Rules Regulations Library
| Document Type | Title and Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Ruling | 2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2006-2 - Classification of Devices Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm
The NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2010-1 - Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee
Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2009-2 - Installation of Drop In Replacement Parts
Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2004-5 - Mini-gun Ruling
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.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers
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).
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2015 - January - Southwest Border FFLs - FFL Burglaries
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to keeping industry members informed of important trends and regulatory developments. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter which briefly addresses burglaries at licensed premises in the greater Houston, Texas, area and offers basic, preventive, methods for combating thefts. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2009 - May - All FFLs - Notice to All NFA Special Taxpayers for Tax Year 2010
The renewal returns for Tax Year 2010 will be mailed by the end of May 2009 to any person who paid the special (occupational) tax (SOT) for Tax Year 2009 to import, manufacture, or deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - July - All FFLs - ATF Releases Revised ATF Form 4473
ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the-Counter (Form 4473) has been revised. This letter highlights the changes to the form. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2014-1 - Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for Law Enforcement and Military
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.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2025-1: Importing Dual-Use Barrels
ATF has determined that federal firearms licensees may lawfully import “dual-use” firearm barrels—barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms—under 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the barrel. Importation may be approved regardless of whether a barrel had been previously configured on non-sporting, military surplus, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. Further, once the barrel is in the United States, ATF has determined that nothing in the statutes prevent a dual-use barrel from being used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or NFA firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) (assembly of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun) and the NFA, 26 U.S.C. chapter 53, as applicable. This Ruling supersedes a November 2005 ATF Open Letter on dual-use barrels. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2025-2: Importing Training Rounds
ATF authorizes the importation of certain marking rounds (“training rounds”) because these training rounds do not meet the definition of “ammunition” as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(17)(A). These items are not designed for offensive and defensive combat and are not “designed for use in any firearm.” Similarly, training rounds are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act because they are not designed for use in any “firearm” as defined in the permanent importation regulations implementing that statute. An importer of training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm may import the rounds without submitting an ATF Form 6, Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 5330.3A). Note, however, less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, is generally considered ammunition. This Ruling only applies to training rounds that are not designed for use in any firearm. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Industry Circular | ATF Industry Circular: 1958-109-Licensing Requirements Under Federal Firearms Act
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. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2022R-17 - Final Rule: Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms
The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Rulemaking | Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) - Final Rule 2021R-05F - Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms
This analysis provides an assessment of the impacts to industry, the public, and government from the changes that are detailed in the final rule titled Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms. This RIA does not attempt to precisely replicate the regulatory language of the final rule; the regulatory text of the published rule, not the text of this analysis, is legally binding. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2006 - January - All FFLs - Certain Firearms Transfers Affected by Change to Atomic Energy Act of 1954
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of a recent change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as it relates to the transfer of certain types of firearms.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2006 - March - All FFLs - Filing National Firearms Act Transaction Forms by Facsimile Transmission
This is to update information regarding the filing of certain National Firearms Act (NFA) forms by facsimile transmission as the functions of the NFA Branch have been relocated to Martinsburg, West Virginia from Washington, D.C. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2004 - October - National - Improperly Destroyed Russian GP-30 Grenade Launcher
The letter provides information on ATF's findings with regards to the improperly destroyed Russian GP-30 grenade launcher, which is classified as a destructive device.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2002 - July - All FFLs - Importer Dealer Sales Samples
This open letter contains information about recent changes that may affect your day-to-day operations and/or long-range plans regarding dealer sales samples of machineguns. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
