Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
2010-6 - State of Residence (98 KB)
For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular State, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that State. The intention must be demonstrated to a Federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.
Firearms Ruling
2010-7 - Perforating Gun Storage (86 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Explosives Ruling
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
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
2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines (98 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.
Explosives Ruling
2011-4 - Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols (83 KB)
Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a  firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).
Firearms Ruling
2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins (74 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met
Explosives Ruling
2012-3 - AFMER Electronic Form (1442 KB)
Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 
Firearms Ruling
2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction (69 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Explosives Ruling
2013-1 - Electronic Form 6 and 6A (2323 KB)
Approved alternate method or procedure for individuals, Federal firearms licensees, and registered importers of articles enumerated on the U.S. Munitions Import List (USMIL) to file ATF Form 6 - Part I and Form 6A electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.  Supersedes ATF Rulings 2003-6 and 2010-9.
Firearms Ruling
2013-2 - NFA Electronic Forms (583 KB)
Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs, legal entities, and government agencies to file ATF Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.   
Firearms Ruling
2014-1 - Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for LE and Military (49 KB)
A manufacturer licensed and qualified under the GCA and NFA may manufacture and maintain an inventory of machine guns for future sale to federal, state, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machine guns are properly registered, and their subsequent transfer is conditioned upon and restricted to the sale or distribution of such weapons for the official use of federal, state, or local government agencies. A manufacturer may deliver machine guns it has manufactured to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing process; provided, the first manufacturer maintains continuous dominion or control over the machine guns. A manufacturer may transfer machine guns it has manufactured for present or future sale to a federal, state, or local government agency to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing processes or storage; provided, the manufacturer has a specific government contract or official written request documenting that it is an agent of the government agency requesting and authorizing such transfer. ATF Ruling 2004-2 is clarified.
Firearms Ruling
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
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
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
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
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
2017-1-Revoking Certain Guidance Documents (283 KB)
ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically three rulings, one procedure, and two industry circulars.  ATF Procedure 75-4: Procedure incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; Industry Circular 75-10: Industry Circular incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; ATF Ruling 85-3: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; Industry Circular 85-3: Industry circular made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; ATF Ruling 2001-1: Ruling made unnecessary and obsolete as the registration period ended May 1, 2001.: ATF Ruling 2004-1: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 27 CFR 478.11 (definition of "State of residence").
Resource Center Ruling
2021R-05 - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Definition of Frame or Receiver (1383 KB) Rules and Regulations Rulemaking
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
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
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
AG 3608-2016: Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity With Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm (4940 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This final rule defines the term "responsible person," as used in reference to a trust, partnership, association, company, or corporation; requires responsible persons of such trusts or legal entities to complete a specified form and to submit photographs and fingerprints when the trust or legal entity files an application to make an NFA firearm or is listed as the transferee on an application to transfer an NFA firearm; requires that a copy of all applications to make or transfer a firearm, and the specified form for responsible persons, as applicable, be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) of the locality in which the applicant/transferee or responsible person is located; and eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the CLEO. These provisions provide a public safety benefit as they ensure that responsible persons undergo background checks.

Firearms Ruling
AG Order 2650-2003: Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 21 (60 KB)

The Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA), is exempting a Privacy Act system of records entitled ‘‘Executive Clemency Case Files/Executive Clemency Tracking System (JUSTICE/OPA–001)’’ from subsections (c)(3), (c)(4), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), and (e)(5) of the Privacy Act. Information in this system relates to the investigation and evaluation of applicants for executive clemency and case-related correspondence regarding such applicants and the clemency process.

Resource Center Ruling
AG Order No. 3607-2016 - Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition - Reporting Theft or Loss of Firearms in Transit (700 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concerning the statutory reporting requirement for firearms that have been stolen or lost. The final rule specifies that when a federal firearms licensee (FFL) discovers a firearm it shipped was stolen or lost in transit, the transferor/sender FFL must report the theft or loss to ATP and to the appropriate local authorities within 48 hours of discovery.

Firearms Ruling
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