Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
All FELs-Oct2021-Open Letter-E-Nicotine Delivery Systems (294 KB)

The purpose of this 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.

Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Sep2012-Open Letter-Building Positive Working Relationships with Industry Members (179 KB) This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all Federal firearms licensees and all Federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public. Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Sept2001-Open Letter-Heightened Security Precautions Request for Explosives Licensees and Permittees (101 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of heightened security precautions that should be taken in light of the events of September 11, 2001. Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Sept2005-Open Letter-Hurricane Katrina Damaged Areas (141 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide procedures to Federal explosives licensees and permittees affected by Hurricane Katrina. 

Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Sept2012-Open Letter-Table of Distance Requirements (116 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide information regarding ATF revisiting its guidelines for the application of the tables of distances for the storage of certain explosive materials.
Explosives Open Letter
All FFLs - Jan 2023 - Open Letter - Machinegun Dealer Sales Sample Letters (219 KB)

Open letter to the Federal firearms licensee (FFL) community to advise on the restrictions and parameters of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), which generally prohibits the possession or transfer of machineguns imported or manufactured after May 19, 1986, with limited exceptions.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs - July 2023 - Open Letter - Safe Storage (206 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLS - October 2024 - Open Letter - Allowable Activities for Firearms Brought into Customs Bonded Warehouses and Foreign Trade Zones (328 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to remind affected persons of the Gun Control Act (GCA), National Firearms Act (NFA), and Arms Export Control Act (AECA), and associated federal regulations as they apply to firearms brought into Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBWs) and Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs)

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs Jun 2008 - Open Letter - Clarification for Firearms Importers on the Importablility of Firearms Barrels (179 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federally licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles and clarification on the importability of firearms barrels under 18 U.S.C § 925(d)(3).

Rules and Regulations Open Letter
All FFLs-Apr2001-Open Letter-End of Registration Period for Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and USAS-12 Shotguns (88 KB)
On February 9, 2001, ATF published a ruling that establishes a final deadline and ends the registration period for individuals who are currently in possession of the Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and the USAS-12 shotguns. The registration period for these shotguns will expire on May 1, 2001.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Apr2006-Open Letter-Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 (32 KB)
This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for “any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.”
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2005-Open Letter-Extension of Time to Effect Importation of Approved Permits for Frames, Receivers or Barrels (34 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide important updated information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Clarification for FFLs on Obtaining a Marking Variance (122 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR § 478.92. 
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Guidelines for Natural Disasters (121 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide you guidance on certain regulatory requirements and voluntary security measures, as well as recommended guidelines for securing and moving firearms records and inventory in the event of a natural disaster.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2010-Open Letter-Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers (101 KB)
This open letter contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.”
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-Rural Route Address (138 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide further guidance regarding purchasers who present an identification document bearing a Rural Route address.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-September 11th Anniversary (90 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to encourage all Federal firearms licensees to increase their awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2002-Open Letter-Homeland Security Act of 2002 - ATF Moves to the Department of Justice (26 KB) The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information on a provision of the recently enacted Homeland Security Act of 2002. This provision moves most of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice effective January 24, 2003. Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2004-Open Letter-Establishment of the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System's Voluntary Appeal File (15 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System's (NICS) Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) has been established.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions (67 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms related to nonimmigrant alien provisions of the Gun Control Act.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-State of Residence (71 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department of Justice's conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2012-Open Letter-For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov (948 KB)
This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2022-Open Letter-Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete Polymer80, Lone Wolf, and Similar Semiautomatic Pistol Frames (805 KB)

ATF is issuing this open letter to assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” frame of a Polymer80, Lone Wolf, or similar semiautomatic, striker-fired pistol (sometimes generally referred to as “Glock-type” pistols) has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional frame, and is therefore classified as a “frame” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F).

Rules and Regulations Open Letter
All FFLs-Jan2001-Open Letter-"Do's" and "Don'ts" for Curio or Relic Firearms Collectors (114 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to apprise Federally licensed collectors of pertinent regulations of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).  In this letter are some major “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for collectors that are based on these provisions.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Jan2004-Open Letter-Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry (95 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). Firearms Open Letter
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