Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 ATF Ruling 2025-1: Importing Dual-Use Barrels (306 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has determined that federal firearms licensees (FFLs) may lawfully import “dual-use” firearm barrels—barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms—under 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the barrel. Importation may be approved regardless of whether a barrel had been previously configured on non-sporting, military surplus, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Further, once the barrel is in the United States, ATF has determined that nothing in the statutes prevent a dual-use barrel from being used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or NFA firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) (assembly of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun) and the NFA, 26 U.S.C. chapter 53, as applicable. This Ruling supersedes a November 2005 ATF Open Letter on dual- use barrels. | Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Ruling 2025-2: Importing Training Rounds (363 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) authorizes the importation of certain marking rounds (“training rounds”) because these training rounds do not meet the definition of “ammunition” as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A). These items are not designed for offensive and defensive combat and are not “designed for use in any firearm.” Similarly, training rounds are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) because they are not designed for use in any “firearm” as defined in the permanent importation regulations implementing that statute. An importer of training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm may import the rounds without submitting an ATF Form 6, Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 5330.3A). Note, however, less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, is generally considered ammunition. This Ruling only applies to training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm. | Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Final Rule - Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms (2812 KB) |
The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker. | Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Ruling 2023-2 Commercial Records (540 KB) |
This ruling authorizes licensed explosives importers, manufacturers and dealers to maintain commercial records instead of a separate record as a permanent record of acquisitions, distributions/dispositions, and use of explosive materials. | Explosives | Ruling |
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2023-1 - Electronic Explosives Records Ruling (378 KB) |
ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees to maintain their explosives records electronically instead of in paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. | Explosives | Ruling |
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2016-5 – Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors (93 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1967-306 - Reactivate Unserviceable Firearms (156 KB) |
A licensed manufacturer who also paid special (occupational) tax under the National Firearms Act may reactivate an unserviceable firearm for the purpose of sale or other disposition without incurring firearms “making” tax liability. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2022-2 - Remote Avalanche Control Devices (237 KB) |
ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and State and local government agencies conducting avalanche control/mitigation activities, to store explosives in remote avalanche control systems, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. | Explosives | Ruling |
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2022-01 - Electronic Storage of Forms 4473.pdf (227 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure from the provisions of Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 478.121, 478.124, 478.129, and 27 CFR 479.131 that require Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to retain the ATF Firearms Transaction Record, Form 4473 (5300.9) (Form 4473), in a paper format. Specifically, ATF authorizes FFLs to retain an electronic version of each ATF Form 4473 created pursuant to ATF Ruling 2016-2 (or subsequent ruling), instead of the paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. Additionally, ATF authorizes digital scanning and electronic retention of certain paper ATF Form 4473, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1975-27 - Renewed Federal Firearms License Conduct of Business (67 KB) | A firearms licensee may continue operations until his renewal application for a license is finally acted upon. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1973-19 - Bonafide Firearms Consultants and Business Premises (73 KB) | Because of the nature of operations conducted by a consultant or expert, he shall not be required to have business premises open to the general public or to have regular business hours. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1973-9 - Federal Firearms Licensees at Multiple Locations and Common Expiration Dates (28 KB) | Licensed firearms or ammunition dealers operating at multiple locations may establish a common expiration date for all licenses. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-9 - Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications (35 KB) |
Persons holding a valid Federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. Such persons who are authorized under ATF Ruling 2003-6 to file eForm 6, may submit digitally scanned copies of the original supporting statements and documents with eForm 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) | The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). | Firearms | Ruling |
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2015-1 - Manufacturing and Gunsmithing (70 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. A business (including an association or society) may not avoid the manufacturing license, marking, and recordkeeping requirements of the GCA by allowing persons to perform manufacturing processes on firearms (including frames or receivers) using machinery or equipment under its dominion and control where that business controls access to, and use of, such machinery or equipment. ATF Ruling 2010-10 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1975-21 - Construction of Storage Facilities by the Department of Defense - Concrete Floors (14 KB) |
Certain explosives storage facilities meeting standards of construction prescribed by the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board are approved
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) | The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1977-24 - Storage Compartments on Vehicles (40 KB) |
Alternate magazine construction standards for storage of electric blasting caps with other explosive materials are prescribed.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1980-20 - Rifle Bore Tasers as Firearms (24 KB) | A hand-held device with a hand grip bent at an angle to the bore and having a rifled bore which is designed to expel, by means of an explosive, two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires to a high voltage source within the device is classified as a firearm. ATF Rul. 76-6 is amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1980-21 - Identification of State of Residency for Out-of-State College Students (23 KB) | An out-of-State college student may establish residence in a State by residing and maintaining a home in a college dormitory or in a location off-campus during the school term. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1980-8 - Importation of Surplus Military Firearms for Law Enforcement (25 KB) | Applications to import surplus military firearms or nonsporting firearms or ammunition for individual law enforcement officers for official use must be accompanied by the agency’s purchase order. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1981-3 - Importation of Firearms Acquired Outside the U.S. by U.S. Citizens (30 KB) | Nonresident U.S. citizens returning to the United States and nonresident aliens lawfully immigrating to the United States may obtain a permit to import firearms acquired outside of the United States, provided such firearms may be lawfully imported. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2003-5 - Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees (50 KB) |
Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1975-31 - Meaning of the Terms "Engaged in the Business" (13 KB) |
Explosives manufacturer license required for certain companies that manufacture explosive materials for use in their own operations.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1975-7 - Small Caliber Penguns (51 KB) | A small caliber weapon ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances, or pyrotechnic signals, which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, classified as a firearm. | Firearms | Ruling |