Rules and Regulations Library

The open letter is to inform all Washington State federal firearms licensees that as of Nov. 30, 2003, all the grandfathered permits will have expired, and Washington FFLs may longer accept a Washington concealed weapons permit as an alternative to a NICS check.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2004

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning Jan. 5, 2006. On this day, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: January 5, 2006

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATP) has received questions from industry members and the general public regarding a new type of firearm produced by the Franklin Armory®. This 'firearm, known as the "Reformation", utilizes a barrel that is produced with straight lands and grooves. This design contrasts with conventional rifling, in which the barrel's lands and grooves are spiral or twisted, and are designed to impart a spin onto the projectile.

Published/Revised: December 19, 2019

This open letter has been rescinded. The State of Vermont has advised us that effective Feb. 1, 2002, it will no longer act as a point of contact for NICS checks. In the absence of any further Vermont legislation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will assume responsibility for conducting NICS checks for firearms transactions in Vermont on Feb. 1, 2002.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this public safety advisory 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), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The correction notice corrects an error found in the ATF open letter, dated Nov. 10, 1998, regarding the point of contact for background checks firearm transfers. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded.  This correction notice is an update to the original background check letter, dated Oct. 28, 1998. The State of New Hampshire has elected to participate as a NICS point of contact for handguns.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in South Carolina of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: November 13, 1998

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Jersey of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: November 10, 1998

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise ffederal firearms licensees in Alabama of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded.  Licensees must be enrolled with the FBI before they can initiate NICS checks through the NICS Operations Center. Licensees who are not currently enrolled are advised to do so upon receipt of this letter.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. This open letter supersedes the document by the same title, posted on April 8, 2010.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Mexico of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: October 23, 1998

This open letter has been rescinded. This correction notice is to advise all New Mexico Federal firearms licensees that the New Mexico Department of Public Safety will no longer participate as the NICS point of contact.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in North Dakota of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: October 30, 1998

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. On Nov. 30, 1998, the interim provisions of the Brady law will cease to apply, and the permanent provisions of the Brady law will take effect.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. The permanent provisions of the Brady law provide for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system (NICS) that licensees must contact before transferring any firearm to unlicensed individuals.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025