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Rules and Regulations Library

Rules Regulations Library

Document Type Title and Description Category
Ruling 2013-2 - NFA Electronic Forms [PDF - 582.32 KB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs, legal entities, and government agencies to file ATF Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.   

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
Rulemaking 2011R-9P - Importation of Defense Articles and Defense Services - U.S. Munitions Import List - April 22, 2013 [PDF - 61.04 KB]

DOJ is amending ATF regulations to remove the cross reference to the regulatory U.S. Munitions List (USML) of the Int'l Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that appears at 27 CFR 447.21; to clarify that the Attorney General (AG) exercises delegated authority pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 13637 to designate defense articles and defense services as part of the  statutory USML for purposes of permanent import controls, regardless of whether the Secretary of State controls such defense articles or defense services for purposes of export and temporary import; and to clarify that defense articles and defense services controlled pursuant to the AG's delegated AECA authority are part of the statutory USML (along with those that are controlled for export and temporary import by the Secretary of State), but that the list of defense articles and defense services controlled by the AG is labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from the list of defense articles and defense services in the ITAR that are controlled by the Secretary of State.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2013 - April - California - All FFLs - Completing ATF Forms 4473 While Complying With Dealer Record of Sale Transaction Procedures [PDF - 42.65 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.

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 2013 - January - All FFLs - Private Firearm Transfers [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 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 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 2016 - January - National - Presidential Memorandum [PDF - 23.71 KB]

Tracing firearms in connection with criminal investigations and improving availability of relevant Executive Brand records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2012 - December - All FFLs - For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov [PDF - 947.46 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2012 - September - All FFLs - Building Positive Working Relationships With Industry Members [PDF - 160.7 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2012 - September - All FELs - Table of Distance Requirements [PDF - 115.1 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.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction [PDF - 68.58 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2012-3 - Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), Electronic Form [PDF - 1.41 MB]

Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the AFMER, ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins [PDF - 73.14 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2012 - April - National - Unmarked Plastic Explosives [PDF - 115.98 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal law enforcement agencies and military components of certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 pertaining to plastic explosives that do not contain a detection agent.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2012 - June - Alaska - Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number [PDF - 99.27 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - December - All FFLs - State of Residence [PDF - 70.01 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - December - All FFLs - Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions [PDF - 66.96 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - November - All FFLs - Recent Changes to Florida State Law [PDF - 62.6 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida state law and to assist federal firearms licensees in complying with federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearm.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - September - All FFLs - Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes [PDF - 56.61 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - November - All FELs - Clarify the Definition of "Display Fireworks" in the Federal Explosives Regulations [PDF - 71.11 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to clarify the definition of "display fireworks" in the federal explosives regulations. 

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2011 - August - All FFLs - Rural Route Address [PDF - 137.78 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide further guidance regarding purchasers who present an identification document bearing a rural route address.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - August - All FFLs - September 11th Anniversary [PDF - 89.4 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.

Published/Revised:

Firearms

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