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Rules and Regulations Library

Rules Regulations Library

Document Type Title and Description Category
Open Letter 1998 - October - Wisconsin - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.49 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1997 - June - National - All FFLs - Attorney General Brady Law Decision [PDF - 24.8 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to address the Supreme Court's decision regarding that part of the Brady Handgun Control Act is unconstitutional.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - May - All FFLs - Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the VRA [PDF - 42.08 KB]

A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - West Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.89 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the procedure to comply with Federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - January - All FFLs - Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals [PDF - 297.42 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - January - All FFLs - Federal Firearms Licensees Ready Ability [PDF - 237.83 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - July - All FFLs - Third Anniversary of September 11 Attack [PDF - 28.79 KB]

 It will be 3 years this September since America was attacked. We at ATF remain vigilant, but we are requesting your assistance in our national effort to prevent terrorism.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Washington - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.9 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2014 - June - All FELs - Black Powder [PDF - 61.02 KB]

This is an open letter to all federal explosives licensees and permittees in regard to inquiries about black powder exceptions under the federal explosives laws.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 1998 - October - Virginia - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.52 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - September - All FFLs - Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs [PDF - 44.22 KB]

This open letter is to advise the import community of the provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that no longer apply to the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAWs) and to transfer and possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Utah - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.59 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2015 - April - Louisiana - All FFLs - Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 472.3 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2005 - July - All FFLs - Importation of Frames, Receivers or Barrels of Firearms Under Title 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) [PDF - 40.9 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Texas - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.66 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. 18 U.S.C. § 922(t).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - July - Kansas - All FFLs - Passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act [PDF - 57.54 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance and information related to the passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act, Kansas, effective April 25, 2013.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - May - All FFLs - Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser [PDF - 75.08 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Rhode Island - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.44 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - Ohio - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 2.27 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2025 - September - All FFLs - Franklin Armory Letter Clarification [PDF - 158.8 KB]

ATF is committed to full transparency in the classification of firearms. This statement addresses the circumstances and legal landscape surrounding Franklin Armory’s “Antithesis” firearms. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2021 - October - All FELs - E-Nicotine Delivery Systems [PDF - 293.22 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all federal explosives licensees and permittees guidance on the safe storage of explosive materials. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other similar devices, are electronic devices that, through an aerosolized solution, deliver nicotine, flavor, and/or other substances (including non-tobacco products) to the user inhaling from the device. ATF has determined that electronic nicotine delivery systems are spark producing devices. Therefore, they cannot be brought into or within 50 feet of any outdoor explosives storage magazine or within any room containing an indoor magazine.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 1998 - October - Northern Mariana Islands - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.86 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you must follow beginning Oct. 19, 2005, in order to comply with the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 1998 - October - California - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law [PDF - 1.85 MB]

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in California of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2005 - October - Alaska - All FFLs - Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits Marked "NICS Exempt" Qualify as NICS Check Alternative [PDF - 38.9 KB]

This open letter informs Alaska Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, only Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits marked "NICS EXEMPT" will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2004 - January - All FFLs - Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry [PDF - 94.99 KB]

This open letter discusses the importance of the partnerships that have been established between ATF and the firearms industry and to reinforce our joint responsibilities under the Gun Control Act (GCA).

Published/Revised:

Firearms

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