Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals (298 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2002-6 - Identification of Firearms, Armor Piercing Ammunition, and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (76 KB) |
In accordance with 27 CFR 178.92 and 27 CFR 179.102, identification of firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the terms "conspicuously" and "legibly" as used therein mean, respectively, that the markings are wholly unobstructed from plain view and that the markings contain exclusively Roman letters and Arabic numerals. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-New E-mail Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees (26 KB) |
ATF is offering Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2014-1 - Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for LE and Military (49 KB) |
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. A manufacturer may deliver machine guns it has manufactured to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing process; provided, the first manufacturer maintains continuous dominion or control over the machine guns. A manufacturer may transfer machine guns it has manufactured for present or future sale to a federal, state, or local government agency to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing processes or storage; provided, the manufacturer has a specific government contract or official written request documenting that it is an agent of the government agency requesting and authorizing such transfer. ATF Ruling 2004-2 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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AG 3608-2016: Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity With Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm (4940 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This final rule defines the term "responsible person," as used in reference to a trust, partnership, association, company, or corporation; requires responsible persons of such trusts or legal entities to complete a specified form and to submit photographs and fingerprints when the trust or legal entity files an application to make an NFA firearm or is listed as the transferee on an application to transfer an NFA firearm; requires that a copy of all applications to make or transfer a firearm, and the specified form for responsible persons, as applicable, be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) of the locality in which the applicant/transferee or responsible person is located; and eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the CLEO. These provisions provide a public safety benefit as they ensure that responsible persons undergo background checks. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-Aug2010-Open Letter-Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers (101 KB) |
This open letter contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.”
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Clarification for FFLs on Obtaining a Marking Variance (122 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR § 478.92.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Jan2004-Open Letter-Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry (95 KB) | This open letter discusses the importance of the partnerships that have been established between ATF and the firearms industry and to reinforce our joint responsibilities under the Gun Control Act (GCA). | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Apr2001-Open Letter-End of Registration Period for Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and USAS-12 Shotguns (88 KB) |
On February 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.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-September 11th Anniversary (90 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to encourage all Federal firearms licensees to increase their awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Jan2009-Open Letter-Availability of 2007 - 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances (ATF P 5300.5) (96 KB) |
The purpose of this Open Letter is to make you aware of the availability of the 2007, 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5). This publication is now being distributed in a CD-ROM version.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco (2006R-1P) (111 KB) |
The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to implement certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (enacted March 9, 2006) relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Rulemaking |
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ATF Industry Circular 77-20: Duplication of Serial Numbers on Imported Firearms (361 KB) |
Importers of Firearms and Destructive Devices: Recently, ATF has noted cases where some importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |