Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort ascending Description Category Document Type
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-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-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-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-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-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 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 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 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-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-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-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-Nov2011-Open Letter-Clarify the Definition of "display fireworks" in the Federal Explosives Regulations (72 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to clarify the definition of "display fireworks" in the Federal explosives regulations. 
Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Nov2010-Open Letter-Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) (164 KB)
This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife.
Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Nov2002-Open Letter-Safe Explosives Act Provisions for Blasting/Mining Educators (203 KB)
This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act
Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Nov2002-Open Letter-Enacted Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (303 KB) The purpose of this letter is to provide you information on the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (the Act), which was enacted on November 25, 2002. Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Nov2001-Open Letter-Notification of Undelivered Correspondence to ATF (100 KB) This open letter is to notify all Federal firearms licensees and Federal explosives licensees and permitees that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has not received mail since October 25, 2001. Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Nov 2023-Notification for Previously Exempted Special Explosive Devices (SECs) (238 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-May2008-Open Letter-Notification of Proposed Improvement to Fireworks Recordkeeping Process (160 KB)

This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks.

Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-May2003-Open Letter-Reminder Regarding Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (177 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to remind all Federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on January 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.
Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-May2002-Open Letter-ATF Asks that Explosives Licensees and Permittees Remain Vigilant When Selling Explosive Materials (102 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.
Explosives Open Letter
All FELs-Mar2011-Open Letter-Exemption of Tribal Display Materials (70 KB)
This open letter is to all Federally recognized Indian tribes and Explosives licensees and permittees and  provides guidance regarding the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010.  The law created an exemption for federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal agencies from provisions of the Federal explosives laws with respect to display fireworks.
Explosives Open Letter
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