Rules and Regulations Library

The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act.

Published/Revised: June 21, 1982

Published/Revised: January 1, 1983

Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation.

Published/Revised: August 29, 1985

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.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1994

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.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1996

Recordkeeping requirements for Title I firearms from which parts are salvaged for use in repairing firearms are clarified.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1976

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.

Published/Revised: May 1, 1976

When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1974

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.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1997

The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b).

Published/Revised: November 1, 1981

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.

Published/Revised: June 1, 1975

Published/Revised: September 12, 1975

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.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1981

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.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1980

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.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1980

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.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1980

Published/Revised: June 3, 1977

The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1977

A firearms licensee may continue operations until his renewal application for a license is finally acted upon.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1975

Published/Revised: June 26, 1975

Published/Revised: June 26, 1975

Firearms or ammunition may not be sold at gun shows by a licensed dealer, but orders may be taken under specified conditions.

Published/Revised: May 22, 2015

DOJ is amending ATF regulations to remove the cross reference to the regulatory U.S. Munitions List (USML) of the Int'l Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that appears at 27 CFR 447.21; to clarify that the Attorney General (AG) exercises delegated authority pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 13637 to designate defense articles and defense services as part of the  statutory USML for purposes of permanent import controls, regardless of whether the Secretary of State controls such defense articles or defense services for purposes of export and temporary import; and to clarify that defense articles and defense services controlled pursuant to the AG's delegated AECA authority are part of the statutory USML (along with those that are controlled for export and temporary import by the Secretary of State), but that the list of defense articles and defense services controlled by the AG is labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from the list of defense articles and defense services in the ITAR that are controlled by the Secretary of State.

Published/Revised: April 22, 2013

The Department of Justice proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to clarify definitions of two categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The proposed rule would clarify that the statutory term "adjudicated as a mental defective" includes persons who are found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, lack of mental responsibility, or insanity, and that the term includes persons found guilty but mentally ill.

Published/Revised: January 7, 2014

This industry circular warns businesses about selling or holding for sale tobacco products and cigarette papers or tubes manufactured in the United States and labeled for exportation. On or after Feb. 7, 2001, if you sell or hold for sale such products for domestic consumption, you may incur civil and criminal penalties.

Published/Revised: November 19, 2019