Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
1976-6 - Tasers as Firearms (26 KB) A hand-held device designed to expel by means of an explosive two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires attached to a high voltage source in the device classified as a firearm. Firearms Ruling
1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. Firearms Ruling
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
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
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
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
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
1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Firearms Ruling
1982-2 - KG-9 Pistol as NFA Weapon (26 KB) The KG-9 pistol is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act. Firearms Ruling
1982-8 - SM10, SM11A Pistols and SAC Carbines as NFA Weapons (28 KB) The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act. Firearms Ruling
1982-8-Discontinuance of ATF Form 5400.3, for Black Powder (660 KB)

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Explosives Industry Circular
1983-5 - STEN MK II as NFA Weapon (24 KB)
The YAC STEN MK II carbine is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.
Firearms Ruling
1985-10 - Surplus Military Frames or Receivers, Alone, Denied Importation (32 KB) Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation. Firearms Ruling
1985-11-Surplus Military Firearms Frames or Receivers (653 KB)

This circular announces that ATF will allow the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms that were previously prohibited from importation by 18 U.S.C. section 925(d)(3).

Firearms Industry Circular
1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples (29 KB) A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon. Firearms Ruling
1986-15-Armor Piercing Ammunition (841 KB)

This circular announces that the President signed Public Law 99-408, on August 28, 1986.  This law regulates the manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition.

Firearms Industry Circular
1986-8-Curio and Relic Updates (1195 KB)

This circular announces an addition of firearms that have been classified as curios and relics during the period January 1985 through March 1986.

Firearms Industry Circular
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
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
1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon (34 KB) The USAS-12 shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Firearms Ruling
1994-2 - Striker 12 Shotgun Defined as NFA Weapon (35 KB) The Striker-12/Streetsweeper shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Firearms Ruling
1995-3 - 37/38mm Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition are Defined as NFA Weapons (31 KB) 37/38 mm gas/flare guns possessed with cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, or bean bags are classified as destructive devices for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Document Number: Firearms Ruling
1996-2 - Estate Sale Auctioneers and FFL Requirements (32 KB) Auctioneers who regularly conduct consignment-type auctions of firearms, e.g., held every 1-2 months, on behalf of firearms owners where the auctioneer takes possession pursuant to a consignment contract with the owner of the firearms, giving the auctioneer authority to sell the firearms and providing for a commission to be paid upon such sale, are required to obtain a license as a dealer in firearms. Firearms Ruling
1997-2 - Semiautomatic Firearms Resembling the Browning 1919A-4 and A-6 Machineguns (16 KB)

Whether a 1919 A-4 semiautomatic firearm and 1919 A-6 semiautomatic rifle are "portable" firearms subject to tax when sold by their importer or manufacturer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 4181.

Firearms Ruling
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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