Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
Public Advisory to All Michigan FFLs 03-03-20 (567 KB)

The purpose of this public safety advisory is to advise all Michigan federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of an important change to the procedure they must follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady law), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sept2011-Open Letter-Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (57 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to Federal firearms laws.
Firearms Open Letter
Franklin Armory - Dec2019 - Open Letter - Franklin Armory Reformation Firearm (1116 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATP) has received questions from industry members and the general public regarding a new type of firearm produced by the Franklin Armory®. This 'firearm, known as the "Reformation", utilizes a barrel that is produced with straight lands and grooves. This design contrasts with conventional rifling, in which the barrel's lands and grooves are spiral or twisted, and are designed to impart a spin onto the projectile.

Firearms 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
2007-2 - Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks (74 KB)
Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.
Explosives Ruling
2007-1 - Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form (21 KB)
Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.
Explosives Ruling
AG Order No. 3607-2016 - Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition - Reporting Theft or Loss of Firearms in Transit (700 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concerning the statutory reporting requirement for firearms that have been stolen or lost. The final rule specifies that when a federal firearms licensee (FFL) discovers a firearm it shipped was stolen or lost in transit, the transferor/sender FFL must report the theft or loss to ATP and to the appropriate local authorities within 48 hours of discovery.

Firearms Ruling
2009-2 - Installation of Drop In Replacement Parts (15 KB)
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.
Firearms Ruling
ATF Industry Circular 72-4: Implementation on the National Environmental Policy Act (137 KB)

This Revenue Procedure sets out procedures for furnishing environmental information concerning proposed activities for which applications, notices, bonds, and formulas (hereinafter referred to as applications) are filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 72-30: Identification of Personal Firearms at Premises (361 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to urge licensed firearms dealers to identify their personal collection of firearms kept at the business premises.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 74-13: Verification of Identity and Status of Firearms Transferees (500 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to remind firearms dealers, manufacturers, and importers of the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and Subpart F of the Regulations thereunder (26 CFR 178) pertaining to sales or deliveries of firearms or ammunition between licensees.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 75-8: Multiple Sales of Pistols (3797 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of the specific provisions of revised regulations that require a Federal firearms licensee to make a report of a multiple sale or other disposition of pistols and revolvers.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 75-9: Recodification (619 KB)

This circular is to advise industry members and others concerned that, effective April 15, 1975, Bureau regulations formerly codified as 26 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter E--Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes) have been recodified into the Bureau's reserved Title 27 CFR Parts 170 through 299 (Subchapter M-Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Excise Taxes). This recodification merely relocates the regulations and makes no technical changes in requirements.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 76-3: Explosives Security (579 KB)

Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and others concerned:  On December 29, 1975, a bomb-blast ripped through New York's LaGuardia airport, killing 11 persons and injuring some 15 others. This tragic incident is but the latest in an alarming upward spiral of bombings that have occurred in cities, suburban communities, small towns and rural areas across America in recent years.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 77-11: Theft or Loss of Explosives (475 KB)

This circular is to inform those involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage or use of explosives that ATF Ruling77-13, which deals with reporting theft or loss of explosive materials, was published in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Fireanns Bulletin for May 1977.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 79-4: National Conference on Explosives Control (356 KB)

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives Control to be held at the Fountain Bay Hotel, in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 25-27, 1979.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 81-5: National Conference on Explosives Control (215 KB)

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives to be held at the Bahia Hotel, in San Diego, California, May 19-21, 1981.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 83-9: Three Year Firearms Licenses (499 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to inform you of a Treasury decision effective August 1, 1983, T.D. ATF - 135(48 FR 24065), implementing a three year firearms license.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 84-3: Armed and Dangerous Notification (852 KB)

The Bureau of ATF is investigating the criminal activities of a group of violent criminals known as the Sam Melville/Jonathan Jackson Brigade. This group is known for its violent acts, including the illegal use of firearms and explosives.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 84-10: Sales of Firearms by FFLs at Gun Shows (236 KB)

All Federal Firearms Licensees and Others Concerned: This is to notify you that as a result of a formal process which began on April 22, 1980, the regulations have been changed (effective November 29, 1984), to allow licensees to engage in business at gun shows held within the same State as the licensed premises.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 86-12: Explosives Security (193 KB)

With the recent upsurge of terrorism in the world and particularly threats of terrorist activity in the United States, it is timely to again stress the importance of security for explosives.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 91-1: Explosives Security (1555 KB)

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members of serious problems with storage of explosives which may pose a danger to the public, and to alert industry members to the possibility of theft of explosives by terrorists because of the deteriorating Mideast situation.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 95-1: Diversion of Distilled Spirits (52 KB)

This circular reminds proprietors of distilled spirits plants (DSPs), importers, wholesalers and other persons who purchase distilled spirits products from DSPs of their responsibility to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws with respect to such sales.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 2000-4: Sale Of Certain Tobacco Products And Cigarette Papers And Tubes On Or After February 7, 2001 (34 KB)

This industry circular warns businesses about selling or holding for sale tobacco products and cigarette papers or tubes manufactured in the United States and labeled for exportation. On or after February 7, 2001, if you sell or hold for sale such products for domestic consumption, you may incur civil and criminal penalties.

Resource Center Industry Circular
ATF Industry Circular 93-5: Tax-Exempt and Tax-Free Sales of Firearms, Shells and Cartridges (827 KB) This circular gives general guidance to firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers about making tax-exempt or tax-free sales of firearms, and shells and cartridges (ammunition). Resource Center Industry Circular
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