Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 1974-20 - Disposition of Replacement Firearms (108 KB) | Form 4473 shall not be required to record disposition of a like replacement firearm when such firearm is delivered by a licensee to the person from whom the malfunctioning or damaged firearm was received, provided such disposition is recorded in the licensee’s permanent records. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1974-8 - NFA Firearms for Official Use Only (68 KB) | When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2011-2 - Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines (85 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers (182 KB) |
The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
2004-5 - Minigun Ruling (941 KB) |
The 7.62mm Aircraft Machine Gun, identified in the U.S. military inventory as the "M-134" (Army), "GAU-2B/A" (Air Force), and "GAU-17/A" (Navy), is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Rev. Rul. 55-528 modified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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2002-5 - Transfer and Possession Machineguns (12 KB) | Applications to transfer two (2) machineguns of a particular model to a Federal firearms licensee as sales samples will be approved if documentation shows necessity for demonstration to government agencies. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2001-5 - Identification of Transferee (18 KB) | Licensees may accept a combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification document requirements of the Brady Act under certain conditions. An active duty member of the Armed Forces is a resident of the State in which his or her permanent duty station is located, and may satisfy the identification document requirement by presenting his or her military identification card along with official orders showing the permanent duty station as within the State where the licensed premises are located. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2004-2 - Temporary Importation of Firearms Subject to the NFA (351 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. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building (17 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway (12 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines (11 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling (86 KB) |
ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling (11 KB) |
ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with State and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2016-1- Requirements to Keep Firearms Records Electronically (157 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. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2016-2 – Electronic ATF Form 4473 (160 KB) |
Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs to use an electronic version of Form 4473, instead of the paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. Supersedes ATF Rul. 2008-3.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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2016-4 – Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to CBP (56 KB) |
ATF Ruling 2016-4 - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Procedure 2017-1 - Facilitating Non-FFL Transfers of Firearms (74 KB) |
The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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atf-ruling-2018-1.pdf (90 KB) |
ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically 7 rulings, 1 procedure, and 59 open letters. The following documents listed, in the order in which they were issued: Revenue Ruling 69-114; ATF Ruling 75-30; ATF Ruling 7-13; ATF Ruling 77-25; ATF Ruling 77-26; ATF Ruling 80-22; ATF Ruling 80-23; ATF Procedure 80-7; 53 Open letters dated February 1994; Open Letter to all federally licensed importers and manufacturers dated August 22, 2001; Open Letter to All Federal firearms and explosives licensees dated November 20, 2001; Open Letter to all Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees dated February 12, 2003; Open Letter to all FFLs dated August 31, 2006; Open Letter to all FFLs dated November 4, 2008; and Open Letter to Washington FFL's dated August 12, 2011.
| Resource Center | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 90-1 - Identification Number for Special Occupational Taxpayer (296 KB) |
The purpose of this ATF procedure is to inform federal firearms licensees who have paid the special (occupational) tax to import, manufacture, or deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms of the discontinuance of the use of the ATF Identification Number and the replacement with the use of the Employer Identification Number (EIN) on all NFA transaction forms.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 75-3: Recordkeeping for drop shipments (249 KB) |
This ATF Procedure sets forth the recordkeeping procedures for "drop shipments" of firearms (other than National Firearms Act firearms as defined in section 5845(a) of Chapter 53, Title 26, U.S.C.) and ammunition between federally licensed firearms dealers, importers, and manufacturers.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1976-24-State of Residency of Armed Service Members (782 KB) |
A member of the Armed Forces on active duty is a resident of the State in which his permanent duty station is located. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1987-1-Revoking 68 Obsolete ATF Rulings (398 KB) |
Periodic review of outstanding rulings reflect the that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1987-2--Revoking 44 obsolete ATF Rulings (260 KB) |
Periodic review of outstanding rulings reflect the that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1955-342 - FFLS Assembling Firearms from Component Parts (173 KB) |
A dealer who engages in the business of assembling firearms from component parts for purposes of sale or distribution in interstate or foreign commerce must be licensed as a manufacturer of firearms, pursuant to provisions of the Federal Firearms Act. The manufacturer’s excise tax is imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1934 on the sale of firearms so produced. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1958-109-Licensing Requirements Under Federal Firearms Act (328 KB) |
Any person engaged in the business of selling firearms or pistol or revolver ammunition which are received in interstate commerce, either directly or indirectly, must obtain a Federal Firearms license. | Firearms | Ruling |