Rules Regulations Library
| Document Type | Title and Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Rulemaking | 2018R–22F - Bump-Stock-Type-Devices - Dec. 26, 2018
The Department of Justice is amending the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulations to clarify that “bump fire” stocks, slide-fire devices, and devices with certain similar characteristics (“bump-stock-type devices”) are “machineguns” as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), because such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | ATF Ruling 2018-1- Revoking Certain Guidance Documents
ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically 7 rulings, 1 procedure, and 59 open letters. The following documents listed, in the order in which they were issued: Revenue Ruling 69-114; ATF Ruling 75-30; ATF Ruling 7-13; ATF Ruling 77-25; ATF Ruling 77-26; ATF Ruling 80-22; ATF Ruling 80-23; ATF Procedure 80-7; 53 Open letters dated February 1994; Open Letter to all federally licensed importers and manufacturers dated August 22, 2001; Open Letter to All Federal firearms and explosives licensees dated November 20, 2001; Open Letter to all Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees dated February 12, 2003; Open Letter to all FFLs dated August 31, 2006; Open Letter to all FFLs dated November 4, 2008; and Open Letter to Washington FFL's dated August 12, 2011. Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Rulemaking | 2010R-26P - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War and Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms, Extending the Term of Import Permits - Feb. 7, 2014
This rule amends the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the standard term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2017-1 - Revoking Certain Guidance Documents
ATF is revoking several guidance documents: specifically three rulings, one procedure, and two industry circulars. ATF Procedure 75-4: Procedure incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; Industry Circular 75-10: Industry Circular incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; ATF Ruling 85-3: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; Industry Circular 85-3: Industry circular made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; ATF Ruling 2001-1: Ruling made unnecessary and obsolete as the registration period ended May 1, 2001.: ATF Ruling 2004-1: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 27 CFR 478.11 (definition of "State of residence").
Published/Revised: |
Workforce and Mission |
| Form | Application for Alternate Means of Identification of Firearm(s) (Marking Variance) - ATF E-Form 3311.4
Application for Alternate Means of Identification of Firearm(s) (Marking Variance) - ATF E-Form 3311.4 Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | ATF Procedure 2017-1 - Facilitating Non-FFL Transfers of Firearms
The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Industry Circular | Youth Handgun Safety Act Notice - ATF I 5300.2
Federal law prohibits, except in certain limited circumstances, anyone under 18 years of age from knowingly possessing a handgun, or any person from selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under 18. A knowing violation of the prohibition against selling, delivering, or otherwise transferring a handgun to a person under the age of 18 is, under certain circumstances, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Form | Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported - ATF Form 2 (5320.2)
This form is used by qualified federal firearms licensees to report the manufacture or importation of an NFA firearm. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2017 - February - South Dakota - Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol
The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Form | Fingerprint Card Instructions and Example - FD-258
This is a sample fingerprint card (FD-258) that is used when applying for a federal firearms license. This card can be order from the ATF Distribution Center online or by calling 703-870-7526 or 703-870-7528. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| General Notice | List of Explosive Materials - 2009
Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Removes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| General Notice | List of Explosive Materials - 2013
Notice of List of Explosive Materials. One addition: Black powder substitutes Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| General Notice | List of Explosive Materials - 2003
Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Two additions: Tetrazole explosives, and Ammonium perchlorate having particle size less than 15 microns. Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Ruling | 2016-5 - Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors
ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Ruling | 2016-4 - Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
ATF authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. CBP an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| General Notice | Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice Patriot Act Consultation Letter
The Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice, invited Federally recognized tribes to consult with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the implications of ATF's pending final rule, implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco.
Published/Revised: |
Alcohol & Tobacco |
| General Notice | Response to Tribal Consultations on the Implementation of Certain Provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act Relating to Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco
The Department of Justice's response to comments received from the federally recognized tribes after consultation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the implications of ATF's pending final rule, implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco. Published/Revised: |
Alcohol & Tobacco |
| Open Letter | 2016 - June - West Virginia - All FFLs - HB4145
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance concerning West Virginia House Bill (HB) 4145 as it concerns the provisional licenses made eligible to West Virginia residents aged 18-20. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2016 - May - National - All Chief Law Enforcement Officers of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies
On Jan. 15, 2016, ATF published in the Federal Register a final rule entitled "Machineguns, Destructive Devices and Certain Other Firearms; Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity with Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm." This final rule is effective on July 13, 2016, and amends the regulations governing the making and transfer of firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Rulemaking | 2008R-15P - Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings - Final Rule
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This rule clarifies that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts and arguments for review and consideration during the hearing, and may make offers of settlement before and after the hearing. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Rulemaking | 2014–02580 - Final Rule - Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War and Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms; Extending the Term of Import Permits (2010R–26P) - Feb. 7, 2014
This rule amends the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to extend the standard term of import permits for firearms, ammunition, and defense articles from 1 year to 2 years. The additional time will allow importers sufficient time to complete the importation of the authorized commodity. In addition, it will eliminate the need for the importer to submit a new import application, ATF Form 6, where the importation was not completed within the 1-year period. Extending the term of import permits will result in a substantial cost and time savings for both the industry and ATF, and will not cause any discernible adverse effects. This rulemaking proceeding is included in the Department of Justice’s retrospective review plan developed pursuant to Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.’’ Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Rulemaking | 2014–06778 - Interim Final Rule - Importation of Arms, Ammunition & Defense Articles—Removal of Certain Defense Articles Currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List That No Longer Warrant Import Control Under the Arms Export Control Act - March 27, 2014
The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Public Advisory | Notice 2014R-15N - ATF Framework for Determining Whether Certain Projectiles are Primarily Intended for Sporting Purposes
ATF Framework for Determining Whether Certain Projectiles are "Primarily Intended for Sporting Purposes" Within the Meaning of 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17)(C). Comments are due on or before March 16, 2015. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| General Notice | Delegation Order - Authority to Make Determinations on Applications for Restoration of Federal Firearms and/or Explosives
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: |
Workforce and Mission |
| General Notice | Delegation Order - Authority to Maintain the National Firearms Registration Transfer Record
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: |
Firearms |
