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Rules and Regulations Library

Rules Regulations Library

Document Type Title and Description Category
Open Letter 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.93 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.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

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - April - Nebraska - Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.21 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2017 - February - South Dakota - Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol [PDF - 33.24 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2019 - October - Minnesota - All FFLs - NICS Background Check Prior to Firearm Transfer to Non-Licensee [PDF - 435.49 KB]

All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2010 - August - All FFLs - Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers [PDF - 100.87 KB]

ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which 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.” 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Concealed Firearm Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.38 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - August - All FELs - September 11 Anniversary [PDF - 59.77 KB]

This open letter is to encourage federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11 approaches. The security of your explosives' storage sites is very important.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2006 - April - All FFLs - Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 [PDF - 31.25 KB]

This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - June - Iowa - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.93 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Act, when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2003 - May - All FELs - Reminder Regarding Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act [PDF - 176.71 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on Jan. 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2003 - June - All FELs - Reminder Regarding the Limited Permit [PDF - 165.35 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2008 - May - Illinois - Illinois Firearms Owner Identification Cards No Longer Qualify as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 1.93 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2008 - May - Nevada- All FFLs - Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon Permits No Longer Qualify as NICS Check Alternative [PDF - 92.51 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Nevada's Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2008 - May - All FFLs - Security Firms Temporarily Assigning Firearms to Unlicensed Employees [PDF - 95.91 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to inform security firms and other persons who have federal firearms licenses (FFLs), and who may temporarily assign firearms to their unlicensed employees in furtherance of legitimate business purposes, of the statutory and regulatory requirements that affect them.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2008 - August - All FFLs - Clarification for FFLs on Obtaining a Marking Variance [PDF - 121.73 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. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - April - All FELs - Importance of Security When Storing or Transporting Explosive Materials [PDF - 63.71 KB]

In response to continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border, the ATF reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2008 - August - South Carolina - All FFLs - Amendment to South Carolina Law Prohibiting Handgun Sales to Persons Under 18 Years of Age [PDF - 103.51 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the recent amendment to Section 16-23-30, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the unlawful sale of handguns to certain person, so as to prohibit the sale of a handgun to persons under eighteen years of age rather than under twenty-one years of age has no effect on federal firearms laws and regulations.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2010 - All FELs - Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) [PDF - 163.52 KB]

This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife. 

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2006 - May - All FFLs - Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun [PDF - 192.32 KB]

This open letter provides information regarding the effect of adding a vertical fore grip to a handgun, therefore making it a firearm that falls under the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2008 - May - All FELs - Notification of Proposed Improvement to Fireworks Recordkeeping Process [PDF - 159.47 KB]

This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2009 - February - All FELs - Explosives Industry Security Checklist [PDF - 220.44 KB]

This advisory is a security checklist of best practices for all Federal explosives licensees and permittees.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2006 - July - Georgia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

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

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2015 - May - Kentucky - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.31 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded.  The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification and guidance on alternative permit procedures that comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady law) for firearms transfers to unlicensed persons in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2006 - July - Kentucky - Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 35.19 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Kentucky Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDWL) issued on or after July 12, 2006, will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2006 - January - All FFLs - Change to Look of Federal Firearms License [PDF - 49.73 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a change to the look of the Federal firearms license (FFL) beginning Jan. 12, 2006, in response to feedback received from licensees.

Published/Revised:

Firearms

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