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Rules and Regulations Library

Rules Regulations Library

Document Type Title and Description Category
Open Letter 2003 - November - All FFLs - Procedural Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction [PDF - 1.09 MB]

This letter serves to provide federal firearms licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2012 - December - All FFLs - For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov [PDF - 947.46 KB]

This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Wisconsin - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.49 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.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. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1997 - June - National - All FFLs - Attorney General Brady Law Decision [PDF - 24.8 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to address the Supreme Court's decision regarding that part of the Brady Handgun Control Act is unconstitutional.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - May - All FFLs - Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the VRA [PDF - 42.08 KB]

A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - West Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.89 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure to comply with Federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - January - All FFLs - Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals [PDF - 297.42 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - January - All FFLs - Federal Firearms Licensees Ready Ability [PDF - 237.83 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - July - All FFLs - Third Anniversary of September 11 Attack [PDF - 28.79 KB]

 It will be 3 years this September since America was attacked. We at ATF remain vigilant, but we are requesting your assistance in our national effort to prevent terrorism.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Washington - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.9 MB]

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. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2014 - June - All FELs - Black Powder [PDF - 61.02 KB]

This is an open letter to all federal explosives licensees and permittees in regard to inquiries about black powder exceptions under the federal explosives laws.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 1998 - October - Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.52 MB]

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. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - September - All FFLs - Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs [PDF - 44.22 KB]

This open letter is to advise the import community of the provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that no longer apply to the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAWs) and to transfer and possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Utah - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.59 MB]

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. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2015 - April - Louisiana - All FFLs - Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 472.3 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2005 - July - All FFLs - Importation of Frames, Receivers or Barrels of Firearms Under Title 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) [PDF - 40.9 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Texas - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.66 MB]

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. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - July - Kansas - All FFLs - Passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act [PDF - 57.54 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance and information related to the passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act, Kansas, effective April 25, 2013.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - May - All FFLs - Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser [PDF - 75.08 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Rhode Island - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.44 MB]

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, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Ohio - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.27 MB]

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, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2016-1 - Requirements to Keep Firearms Records Electronically [PDF - 156.2 KB]

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:

Firearms
Ruling 2015-1 - Manufacturing and Gunsmithing [PDF - 69.18 KB]

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:

Firearms
Ruling 1957-34 - Classification of 4-inch Diameter Barrel Extension [PDF - 230.15 KB]

Classification of a 4-inch diameter barrel extension

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2004-2 - Temporary Importation of Firearms Subject to the NFA [PDF - 350.21 KB]

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:

Firearms

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