Rules and Regulations Library

A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is a resident of any state or territory which requires that a permit or other authorization be issued prior to possessing or owning a handgun shall submit evidence of compliance with state law when applying to import a handgun.

Published/Revised: February 1, 1974

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.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1974

Published/Revised: November 24, 2010

Published/Revised: June 14, 2012

Published/Revised: May 27, 2008

Published/Revised: July 10, 2013

Published/Revised: July 10, 2013

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.

Published/Revised: March 1, 1973

Licensed firearms or ammunition dealers operating at multiple locations may establish a common expiration date for all licenses.

Published/Revised: January 1, 1973

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. 

Published/Revised: November 30, 2010

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.

Published/Revised: October 20, 2022

Published/Revised: August 1, 2016

Published/Revised: July 14, 2016

Published/Revised: April 29, 2016

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.

Published/Revised: October 18, 2023

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.

Published/Revised: January 9, 2023

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. 

Published/Revised: February 8, 2024

The Department of Justice (“Department”) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (“BSCA”), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Published/Revised: August 30, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this public safety Advisory to the firearms industry and the public to provide information regarding its investigative priorities related to possible willful efforts to violate the requirements of the Gun Control Act (GCA) as implemented by the Final Rule titled Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F) (“Frame or Receiver Final Rule” or the “Final Rule”).1 As with any suspected violations of the GCA, ATF may investigate such activities and, where appropriate, refer them for potential enforcement actions. ATF considers willful violations of the GCA, including the types described in this document, an investigative priority.

Published/Revised: March 21, 2023

ATF would like to remind everyone of applicable regulations concerning consumer fireworks for the Fourth of July. 

Published/Revised: June 27, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is amending the regulations to implement the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Pub. L. 107–296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (enacted Nov. 25, 2002).

Published/Revised: September 25, 2015

This order delegates certain authorities of the Director to subordinate Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials to make determinations on applications for restoration of Federal firearms and/or explosives privileges.

Published/Revised: May 12, 2016

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) intends to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local law enforcement agencies to assist them in providing the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program to school students. This notice also sets forth the intended funding priorities and criteria, as well as the application procedures that ATF will use to select, and award Federal funds to, State and local law enforcement agencies to deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Program.

Published/Revised: January 26, 2016

This order delegates authority to maintain custody and control of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and authority to execute certifications relative thereto.

Published/Revised: May 12, 2016

This order delegates certain authorities of the Director to subordinate Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials to make determinations on applications for relief from Federal firearms and/or explosives disabilities.

Published/Revised: May 12, 2016